I've been so strong today

I haven't had cravings this bad and/or come so close to binging on
carbs, and walked away to tell the story proudly. Today I was feeling very
stressed out, craving something decadently sweet. In particular for some old
sweet almond bread I haven't had in years . . . one thing led to another,
and I actually *decided* to myself that I was going to succumb to temptation
and pick up some of those new large reeses pieces peanut butter cups, a cake
from the QFC bakery, etc. The lust was so strong in my body, and yet after
10 minutes salivating over all the delicious food, knowing I was *destined*
to buy something after having decided to binge, I mustered the courage and
walked out empty handed. Dr. Atkins recommends taking L-glutamine to help
with sugar temptations, which I will do later tonight when my stomach is
empty (this is what he suggests, I think) but so far I've fought this off
myself.

So anyway I'm trying to decide what brought on this temptation. Why do I
feel this way today? I can only imagine one thing really -- I've
re-introduced caffeine into my diet, and I'm going to eliminate it again
after this experience. But I'm not sure, perhaps the need was emotional and
not physical. Hopefully the latter, as that's easier to control -- just
eliminate caffeine. Which I can do relatively easily.

Just sharing my experience, take care folks.

-Chad

"Chad C."

writes:

I haven't had cravings this bad and/or come so close to binging on
carbs, and walked away to tell the story proudly. Today I was feeling very
stressed out, craving something decadently sweet. In particular for some old
sweet almond bread I haven't had in years . . . one thing led to another,
and I actually *decided* to myself that I was going to succumb to temptation
and pick up some of those new large reeses pieces peanut butter cups, a cake
from the QFC bakery, etc. The lust was so strong in my body, and yet after
10 minutes salivating over all the delicious food, knowing I was *destined*
to buy something after having decided to binge, I mustered the courage and
walked out empty handed. Dr. Atkins recommends taking L-glutamine to help
with sugar temptations, which I will do later tonight when my stomach is
empty (this is what he suggests, I think) but so far I've fought this off
myself.

Good for you. I have had one stress binge day since going low-carb, and it
wasn't pretty. The key is, if you slip, you get right back on.

So anyway I'm trying to decide what brought on this temptation. Why do I
feel this way today? I can only imagine one thing really -- I've
re-introduced caffeine into my diet, and I'm going to eliminate it again
after this experience.

I think the majority of people don't have a problem with caffeine, but we don't
know if we're in the significant fraction that does have problems until we test
ourselves. It was hard to give up, but I'm glad I did because now I know where
I stand with it, and I no longer feel addicted. You might be among those who
are affected, or you might have had a bad day for other reasons. But there's
certainly no harm in playing it safe and going off it again.

But I'm not sure, perhaps the need was emotional and
not physical. Hopefully the latter, as that's easier to control -- just
eliminate caffeine. Which I can do relatively easily.

Once you've dropped caffeine, it's easy to stay off it.

Just sharing my experience, take care folks.

We're here to learn from one another; thanks for sharing.

Daria
166/144/140
sugar-free since 2/1/04
low-carb since 2/17/04

On Tue, 11 May 2004 18:30:51 -0700, "Chad C."
wrote:

I haven't had cravings this bad and/or come so close to binging on
carbs, and walked away to tell the story proudly. Today I was feeling very
stressed out, craving something decadently sweet.

So anyway I'm trying to decide what brought on this temptation. Why do I
feel this way today? I can only imagine one thing really -- I've
re-introduced caffeine into my diet, and I'm going to eliminate it again
after this experience. But I'm not sure, perhaps the need was emotional and
not physical. Hopefully the latter, as that's easier to control -- just
eliminate caffeine. Which I can do relatively easily.

You said earlier that you were stressed out. That'll do it. Just feel
good about getting through it without hurting your food plan.

Way to go!
Carol

--
"Years ago my mother used to say to me... She'd say
'In this world Elwood, you must be oh-so smart or
oh-so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart.... I
recommend pleasant. You may quote me."

*James Stewart* in the 1950 movie, _Harvey_

In article , says...
I haven't had cravings this bad and/or come so close to binging on
carbs, and walked away to tell the story proudly. Today I was feeling very
stressed out, craving something decadently sweet. In particular for some old
sweet almond bread I haven't had in years . . . one thing led to another,
and I actually *decided* to myself that I was going to succumb to temptation
and pick up some of those new large reeses pieces peanut butter cups, a cake
from the QFC bakery, etc. The lust was so strong in my body, and yet after
10 minutes salivating over all the delicious food, knowing I was *destined*
to buy something after having decided to binge, I mustered the courage and
walked out empty handed.

Kudos to you for resisting what sounds like MONUMENTAL temptation!

--
Saffire
205/158/125 - 5'2.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

Chad wrote:
I haven't had cravings this bad and/or come so close to binging on
carbs, and walked away to tell the story proudly. Today I was feeling very
stressed out, craving something decadently sweet. In particular for some old
sweet almond bread I haven't had in years . . . one thing led to another,
and I actually *decided* to myself that I was going to succumb to temptation
and pick up some of those new large reeses pieces peanut butter cups, a cake
from the QFC bakery, etc. The lust was so strong in my body, and yet after
10 minutes salivating over all the delicious food, knowing I was *destined*
to buy something after having decided to binge, I mustered the courage and
walked out empty handed.

That is a good thing, yes you were strong willed with this!

Dr. Atkins recommends taking L-glutamine to help with sugar temptations, which
I will do later tonight when my stomach is empty (this is what he suggests, I
think) but so far I've fought this off myself.

I havn't yet tried them tablets either. You are doing good fighting it off
yourself!


So anyway I'm trying to decide what brought on this temptation. Why do I
feel this way today? I can only imagine one thing really -- I've
re-introduced caffeine into my diet, and I'm going to eliminate it again after
this experience.

Same exact thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I tried adding caffeine back
into my diet. Then started craving sugar like crazy, just like you have
explained. It was horrible! I almost went to a carryout store to get some
sweets, but didn't even get in the car. I just found something to distract me.
It was pure willpower. It was the caffeine for me, It really could be the cause
for you. I have tried this week.. a coffee brand that is a light blend, half of
the caffeine, so far so good too! For me, it also could have been aspartame. I
was drinking some crystal light with aspartame in it. Eliminated that along
with the caffeine.

But I'm not sure, perhaps the need was emotional and not physical. Hopefully
the latter, as that's easier to control -- just
eliminate caffeine. Which I can do relatively easily.

I caught myself emotionally eating a couple times in the past few weeks. Its
all under control now. It was the caffeine.

Just sharing my experience, take care folks.

I am glad you shared your experience, I don't feel so alone now with this crap
with caffeine triggering cravings.

It was the caffeine for me, It really could be the cause
for you.

It does me in too. :-(

LCing since 12/01/03-
Me- 5'7" 265/203/140
& hubby- 6' 310/217/180