SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR.....

[hot-in-texas]

You can do it! You're of to a running start! That lemon water is going to be refreshing, you are doing good things for your body.
What kind of chicken to you have?
Do you like cabbage or squash or zucchini? Those veggies cooked can help you feel satisfied at dinner, and you could cook them in bacon fat.

[giggles4me]

On Sundays I cook skinless chicken breast in my crock pot so that I have it ready for the whole week. I know I don't like cabbage, but I have never tried squash or zucchini. I guess I should start.

[LadyKT]

I don't know if you are a nut eater at all, but I love larabars for stuff like this. (i'm not sure if i'm allowed to describe them here google larabar and you'll see what I mean)

HTH!

[hot-in-texas]

if you don't like cabbage you might not like the squash either. you could have a green salad with full fat dressing, and or avocado, and or bacon

[LoCarbGal]

Jeanne, it sounds like you are on the right track. Giving it up altogether may be your best bet for now. It seems like for me, I'm either all in, or all out. Giving up all grains and sugar when I was on Atkins did help me. Once I got over the initial hump, I didn't want it at all for months and months. When a family member's birthday rolled around, I stressed about eating dessert because I didn't really want it, but felt I needed to join in. Weird. I wish you luck with this!

PJ, you ARE such a caring and sweet person! I know what you mean about being taken wrong sometimes IRL. I have had that happen more times than I like to recall. It's so frustrating because you mean well, but it isn't taken that way. Sometimes it must be us, but other times I think it's just as likely to be the other person's wonky perception. Don't you feel bad anymore! We love you and this board wouldn't be quite as fun, informative, or supportive without you!

[hot-in-texas]

I agree Jenny! I have always found you to be sweet knowledgabele and enthusiastic-all good qualities in my mind

[DD80]

Darn - I wrote a big post and it's gone now.

Basically, to stop sugar cravings, I find that I simply must limit sugar intake. I try to eat organic, whole foods as much as possible. That limits a lot of the crap (which I don't want to eat because the chemicals/crap in them makes me sick). I have allowed "sweets" - dark chocolate and cinnamon almonds - but I can only have 1-2 servings per day in order to not feel deprived. They do not trigger the sugar monster in me. I can have other sweets, but limit them to "special occasions." Knownig I can have them if I want them is enough along with the knowledge that I do not want to unleash the sugar beast.

I keep track of my calories and bring my food with me to work. That way, I know my limits and I always have the ability to choose something healthier. If I know there will be cookies at work, I have my dark chocolate IF the mood strikes me - key word is "if." I don't have to eat it. I'm learning to recognize actual hunger signals...something I never did before. I also don't let my hunger get away from me during the day - that can lead to problems! I snack on something at a meal time even if I'm not hungry (like an apple) because if I haven't eaten at all, once the hunger comes, it is powerful!

Also, give yourself credit for the small accomplishments - the every day, every hour accomplishments. Like when you don't eat any sweets at the office party - that is HUGE! It feels good to acknowledge that even though it might seem like nothing to someone else, that is something that is SO DIFFICULT for me. I've always given into the "just 1 -2 won't hurt me" way of thinking. If I've eaten all my calories for the day and I am "starving" for something and I don't eat anything - WOW! ANother huge accomplishment! Just the fact that I got involved with something else and forgot about my hunger is huge! My hunger was always an emergency.

I've learned a few things too - like nuts/sweet (i.e. fat with a litte carb) is great for me in the morning when my hunger is the strongest. Knowing what satisfies me is a huge step. (Trio bars are my favorite thing in the world!)

Lastly, I READ READ READ. Anything I can about emotional eating, diets, and even eating disorders. I read books and websites. I take what works for me, and discard the rest, but it has been so important.

Hope you find what works for you!

[piratejenny]

Thank you all!

Typing slows me down a little, and forces me to re-think whether I'm saying things diplomatically! Even so, I have used the 1-hour edit option on this forum many, many times. IRL, sometimes I wish I had that--or at least a better filter between my brain and my mouth!!! I love to learn; even when someone words the correction in a condescending way, I've learned to be less defensive and stubborn...but everyone's more receptive to change when it's accompanied by love and caring.

