Every time I think I’ve gotten away from my unhealthy relationship with carbs, they pull me back in.
They sit in pretty packages with little elves on them and beckon me with fudge-striped goodness. They hide in bright blue bags that promise a salty, tortilla-filled vacation. They rest in little tubs with innocent names like Ben and Jerry. They bubble in cans and ping my name when I pass them by.
I avoid them for days at a time by eating vegetables and protein. I move by them in the grocery store as they beckon me with their smooth siren slogans.
Then Friday comes, and I decide to reward myself with just one more date. After a week of yoga and healthy eating, don’t I deserve a little decadence? So I buy several bags of chips, a couple of boxes of cookies and some sugary liquids. I sit on the couch, reach into the first bag and nibble a little bit of heaven. I chase it with a sip of liquid gold. If I could snort it, I would.
I go into the Carb Zone where there is no time and no responsibility. Before I know it, I’ve been sitting on the couch for an entire weekend, and my television is as sugary as the contents in my stomach. I feel depressed, and my pants have shrunk.
Eventually, I have to take out the trash. The hummingbirds buzz me, disgusted with my lethargy, but they have no street cred with me because they live on sugar water.
I go inside and look at the crumbs on the floor and realize that I’ve had another Lost Weekend.
So, in the name of all that’s good in life, I dump carbs on Sunday evening and prepare for a work week. I kick them to the curb. I declare myself free of their bad influence.
But I know that on Friday they’ll be waiting for me … leaning against my car in a leather jacket with a cigarette pack rolled up in their sleeve. I will say “No, you’re not good for me.” Then they will beckon me with a toss of the head that points to Kroger.
And, of course, it has been a really rough week. And I’ve been good. And, the car door shuts.
We all have our food temptations. What is yours, and how do you manage it?
Great parenting on your mother's part
moral support is always financial support has to stop at some point in their life. I wish I had stopped sooner. I wished had made accountable sooner. But allas now has it right for himself
Although it is not really a weight issue but more of a discomfort feeling, carbs and I have also come to crossroads in our relationship. Still love them, but apparently they are not as fond of me. Sad. I make it a point to think before I eat, rather than just assume it will be a meal with some kind of pasta or rice. Temptations are daily but feeling better is the best temptation…served with a smaller side of rice
Eularee: Love your last line . . . I think that could be a great name for a book about women. “Great Life Served with a Smaller Side of Rice.” You’re so right – it really becomes more about how food makes you feel. We start treating it as fuel rather than happiness. Of course I do like an extra side of carb happiness every now and then
. Thanks again -
Food is fuel but who says it can’t fuel happiness. I suppose that “drives” us right back to temptation, though. My main rule is everything in moderation…including moderation. Bon Appetite!
Hi donahh22.
The way I have distanced myself from carbohydrates.
It’s easier than you think. All you have to do is to change your life-style, and how you think about what you see and eat.
Dinner time was always a meat with either potatoes, pasta or rice for me in the past.
Present time it’s meat (fish, chicken turkey, pork and beef just occasionally) with vegetable side dishes in place of potatoes, pasta and rice. Do not over cook your vegetables. There are many delicious vegetable side dishes on the internet to choose from. Use a lot more spices in place of salt.
Breakfast: in place of coffee cakes, doughnuts, cereals and breads. Try butternut squash soup (can be prepared days prior), bananas, eggs.
I am gluten sensitive. Therefore not very keen on carbs. To tell you do truth after eliminating thous from my diet. The cravings I had are no longer there. These days, I no longer have digestive issues, my bowl is regular, no longer feel bloated and gassy. Best better yet. All my live I have suffered of anemia. This past March my doctor told me after my blood work was done. That for this reporting period she is taking me off the hit list for anemics. Sounded good to me!. I do believe that my live style changes have a lot to do with this improvement along with supplementing.
I started to eat breads, and cakes again but only thous made out of gluten free flours now. It works for me. Should it be something for you to look into? I do not know. It’s up to you to decide.
