I have been doing pretty well eating low carb. My problem is what happens is I'll be able to eat Low carb for four days straight with out much problem and then either at the end of the forth day or fith day I just like Need sugar! I go out on an all sugar binge! Its horrible and then i feel like crap too! I don't understand why? I also think I might have a little emotion eating problem- like today I was very very mad at one of my friends and again when my parents left I went on an all sugar binge eating everything from peanut butter and honey sandwiches to nature valley bars. It seems that I like to binge when ever people are not around. Anyone have any helpful advice?
Thanks!

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Alaina

Green Tea started on Jan 8th 05
100 day cheat free challenge started on Jan 8th 05

Well, that sounds pretty frustrating. But, maybe this will help... or, maybe it's just something to think about; throwin' out a few ideas.

Did eating the PB/honey sandwich solve your problem?

Would getting rid of the easy temptations be a good idea? Many of us find that it's better to just empty the cupboards of those things that might tempt us in a weak moment. Perhaps you could go through your cupboards and give away or throw away the things that are unhealthy for you ("It's better to waste it than waist it").

Would identifying some strategies for dealing with stress-related eating be useful. Perhaps, something like...

"Next time, I shall drink a big glass of water instead of bingeing".
"Next time, I shall go outside and breath some fresh air"
"Next time, I shall take a relaxing bath"
"Next time, I shall call a friend"

I remember reading about a woman who would go garden or repot her houseplants when she was fighting an urge to binge. Getting her hands dirty meant she couldn't eat, and she got a sense of well-being and accomplishment from the activity.

Those are just a few thoughts... anyway.

You might find it helpful to read some of the stickies at the top of the Newbie forum. I recall there are some useful ideas for facing down this type of challenge.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

you know, you might try doing a less strict version of low carb. maybe a south beach or something? or a low GI diet?

you might find that it helps you not feel deprived.

BTW, what diet did your doctor recommend for you?

I agree with Andrea, make sure you talk to your doctor about it.

And don't try to do a plan that's overly strict. Sometimes, that can backfire BIGTIME. We think we're doing SOOOO great because we aren't eating this and we aren't eating that. Then, we feel so deprived, we go nuts eating crap!

Don't try to do too much, too fast, or you're sure to have problems.

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It is always necessary to leave some part
of cooking to improvisation. - Paul Bocuse
Member since 2001

Good advice from Marcie, Andrea and Teelbee.

I was a BIG candy binge eater. When I first started to think about low carb, I slid into it slowly. Then I picked a date and started in earnest (more or less . . . too many bars and shakes). When the Sweet Monster would hit me over the head, there was nothing else to eat in the house except for low carb sweets I made myself. Whipped cream was a big part of this. And you have to PLAN for this! Make the "sweets" ahead of time so you can reach for a low carb sweet instead of a real sugar one. I do think planning ahead is a big part of doing LC successfully.

Also, regular meals will help. If you skip breakfast or lunch, you are setting yourself up for an attack by the Munch or Sweet Demon.

Although I hesitate to suggest this, as it can really slow your weight loss, you may want to have a few Atkins Advantage Bars around. Or Hershey's One Gram Sugar Carb chocolate bars or Hershey's One Gram Sugar Carb peanut butter cups. Then, when the urge hits you, you look at the bar and make a choice to eat it or not. If you do opt to eat it, sit down, relax, perhaps with a cup of tea, and enjoy it. Then keep plugging away . . . low carb all the way.

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Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Alaina,

since you began this journey while i was MIA, i decided to take a peek at your background --

seeing that you are eating LC "not to lose weight, but to clean up eating habits", you really don't have to be that strict, like Andrea suggested - you can try a less strict WOE.
You can do this (the LC Woe) just by cutting "whites" (all processed foods: sugars, rice, bread, pasta, etc) and eat natural foods... and make wise choices.

I saw you once asked about fruits.... eat berries, or fruits that are higher in fiber -- bad choices would be raisens (i even try to stay away from grapes, though i can eat one or two) and bananas -- way too high in sugar for my tastes

as i'm sure you already know.... number ONE --
talk to your doctor

-- do not skip meals -- at least snack on something every 3-4 hrs, though that can be hard while you are in school -- but it can keep the urge to binge at bay
-- make sure you are supplementing your diet with a good multi vitamin, (i have found that L-Glutamine will curb sweets cravings -- and with you strength training -- this is beneficial too)

when i find that I am craving something, and i just cant put my finger on it.... like i need a "comfort food" a good cup of tea or coffee will do that for me.
I know with you being only 15, you may not be a coffee drinker -- but maybe tea would fit the bill better....

i guess, for me that is.... the warmth of the coffee, plus the fat from the half&half just satisfies *almost* any craving i may have.

so -- try not to be so hard on yourself.... you are young and just make good food choices... and if you are craving PB and honey, try PB and cream cheese (weird, but its fabulous... I put it on wasa crackers for a snack) OH and use the natural stuff, not JIF or Skippy.

hope this helps a bit....

