What a time to do it too---the day before Halloween! I was eating all kinds of junk yesterday and could hardly stop myself! I'm back on today and hope to find a few minutes where I can write down some menus based on the food I have in the house. Lately, I haven't been sticking to my carb limits and have just been eating unlimited quantities of things like nuts and sugar-free cookies. Heeeeellllp!

DebPenny, you seem to be just about the most organized, methodical person here---what do you suggest?

Thanks! Happy Sugar-free Halloween!

Hi Sara,
Just wanted to let you know that I have been in the same place you are. The only thing to do is forgive yourself, get back on the program and move forward, which is what you seem to be doing. One of the things that helps me the most is preparation. I plan out my menus for a week, including snacks, and then I try to stick with it. It's not easy because I'm not an imaginative cook, and I have so little free time, but I feel like I'm worth it, and you are too! Hang in there and don't give up!!!
Susan

After you put the wet noodle away that you whip yourself with, relax and take the day back. Yesterday is done and today is a fresh slate. Planning is everything. Get the crap out of the house. and have alternatives for yourself.

Good luck.

If there are foods that are too much of a temptation for you, get them out of the house or ration them. I send leftover sweets (from Halloween, parties, etc.) to work with my husband. I have the tendency to pig out on nuts, too, so I portion them out in 7.5g carb servings in those handy snack bags. It makes it less of a temptation to grab a couple handfuls.

Jen

You know, it's a good thing I'm not an alcoholic! My step-father was an alcoholic and I grew up going to Al-ateen and Al-anon meetings. So I know the drill there, but I never connected my eating problems with a true addiction until I started trying to low-carb it. I totally feel like an alcoholic who had gotten sober and has now thrown himself back into the gutter to revel in his misery!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I have to take it one day at a time, knowing that I can never have some(or any) of those things again. Even after I lose weight, I suspect, because it will just start the miserable cycle all over again.

What makes me really mad is that I can go back to the sugar with no ill effects. No sugar hangover. Nothing. Not even after 4 chocolate cupcakes in 2 minutes.

But I'm climbing back onto the wagon now!

As horrible as being an alcoholic must be I think Carb addiction is harder. You don't have to drink, but you do have to eat. Limiting and controlling the sugar has always been a struggle. I found after I kicked it, it was much easier to live this lifestyle. I have given up sugar, white flour, white rice and pasta. Since I am a stress eater, and usually under pretty heavy stress, I keep nuts and raw carrots on hand. If I do over eat, it will be the better choice.