Good like to you.
Vera: Wow – thank you so much for the incredible information. I have noticed that when I’ve gotten away from carbs I don’t crave them after a while. Let me ask you this — how many eggs a week do you eat? I love eggs, but my mother has recently heard that they can be really harmful. I have no clue, but wondered if you’d heard anything.
I have another friend who is gluten sensitive to the point that his kidneys were bleeding. Like you, he left white flour and carbs and feels great. Thanks again for the great information. Let me know how many eggs you eat (and if you eat the egg yolk). I’m not making you responsible for my consumption of eggs, just curious
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Hi donnah22.
I have two eggs daily. They come in different forms; for breakfast two egg whites + yolk. Egg yolks are healthy. They have the most minerals in them. I have to admit that some people can not tolerate them. It is always wise to try out how body responds to their consumption.
I love scrambled eggs with green onions added to them at the end of cooking (no seasoning).
Or 1 tsp. of olive oil, two cloves of crushed garlic. Cook on medium heat until the garlic releases its aroma (1-2 min) add your eggs to it. Do not cook eggs until completely dry – that’s over cooking it which is not healthy.
Adding fresh dill, chives or horse radish in them is tasty too. Another nice way of flavouring eggs is horse radish and red beets preserve that can be used not just in the eggs but also on burgers, in sandwiches, and white or red meats. I also make my own preserves such as horse radish and red beets preserves (mentioned in previous sentence) This is one version of my use of eggs.
Than baked goods, salads, some salad dressings and mayo. I make my own mayonnaise as well. The store bought ones have starches to thicken them. Starches are simple carbohydrates that convert themselves into sugars. I am also sensitive to sugars. I eat sugar free diet ( no re-fined sugars ). Fructose sugars are OK. But I proceed with care. Than some lactose intolerant. Little bit of a real butter and plain yoghurt (starch, sugar and preservatives free, only the ones with living bacteria in them) is OK for me too.
I know for sure from many people that gluten is responsible for many modern days illnesses. Your friend’s condition did not catch me by a surprise. I know where he is coming from. My heart goes to him, and best of luck to you. Do not give up. Sometimes it is a trial and err type thing but it’s worth trying it out. If you need anything else let me know. I’ll be more than happy to help you out as much and as best I can.
I feel your pain. It really is a slippery slope down those grocery isles on a Friday evening. Especially after a hard work week. I have a sweet tooth and have been known to buy a Costco cheescake, eat almost the whole stinkin thing by myself and then worse tell my family I only purchased it for one of the grandkids. Oh the shame of it all. The only way I can resist the temptation and not blame a kid is to avoid the bakery dept at Costco at all costs. However, I have noticed lately that if I turn away from the bakery the wine dept is within sight. Geez, it’s hard to be good.
Pammy
Pammy: Thank you for the empathy and your own story — it makes me feel so much better. I have been known to buy a roll of cookie dough and eat the whole thing in one night. I, too, tell people I’ve bought it to bake some cookies. My family knows that’s not true. I don’t even cook “prepared” foods
. I appreciate the smile on a Saturday morning and am glad to know that I have a carbohydrate comrade!
Donnah, loved your story. I’ve been there many times and when Monday rolls around I decide to take the bull by the horns, and then Friday rolls around (sometimes even Tuesday) and I’m feeling lethargic. 4 months ago, I saw a picture of my best friend on Facebook and it really clicked. She looked Maaavalous. She and I always talked “weight” and here she was looking like a model in the pic. Right then and there I wanted to do whatever it was she was doing. I cut out carbs, sugar and dairy (the paleo diet). I’ve never felt better. It’s true what they say, it’s a bit hard a first, especially giving up the sugar which is so addictive but I have to say, I’ve never felt better and not even tempted. I never thought I could feel this good again…and at 54! btw…your cookie dough comment…..been there, done that!
