You are so right! Even though I do not know you that well (yet) from what I have seen/read here you can do it FOR SURE! Your transformation is absolutely amazing. If you could do THAT, I am not worried one bit about this little issue here. Sometimes all we need is a different perspective. It is amazing how we can struggle with one thing for years and years and then one thing happens and *puff* the problem seems to disappear. Usually that “puff” happens right in our head. I just gotta invent a puff button that I can install in people’s head, it would be so much easier that way, haha.

Even though I have never seriously struggled with sugar, I have had my fair share of problems. And 100% overcome them with mind strategies. I really hope this works for you as well it has for me! I am cheering for you! Oh wait, I do not have to, you already solved your problem…

You hit the “power” thing right on the head. That IS my fear. Since I’m brand new to the sugar thing after many many painful years followed by two powerful years I’m still nervous. You’re right. I can overcome this. I mean I am the little engine that could!

Thank you again for the super thoughtful (and validating) comments. I know it took a little time to write those. THANK YOU.

I think the danger lies in over thinking it. When you think about your “problem” every time you eat it, not only is it less enjoyable but you redirect your focus on it and maybe trigger a “relapse”.

This might be the perfect opportunity for you to try some mental strategies.

As long as you refer to and think about yourself as a “sugar addict” you are one! I mean, what needs to happen for you to not be an addict anymore? See my point? Sugar addiction is definitely not something we are born with and in a way is more of a term for describing a behavior. And since you seem to have things under control (even eating to much sugar once is still “being in control” overall!) you are technically not a sugar addict.

Our mind is a powerful instrument, use it wisely. Sometimes you just have to fake it and lie to yourself, pretending to be something you are not (YET!) If you do it well and long enough you will start believing it. Sounds crazy, but it works so well! I have overcome many issues like that. I actively think of myself in a certain way and eventually I AM that way.

So, when you eat that ice cream, think things like: “Wow, I am so proud of myself, I have completely conquered my addiction”, “I can eat this one bowl and then be happy, I am so in control now”, even “I am so glad I do not struggle with sugar problems, it must be really hard for others” It may seem silly at first, but it is SO effective.

Also, think about this. Why is sugar so bad? It is bad if it has power over you, nothing should have more power over you than YOU. But you can overcome this. What else? Yes, if you eat it too much and too often and you have bad sugar control it can damage your health (arteries). But you can help this when you eat it with other foods (after a salad with vinegar for example) or after exercise. Yes, it can be bad because it is easy to eat too many calories of it and then gain weight. But you do not seem to struggle with weight at the moment (you look great) so a treat is perfectly fine. Sugar is not inherently “bad” so try t enjoy your treats without guilt or they are truly not worth it.

Hope this helped a bit! Humans and their relationships to food are so complex. This is just the way it is, luckily we can deal with it.

I sort miss chocolate but since I haven’t had it in over 2 years I don’t feel the need to add it back to my diet. Ice cream and rice pudding were the two things I missed most and the two things I’m experimenting with.

The thing is I agree with you it’s an addiction and an alcoholic wouldn’t would decide he/she could just have red wine but not vodka. So like I said I’m experimenting on a slippery slope. I just LOVE my hubby’s ice cream!

Thank you for your understanding and support. I need it!

On one side the only way to really get over it is by cutting it out (even natural sugar), but of course you do not want to live your whole life without treats…

I think this is a decision that only you an make by carefully weighing all the pros and cons. Are the treats really that important or is it may still the sugar craving talking etc. What about other treats? Does a smoothie satisfy you? Dried fruit? Applesauce? Sorbet (blended frozen fruit)? Or does it really have to be something like Ice cream/pastries?

I love chocolate for example, but I only eat 70% or 99%. Most people would spit it out, but it is really all about getting used to it. If you manage to get up that high, every other chocolate will taste to sweet that you can’t stand it. Even 70% taste so sweet to me now, that I can only eat half a square. Maybe I am weird in that I dislike very sweet things, but maybe it is just because I do not eat sweet things (except fruit and chocolate). I do sometimes crave something sweet, but even the tiniest piece of chocolate will satisfy that. If you do like chocolate, I highly recommend Lindt excellence bars. Ok, maybe I am biased because I am Swiss, but all the other stuff is not even real chocolate. Oh my, I am such a chocolate snob… hahaha

Thanks for your kind response!

I actually did give up sugar for two years. If you are interested you can read the related posts here http://www.girl-heroes.com/category/sugar-addiction/.

My cravings did disappear but I really was missing “treats” so I decided to add natural sugars back into my diet this year. As you know it’s a very slippery slope for me. So far it’s going pretty well but only time will tell if I made the right choice.

I’m sorry to hear about your husband (I can totally relate) but he sounds very lucky to have you as a wife. How wonderful that you are supporting him like that!!

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I’m off to check your blog!

I think it is great that you use the words “sugar addiction”. Because that is exactly what it is. In the brain almost the exact things happen as when you are addicted to drugs. In some lab experiments mice even chose sugar over heroin, after they got addicted to both! While most people understand that a recovering alcoholic simply has to stay away from alcohol, food has not reached a point yet, where this seems common sense as well.

The best tip I can give you is to treat this just as you would a drug/alcohol addiction. Cutting it out completely is the best way. Maybe your husband could stop eating these things for a while too, so that it is easier for you. If you can do it for a while, your cravings will disappear…

My husband has a serious carb-addcition (even though he only eats WHOLE grain pasta/breads etc.) I finally managed to make him go cold turkey, after we measured his blood sugar levels and he got scared. He is struggling every day now, he has cravings, headaches, is moody etc. It is like having a recovering crack addict in the house.

I wish you the best of luck and send you good thoughts and strength!