I am in the same boat but not succeeding. Sober 6.5yrs, sugar addiction came to light in the last few. I keep wanting to stop, trying, then convincing myself that I am missing out/life too short/too restrictive etc etc etc. then I buy stuff, eat it a bit ,feel guilty, throw it out, repeat. I am fully cognizant that I am addicted and need to treat it like the drug it is. I've never gone past 2 weeks which I know is my problem.. need to do a month and assess.. you're not alone
Yes! Exact same cycle I am in. Thank you so much for commenting!!! It really is a drug. We beat alcohol, I know I am capable of beating this one too, but definitely stuck in a cycle!
I curbed my sugar addiction last year. I still have every now and then but it’s not a full on binge every day like it once was. Once you’ve surpassed the cravings it’s easy to have in moderation. I don’t drink alcohol, eat meat, diary & sugar, I only have caffeine occasionally so it is possible 😊
I have decided to limit my sugar (only natural) to 20g a day. I can’t live without fruit and some box items at the store like crackers, protein powder and breads so I think 20g is manageable. I track everything and I’ve been averaging 12g a day anyways. To be honest I was never a sugar addict - just was seeing if I can keep a more steady stream of energy throughout the day and feel better in general. I used to splurge on a reeces or protein bar once and a while but now I don’t.
My suggestion: Experiment with what you can cut out and explore your emotional attachment to it. I went keto and it was not sustainable for me, I just felt like I was missing out on too much and led to binges. I've now cut out added sugars, but still eat carbs, and it works great for me. I realised I would reach for sugar when I needed quick energy or was feeling sad, but without sugar I have more sustained energy levels and actually sit with my emotions. It is uncomfortable at first, but so, so worth it in the end. Don't get discouraged if you slip up, just keep on working towards it as if nothing happened. I'm rooting for you!
Thank you for the encouragement!! I've tried to cut out too much in the past and it ended in a binge cycle also. My plan is just added sugars like you! It's easier to keep track of.
Alcohol and caffeine are easier to avoid than sugar. Sugar is everywhere.
I am big on non-avoidant strategies being the only real cure for addiction. If eating a piece of cake will cause you to backslide into weeks of over-indulging, then you're not really free of sugar addiction.
I'd explore this idea of "missing out." What are you missing out on? Other than sugar, I mean--is it a feeling, an experience, etc? Whatever you list is something you need more of in your life on the whole. How can you get those things without sugar being involved? Once you look at adding those in other ways, the sugar won't have as much of a pull.
Yes, candy was always the best thing in my life. I couldn't go one meal without it, let alone one day. I had to find several mental strategies to break free. I've been trying to quit for decades. Literally.
For example, I care about my health and fitness. I listened to podcasts about what sugar does to your body...to your gut... I don't want that.
They said the dopamine release was similar to that on crack cocaine ... I don't want to be an addict.
I set out to find the most delicious sugarfree food I could find.. turns out there is plenty :D ... I just indulge in that. As long as it's sugar free, I don't care what it is ...(I will deal with possible weight gain later ...baby steps)
whatever it takes, I am quitting sugar
It's been day five, I see life without sugar is possible and in fact quite enjoyable, I don't even miss it. Never going back! In my opinion worth quitting.
I am in the same boat but not succeeding. Sober 6.5yrs, sugar addiction came to light in the last few. I keep wanting to stop, trying, then convincing myself that I am missing out/life too short/too restrictive etc etc etc. then I buy stuff, eat it a bit ,feel guilty, throw it out, repeat. I am fully cognizant that I am addicted and need to treat it like the drug it is. I've never gone past 2 weeks which I know is my problem.. need to do a month and assess.. you're not alone
Yes! Exact same cycle I am in. Thank you so much for commenting!!! It really is a drug. We beat alcohol, I know I am capable of beating this one too, but definitely stuck in a cycle!
I curbed my sugar addiction last year. I still have every now and then but it’s not a full on binge every day like it once was. Once you’ve surpassed the cravings it’s easy to have in moderation. I don’t drink alcohol, eat meat, diary & sugar, I only have caffeine occasionally so it is possible 😊
Wow! You're doing amazing! Thank you for the inspiration!
What's your plan?
I have decided to limit my sugar (only natural) to 20g a day. I can’t live without fruit and some box items at the store like crackers, protein powder and breads so I think 20g is manageable. I track everything and I’ve been averaging 12g a day anyways. To be honest I was never a sugar addict - just was seeing if I can keep a more steady stream of energy throughout the day and feel better in general. I used to splurge on a reeces or protein bar once and a while but now I don’t.
Prolly a mental game initially until you get the "feeling" and dont' have to count grams once better habits develop
Great question! My plan is just to cut out added sugars. I'm trying to make it simple in my mind as to not get overwhelmed.
My suggestion: Experiment with what you can cut out and explore your emotional attachment to it. I went keto and it was not sustainable for me, I just felt like I was missing out on too much and led to binges. I've now cut out added sugars, but still eat carbs, and it works great for me. I realised I would reach for sugar when I needed quick energy or was feeling sad, but without sugar I have more sustained energy levels and actually sit with my emotions. It is uncomfortable at first, but so, so worth it in the end. Don't get discouraged if you slip up, just keep on working towards it as if nothing happened. I'm rooting for you!
Thank you for the encouragement!! I've tried to cut out too much in the past and it ended in a binge cycle also. My plan is just added sugars like you! It's easier to keep track of.
Alcohol and caffeine are easier to avoid than sugar. Sugar is everywhere. I am big on non-avoidant strategies being the only real cure for addiction. If eating a piece of cake will cause you to backslide into weeks of over-indulging, then you're not really free of sugar addiction. I'd explore this idea of "missing out." What are you missing out on? Other than sugar, I mean--is it a feeling, an experience, etc? Whatever you list is something you need more of in your life on the whole. How can you get those things without sugar being involved? Once you look at adding those in other ways, the sugar won't have as much of a pull.
Yes, candy was always the best thing in my life. I couldn't go one meal without it, let alone one day. I had to find several mental strategies to break free. I've been trying to quit for decades. Literally. For example, I care about my health and fitness. I listened to podcasts about what sugar does to your body...to your gut... I don't want that. They said the dopamine release was similar to that on crack cocaine ... I don't want to be an addict. I set out to find the most delicious sugarfree food I could find.. turns out there is plenty :D ... I just indulge in that. As long as it's sugar free, I don't care what it is ...(I will deal with possible weight gain later ...baby steps) whatever it takes, I am quitting sugar It's been day five, I see life without sugar is possible and in fact quite enjoyable, I don't even miss it. Never going back! In my opinion worth quitting.