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My LC web site
LCE Member since 2000

And don't forget sugar-free Jell-O. Easy to make. Sweet and cold, and virtually "free."

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Barb L.
Atkins since Jan 2003
Maintenance as of 4/05


My Fitday Journal

a few small suggestions:

first of all, redefine. if you tell me you "can't" eat more than 4 days low carb, i promise you: you'll be right.

it sounds like you have some idea of what you're problem times are: after a few days, and when there is emotional stress. not to mention "no witnesses." while i've seen this so many times, it still kind of amuses me on some level the psych games we play with ourselves. your body knows what nobody else sees, you know?

i agree with the other folks that getting rid of the most problemmatic foods for you is a great idea. also, having other activities lined up and ready to go helps. so have it ready, plan ahead.

if i had to put money on willpower or planning to win the race, i'll tell you what: the planning wins every time.

work on your perceptions of your own abilities and strengths, and set you environment up for success. then, making it's easier than not making it.

good luck to you!

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Alaina,

When I just HAVE to have a sweet treat I make myself a Mock Danish and top it off with thawed frozen strawberries or fresh ones. (depending on if they are in season)

I take 3 oz. of cream cheese (the package has one ounce markings on the foil packaging) and warm that in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then I add an egg and mix that up completely. I add Splenda and flavorings (maybe vanilla or almond) and a bit of cinnamon. I cook that in the microwave for about 2:30 minutes. I heap about five large or 7 small frozen stawberries on top of it after it's done cooking, and while it's still hot, it will thaw frozen berries out. I sprinkle a packet of splenda on top of the berries to sweeten them up. I sometimes will add half and half or heavy cream (about 2 TBS.) over the berries. It tastes a little like strawberry shortcake. The fat in it will satisfy your need to snack. I eat it VERY slowly and savor EVERY bite. It will last me a half hour sometimes. I try not to gobble it up right away, so it lasts. After I'm done with it, I am satisfied and don't need to eat anything else.

Another thing I do when I have a huge craving is to get out a quarter cup of some kind of nuts.........almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, macadamias, etc (I avoid peanuts, but in the shell would be okay-maybe a cup of them-shelling keeps your hands busy.) and munch one nut at a time. I do the same thing as I do with the mock danish..............savor each and every bite.......one at a time. I force myself to take my time with it. I want the yumminess to last as long as possible.

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Hi, wow thank you for all of the help. Well to let everyone know today I didn't binge at all. Well I wanted Chex mix from the pantry really bad... so what i did is i took my Nalgene waterbottle and drank 32 oz of water in 5 mins (new record) haha and yeah my stomach felt SO full like i had just eaten a thanksgiving dinner. So I acually didn't want any food. Do you think it would be smart to keep a food diary? Well acaully I don't eat totally low carb. I call my way of eating a more No refined sugar diet. So i eat LC bread, whole wheate pita pockets, and heart to heart Kashi go lean cereal, and things of that sort. Anyone see anything wrong with thoes? Thanks Terese for telling me that I should take L-Glutamine for another supplement for me. Haha the more the marrier. I do take a multi-vitamin, calicium w/ D, Flax seed oil, Bits for pms, and Vitamin C. Thank you so much for all the tips and good stuff to eat good luck everyone and stay on track!

P.s i LOVE that natural peanut butter I almost think its better than the Jif, etc kind!

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Alaina

Green Tea started on Jan 8th 05
100 day cheat free challenge started on Jan 8th 05

Alaina, DEFINITELY keep a food journal!!!! And when you are writing in it, try to notice how you are feeling when you are eating. If you can make a connection between your emotions and your food intake, you might be able to stop yourself from binging. You can't change what you don't acknowledge. And if you can acknowledge to yourself what emotions you are having while eating, you can be aware and make changes. And this can give you POWER. A food journal is a tool that can help you succeed!!!

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