Sherril: You know, I just might be tempted to do the same. I’ve given up the obvious sugar, and am not that big on bread. I might have to look into this if you FEEL really good. I’m starting to want that more than the food. Maybe. At least for today.
Thanks for sharing your suggestions, and I’m so glad you’re feeling so good about yourself. That’s all that matters.
I had been off track for such a long time, I never thought I would lose the weight. I just couldn’t seem to get a handle on it. So….for me to stick with this program for 4 months was a bigger accomplisment than I thought I was capable of. If you decide to give it a try, there are some wonderful Paleo recipes on the net, and I’ve found some terrific ones on Pinterest as well.
I can’t say enough about how satisfied I feel and how much more energy I have. Really!
Good Luck!
I have tried it all in the name of weight loss and health. I was totally devoted to Kimkins and even tried the Dukan diet. After a few days on these diets I really began to miss things like carrots and bananas. I have always been a meat and potatoes and lots of gravy type of gal but was really a victim of yo-yo dieting. Then I discovered the book ‘Eat To Live’ by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I bought the condensed version for my iPhone to start and ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting. What an education! I thought I knew all about dieting and what to eat and what not to eat. This book changed my opinion and my life. I bought the version for my e-reader and the hard copy too. It’s my new bible. I have followed this new way of eating (and eating) for several weeks now and firmly feel that I will never go back to my old ways. I even indulge in the occasional glass of red wine without the guilt trips. I would really recommend this to anyone who feels addicted and hopeless with their eating habits.
kelroses: Good for all of us to know. I actually bought that book and then didn’t read it, so I’ve pulled it off the shelf. I’m glad it’s working for you, and hope that others who have been discouraged by limiting diets are going to look into it as well. Thanks so much!
Please forgive me for being rude while we’ve shared many weekends. There have been many weekends I, too, have spent romantically involved with carbs, but to be honest I thought I was alone.
Thank you for sharing your story. I will think of you while I’m having my Monday lunch of 2oz turkey on a whole wheat wrap with sliced cuces and water to make up for the waffle with ice cream, chocolate syrup and sprinkles we shared on Saturday amongst many other goodies.
God bless and hopefully, we won’t see each other for some time. If I ignore you again, make some noise, but not with your month full.
Nancy Lundy
Hello and thank you for sharing that intimate story with us. I bet that most of us know every single diet out there. You too, I bet. Who doesn’t know the protein/ no carb diet or the grapefruit diet or Wt Watchers, Atkins, Jenny Craig, Nutri Systems, blood type, no dairy…I could go on and on. Oh, and there is calorie counting too including wearing the bodyfit or fit bit thngie on your arm counting your steps, calorie count and who knows what else.
Knowledge never stopped me from carbing out all weekend or any other time I chose. Some people are really lucky and can can just make a decision to eat a half cup of rice or one piece of toast or protein and veggies and that’s it for life. Never worked for me, though. This kind of eating, block out emotions, numbing myself eating is emotional. Totally. It is not based on lack of information about what I “should” be doing. It’s alcoholic eating, alcoholic craving and it’s food addiction that can easily switch to alcohol or drugs or sex or even shopping. Addiction is a disease. It’s not a lack of will power. It’s an emotional, spiritual and physical addiction. In all my years of suffering with lost weekends and to be honest, lost years-all due to this kind of compulsive carbohydrate eating-the only only only program that has been the answer for me is Overeater’s Anonymous. Every single person in every meeting (and there are tons everywhere and worldwide) would totally identify with that eloquent story you wrote. I do. When we eat like this and give up our lives, intimacy, relationships..life, the only way out is through and that requires having other non-food tools we need to face our demons that we may not even know we have. Ugh. Emily White
Wow – thank you! You’re right – for many of us the eating isn’t about a “plan” but about emotional need. Food comforts me, especially when eaten in front of a television. It’s how I destress. I have noticed that when I do yoga I do not have a desire for the junk food when I get home. Of course, that might be because I’m so exhausted the most I can do is sit on the couch and ask my husband to get me a Diet Dr. Pepper.