I have learned SO much from LCF and my BUDDDS!!!
Including how to be more tactful.

[giggles4me]

Ok so it's 1:30pm right now and so far so good.. No sugar!
drinking lots of water with lemon and a few mints too....

[Seabreezes]

I second all the nice things everyone has said about Jenny. You are a main part of JUDDD.

Happy Valentine Day

[giggles4me]

so yesterday was good, only sugar was in my coffee creamer. I even asked my boyfriend to not get me any candy and he understood completely.

Calories wise it was closer to an UD, so today will be an important DD. I have my veg snacks ready, and my lemon water too.

I think I will take this one day at a time! Thinking it to far ahead seems to throw me off track.

My supplements should arrive today and will start them tomorrow.

Thank you all for holding my hand thru this!

PJ- feel free to highjack anytime....

[gotsomeold]

Great start to the rest of your life!!!

Great attitude - don't think too far ahead, it can be both overwhelming and demoralizing.

[hot-in-texas]

Yes, one day at a time! You're doing great!

[mojocat]

Originally Posted by hot-in-texas

Yes, one day at a time! You're doing great!

Except on the evening of a DD when you're dreaming about what you're going to eat on tomorrow's UD

[adillenal]

Originally Posted by LoosinItNow

I saw a carrot cake low carb yogurt at Kroger - really tastes like carrot cake! 45 cals. You could use it to make a carrot cake DD OMM, maybe?

Someone on here posted a LC carrot cake for me and I made it and it was delicious but would be more like 450 calories if not more for a piece. But it was wonderful with no wheat which I am supposed to NOT eat.
Haven't seen a Kroger store in 20 years so I guess we don't have them anymore. Thanks for the suggestion.

[hot-in-texas]

They have Krogers in Magnolia and The Woodlands Tx out by Houston Adi.
Mojocat, I always spend my DD nights thinking about what I'm going to have UD

[giggles4me]

UD today and going to have lunch at Texas Roadhouse... Love this place..

Did good with no sugar yesterday, still have some in my coffee creamer.

Also started my supplements, trying some that were recommended here.

[pugluv9802]

Originally Posted by giggles4me

On Sundays I cook skinless chicken breast in my crock pot so that I have it ready for the whole week. I know I don't like cabbage, but I have never tried squash or zucchini. I guess I should start.

I never liked squash or zucchini until I oven roasted them. Put some olive oil, s&p in the oven between 400-450, BIG difference. Now I eat them more than ever before.

[Librarygirl]

Originally Posted by giggles4me

UD today and going to have lunch at Texas Roadhouse... Love this place..

Did good with no sugar yesterday, still have some in my coffee creamer.

Also started my supplements, trying some that were recommended here.

If you really want to stop eating sugar, you would do better to stop using it in your coffee as well. I know you said you can't eat the fake stuff, but have you tried palm sugar or coconut sugar? Both are completely natural and sweet, but less so than cane sugar. I found palm sugar in little cakes at an asian store. I haven't looked for coconut sugar yet, but expect it would also be available there...good, natural, healthy alternatives.

[giggles4me]

no I never thought of those kind of sugars. And yes I am trying to find a different coffee creamer. I use to put sugar and creamer in my coffee, and I have learned to drop the sugar part, now just have to learn to drop the creamer or find something different. I have even tried flavored coffee's to see if that would work, nothing yet.

[Librarygirl]

Heavy cream and coconut or palm sugar is delicious. On DD's you can use less, of course.

[mojocat]

You will be fine. Read the labels and avoid it in any form. After a few weeks you won't miss it. I just told myself it was poison for me and that I need to get it out of my system. Sugar is supposed to feed cancer cells. Sugar made me fat. Sugar made me hungry.

[adillenal]

Originally Posted by hot-in-texas

They have Krogers in Magnolia and The Woodlands Tx out by Houston Adi.
Mojocat, I always spend my DD nights thinking about what I'm going to have UD

Kroger must only be in the really populated areas then. There are only HEB's and Brookshire Bros and mom and pop stores in my area.