I’ve known for awhile that I let myself fall into sugar addiction. I’ve tried to quit on my own for well over a year now, and I’m falling short. So, I thought if I could seek out others, that maybe you could help me, and I could help you.
I let myself get addicted because of stress. My husband got laid off over a year ago, the unemployment office screwed up his paperwork and has been denying his unemployment insurance. We’d need a lawyer to sort it out, but can’t afford one. I make a little over $12/hour, so obviously, I’m stressed. He’s had odd jobs around since, but no luck (since construction consulting is still a really slow business here at the moment).
Anyway, nowadays, I find myself stressed because I gorge on cookies, cakes, etc… I hate myself for doing it, and I even find that cakes and ice cream no longer even taste good. But, it’s something that I’m having serious troubles just letting go. I can’t just stop. I’ve tried.
I don’t know what to do anymore. If anyone’s got any advice on what’s worked for them, I’d love to hear it.
Cansia, thank you for being here with us and for sharing. I know that you can get through your sugar addiction slowly but surely. What's worked for me in the past is to replace those cravings with healthier ones such as fruit. You don't need to do it dramatically, but implement healthier replacement options slowly but surely. I also found these two articles to be helpful;
Thank you very much. I've just finished reading both articles.
I've tried going cold turkey before - but in all my research, I've come up with contradicting answers. Some say to just relax and detox and don't start any new projects while others say that you need to immediately replace the sugar addiction with something new and beneficial. I just don't know what way to go.
And the stresses that caused me to turn to this addiction in the first place still haven't gone away.
I like your idea of keeping fruit around the house. Do you mean like strawberries and grapes, etc? Where they still taste fairly sweet?
Does keeping a daily journal help? I've tried, but I keep failing to do just that.
I also am trying to learn meditation, but I just get in a bad mood and can't let it go.
I think that the key is finding something that works for you. For me, it was slowly but surely replacing certain cravings with that of healthy alternatives and I have stuck with it. Going cold turkey just doesn't work for you, so that was the best route. I keep grapes and apples around the house, and it helps to munch of fruit here and there. I don't over-do it because that would be defeating the purpose, but I'll snack on them throughout the day.
I am going to try your idea of stockpiling grapes and apples (both of which I love). I've tried it before, but always fall flat and have to get ice cream or something. But, going to try it again.
Cansia, try not to completely deprive yourself of sweets that you love, but try to really cut back and replace them with healthier alternatives, such as fruits. If you deprive yourself completely, then you may end up going overboard and overeat the sweets. So, slowly eat less and less of the sweets, but maybe once per week allow yourself a treat. If you can start looking at it as a treat and/or reward, then this may help you along.