HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

[Quitstretchin']

I am on day 4 3/4ths of induction. First day was hard, second day, had a headache, but it was easier. Third day, cravings and hunger pains were gone..I even had to remind myself to eat. Today, I am not necessarily hungry, but I notice that my cravings have increased. I am "wanting" things....The last few days, I have driven past favorite restaurants, gone past certain foods in the grocery store, etc... and had no problem. Today, I've noticed EVERYTHING...cookies, candy, fast food restaurants, etc...The desire got pretty strong earlier when to make SMORES of all things (I haven't had a SMORE in years....why all of a sudden now?) HELP. I am afraid to leave the house right now. Got a few errands to run, but worried the willpower is low and I may drive right up into a drivethru somewhere and carb binge in my car!!! HELP!

[inhisgrip]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

QS...Just hang in there...it will pass. Did you eat or drink anything different today that may have triggered a craving? Just a thought. But you are doing great so don't blow it now for one little smore. Just keep telling yourself that you can do this! Drink some water and eat an Atkins-friendly snack. It will pass.

~Liz

[Quitstretchin']

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

...But you are doing great so don't blow it now for one little smore.

~Liz

"One little SMORE"? Oh no, I would be making the smore, so therefore, I would have bought a BOX of graham crackers, a BAG of marshmallows and a Hershey chocolate bar (or two). Would I have really only eaten one?
The hidden sugar in yesterdays bacon and todays BBQ flavor pork rinds (that I unintentionally eaten) may have done all of this....OHHH I hope this passes, otherwise Im in for a lot of trouble. I can do it though...

[ValidRouge]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Whenever those cravings start, drink yourself a big glass of water. I drink mine from the tap or at room temp so that I can get it down easier. If in 10 minutes you are still "hungry" or craving...eat something high in fat. This is your body trying to sabotage you and give it those carbohydrates for energy...even when your stuffed. It's that small child trying to finagle his way to getting the candy bar or ice cream or whatever he wants. Right now it's gentle prodding...it will soon move into headache, fatigue...whatever. Just like you wouldn't necessarily give in to that child, DO NOT give into your body either. In just a few days, it will figure out that all the old tricks won't get it the fuel it wants (carbohydrates). You know, this is the couch potato body wanting carbs because it doesn't take much energy to turn carbs into more energy. Fat, on the other hand, does take some work. Eventually though, if you DON'T give in...your body will have no choice but to turn to the fat on your hips, belly, and thighs for energy...and THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN! As soon as it does that, it will be so preoccupied with turning the fat on you into energy, it won't have time to catch the signals from the golden arches or the commercials or whatever cues are being sent...you'll have a natural appetite suppression and those things just won't even be interesting to you like they are now.

Hold your ground!!!!! And come here for support!

[Quitstretchin']

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Holy Molly! Is this standard? Does this happen often to others? I tried a search on here to find similar topics but didnt find anything specific. I'm contemplating just going to sleep even though it is early, just to avoid any problems.
How ironic, the last time I was on ATKINS, I made it to day 4, exactly around this time...then dear hubby walked in with the pizza. Could my body be recalling that experience? Thanks for the support. I am going to drink a lot of H2O right now and see if that helps..

[inhisgrip]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

"One little SMORE"? Oh no, I would be making the smore, so therefore, I would have bought a BOX of graham crackers, a BAG of marshmallows and a Hershey chocolate bar (or two). Would I have really only eaten one?

LOL...yeah, I know what you mean. Okay, so don't blow it for a whole plate of smores. You can do this! You have it in you...I know you do!

[ValidRouge]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

It happens to lots of people. We get signals from EVERYWHERE for the bad foods. Visual cues (commercials, golden arches, signs, print media), Audio Cues "I'm lovin it" etc. Scent cues...from everywhere. It's amazing that even visual and audio cues can trigger hunger...wouldn't surprise me ONE bit if it even triggers an insulin response. There are some posts on here about how even the taste of something sweet from artificial sweeteners can trigger an insulin response...so why couldn't visual and audio cues as well.

