I had a lightbulb moment

[losemythighs]

I'm one of those dieters who cheat many many many times. I think to myself, "once I lose twenty pounds I'll have a piece of cake, etc..." Well, my last cheat, which started with ice cream (I was only supposed to eat the ice cream) led into a two week binge and eight pound weight gain. My light bulb moment came when I realized I was acting like a junkie. I couldn't stop thinking about sweets and everytime I walked into the kitchen I had to have a handful of cookies. NO MORE!! I have realized that I cannot have sugar EVER again! No more of this "just one bite" stuff. Okay. thanks for letting me vent.

[Lady_Hawke]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

Its not easy. Because in a way, food is our adiction (sp?) . And unlike drugs or alcohol or anything else - we need food to live so its still a part of our lives.
Good for you for stopping your binge Its not easy and you are very strong!

[wannabethintoo]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

I agree...food is the worse addiction going 'cause you can't just give it up totally like other addictions.

Good for you!

[ciaobella]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

ya i totally know what you mean!

i kinda had a moment like that....i had a bunch of work todo monday ngiht and usally i will eat some bad sweets to give me motivation and whatnot as i write papers/presentations etc so as i was walking home i passed by cvs and i went in...totally set on getting something good and chocolaty! i knew it was wrong but a part of me said ...just do it!
So there i was looking at the double stuffed oreos about to pick up the package when i flashed back to 2 years ago sitting at my aunts table stuffing my face with cookies and having my very over weight grandmother comment on my weight (i was around 200lbs then) and that made me run right out of there!!!!
i finished my work and i did over do it on splenda (lots of tea w/splenda) but thats better than eating oreos, chips or what have you

[dreamof145]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

Food is the worst addiction. When you quit smoking, you just quit buying cigarettes. The same with booze. But, we can't quit buying food or going into the grocery store where all the temptations are. Thats why it has been so important for me to come here to the ADBB and get daily doses of motivation and inspiration to keep going.

I've had to change my whole attitude about food -- instead of feeling deprived or sorry for myself for not being able to eat certain foods....I now get excited and really enjoy the foods that I am able to eat. I have educated myself on what nurishment I get from different foods and it has caused me to appreciate what I am eating. Now, when I look at chips or desserts...I know they aren't doing my body any good. They would destroy all my hard work over the past two years that has got me as far as I have.

[losemythighs]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

I started induction yesterday and have lost 1.5 pounds of the 8 I gained. So, I'm now at 153.5 I have made up my mind that sugar is the ENEMY!!!

[sunflowergrl]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

You are right, sugar is the enemy!! I am the same way, I can't eat just one cookie!! Keep up on the good work, a clean Induction will do wonders for you!!!

[RationalBeing]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

I guess I am lucky that I've never had "food addiction." I suppose stress just is what caused me to gain weight both times. Just not thinking about what I was eating, when I was eating it and stuffing my face fast till I was full syndrome. I do know better now. I call that my own lightbulb moment.

[Analog6]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

Becky has the right idea. Get excited about what you CAN have rather than disappointed about what you can't. I didn't feel like a cooked breakfast this morning so I had some smoked salmon and cheese! It felt really decadent and I savoured it. Same when I have an occasional dessert of berries and cream. Enjoy the moment!

[Elizellen]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

GReat advice, Odille.

When I started Atkineering I decided to always say "I don't eat xxxxxx" rather than "I can't eat xxxxxxx" to remind me it is MY choice to eat the right things!

[sombersusie]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

im constantly suprised on the great foods i can have that are perfectly legal! One I just fell in 'love' with recently, similar to what analog mentioned, is comparable to the mc donalds parfait, but better!
a small wedge of cream cheese, warmed for 15 seconds, a packet of splenda, mix in sliced strawberries, blueberries and then flax, ground up, over top!
Its the best! It taste so fresh and tons better than the stuff drowned in sugar.

[america57]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

And, just like drug addiction (so I've been told) the longer you stay away from sugar, the easier it becomes. But, if you keep going back to sugar, if you never let it get out of your system and stay out of your system for a long period of time, you will never completely break the addiction. Just like with drugs, you can't just "have a little" if you have some, you will crave more, that's just the way it is.

[Elmark]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

Sugar is so scary.....but what really is scary, is that sometimes I just eat without thinking....and that sometimes I can tell myself that a piece of cake is bad for me, and that I will gain weight, but I still eat it....

But you're right....the longer I stay away from it, the easier it gets!

[losemythighs]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

Yes, it really is scary. Once I have it, I can't stop thinking about it. It's like something in my brain is turned on and it won't turn off until I stuff myself with sugar. I'll bet my pupils are even dilated.(seriously) I have to beat this once and for all!!

[Elmark]

Re: I had a lightbulb moment

We can.....let's beat the sugar addiction....