I had to stop using candles that smelled like food. It just drove me crazy. Quit using those, and the problem went away.

If going to bed helps, then go! Maybe exercise...or read on here with a big glass of water to sip on. Whatever it takes LOL

[Tired of Chub]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Come on QS, you can so this. If it makes you feel better, I had the same problems in the beginning. (and oddly enough, TONIGHT!) Be proud of yourself for recognizing this craving. Even prouder for being stronger then it. If you need to, go to bed. Ive done it, theres no shame in it. Or, take a walk. do a crossword. GIve yourself something else to think about. I personally bought a coloring book and crayons and would color my heart out at night (my prime snack attack times). We are all pulling for ya QS, you CAN and WILL do this!

[ValidRouge]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Great idea Tired! I've done that alot too. I got some nice colored pencils and some really nice "Coloring books" from an art store. I could go for HOURS doing that...and never needed something to eat.

[inhisgrip]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Hey...coloring books...never thought of that! That's a great idea to keep my hands busy while I'm watching TV. I need to go to WM tomorrow and buy a coloring book.

[Laker75]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

QS - Thank you for the post... I popped in to lend support, and came away with some fantastic advice for my own "moments".

Maybe it was something in the moon phases: I found myself craving like crazy as well earlier today. I squelched mine with a HUGE salad... (Thank you , Subway) Shared it with my sweetie-pie-6-year-old and didn't look back.

Tomorrow, you're going to feel like the strongest, most resilient person on earth for getting through without succumbing to that nasty sweet tooth. Good luck!

S.

[Quitstretchin']

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Hey You All...hadn't checked in since I posted this, but I am at the end of day 6 and will say that I did everything to ignore those cravings and so far have suceeded. Now that there is a slight calmness over me (the first couple of days, I was frantically obssessed with not cheating...now its smoother and I am less frazeled), I have been able to focus in on the cravings and try to analyze exactly what/why I am craving things. I haven't figured it all out, but I have noticed that my bread cravings have gone away. I haven't even thought about bread. SUGAR however is a whole other story!!! I have not kicked that one quiet yet and still have to blink twice and shake my head back and forth (rather hard I might say) in attempt to shift wheels and think about something else. Still truckin' thought.......ONE MORE DAY and I've made it a week!!!

[msnicksmom]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

You are doing super! Sugar is BY FAR the toughest one to ignore, resist and conquer. Truly starving my sweet tooth is the only thing that's ever truly worked for me...no Splenda, no diet pops, no sweetened waters, NOTHING. For 2 days, then a week, then 2 weeks, then a month. And the cravings truly did go away.

Haven't done that this time though, I love my treats But it's a thought.

[Quitstretchin']

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

Actually was thinking the same thing MSNICKSMOM...I only have splenda in the sodas I drink. Tried splenda in decaf coffee with H.cream but it did nothing for me so I stopped. I love my coffee, but if it isn't really sweetened, with milk and sweetened whipped cream, then I'd rather do without it completely...and I have. Certain things just can't be messed with. Either its the way you like it or go cold turkey all the way!!
I am starting to think the diet sodas are triggering and maintaing my craving for sugar since that is the only think I've had that is "sweet". I don't even eat dessert on this INduction. No S.F. jello, whipped cream, mock cheese cakes or danishes or anything. I only eat standard meals and maybe a few snacks inbetween, but nothing sweet. I hate to think I need to give the sodas up, but if the cravings remain, I may fall off the wagon...so I will be deciding this soon....

[Sweet_Sadie]

Re: HELP....My Cravings Have Returned!!

....I am starting to think the diet sodas are triggering and maintaing my craving for sugar since that is the only think I've had that is "sweet". I don't even eat dessert on this INduction. No S.F. jello, whipped cream, mock cheese cakes or danishes or anything. I only eat standard meals and maybe a few snacks inbetween, but nothing sweet. I hate to think I need to give the sodas up, but if the cravings remain, I may fall off the wagon...so I will be deciding this soon....

Uh o! That is EXACTLY what's causing your cravings!!! Do you have the book?