Thanks for sharing your very insightful thoughts – and you speak for many of us!
The answer for me was going Paleo. I’ve come to realize that grains, legumes and potatoes are responsible for a lot of ill-health. I eat lots of protein (including eggs every day – the less cooked they are, the better), lots of veggies, lots of fat (coconut oil, unheated olive oil, butter, cream, cheeses – raw if possible) and a little fruit (mostly berries). I stay away from foods high in fructose (including dried fruits) and try to keep sugar intake low. Having said that, I tolerate dairy well and eat ice cream on a regular basis! I, too, can’t give up Ben and Jerry’s, or cheescake, or chocolate… I eat Kefir on a daily basis (good probiotic). Combine this with starting the day by drinking 3 glasses of water with a dash of sea salt in (or read the book “Your not sick, you’re thirsty) and you won’t look back.
I’ve never been healthier, slimmer or felt better mentally and physically (I’m 55 and have resolved my IBS issues and the Big C – constipation, at last). I urge anyone to try it for a month and see how you feel – that is the ultimate test.
One of the main resources I use is the Primal Blueprint – book and website for Paleo 101. Or Dr. Mercola. The book I’m reading now is called The Paleo Answer and it delves into the science of why eating like our ancestors is the way to go. I know it works, I just need to understand more of the ‘why’….
Best of luck to you,
Jane
Hi Jane! Thank you so much – I have now heard “Paleo” enough to try it. Plus, the foods you listed are foods that I really do like, so I might be able to stick with it. I’m going to look into it, and am so glad that it makes you feel so much better. We need all the energy we can get, and I do think that as we age our bodies are less tolerant of the junk. Thanks again – I’ll let you know if I try it!
I am a diabetic. My diabetes has been out of control for over 7 years. I can barely walk my feet hurt so much from nerve damage. I am lucky that is the worst of it as kidney failure, blindness, amputation are common and would have been symptoms to ‘look forward to’ if I hadn’t kicked my carbohydrate addiction.
My boyfriend also has diabetes. We were both becoming sicker and sicker. Doing large amounts of insulin and oral meds. every day. We both have switched to 20 carbs a day food plans. My boyfriend has lost almost 60 pounds (in 4 months), no longer does ANY insulin, and his last A1C was 5.3 which is normal for a non-diabetec! Alas, I am not responding that brilliantly. Forty pound loss and still doing one shot a day of insulin. My A1C has gone from 11.4 to 6.8 in less than a year.
Any time I feel tempted I remind myself about how much better it is to do one shot of insulin a day rather than FIVE! We both feel great. The 20 grams of carb a day is from vegetables.
If you are obese, pre-diabetic, or diabetic PLEASE think about this. The sugar cravings do decrease if you stick to the 20 or less carbs a day because your body switches from burning carb to fat. Soon you won’t really feel hungry any more. A lot of other positive changes occur from cutting wheat from your diet. You will have more energy and you will be more alert.
Recovering diabetic,
Megan
My doctor has just told me to give up carbs and sugar as well. I am hypoglcymic and post menopause and I am gaining weight unexpectedly. I feel exhausted and depressed. I needed to read your arcticle as I love my coffee, (I take sugar in my coffee) and my pasta and bread. Apparently it doesn’t matter if it is whole wheat or not, they have to go…
Thanks for sharing
I gave up carbs and sugar two years ago and not only lost 15 pounds, but went off a couple of my medications and had been feeling terrific. I had noticed that I`d gained some weight over some months, so I decided to drop carbs and sugar from my diet. In about 9 weeks, I had lost the 7 pounds off my stomach, plus an additional 5from my hips I ate pretty much whatever I wanted, just no carbs or sugar.. I hit my 65th Birthday feeling fantastic! The key to keeping the fat off is my strength training program. I use moderately heavy weights and try to get in 4 workouts per week. I know that muscle burns more calories than fat and the side benefit to strength training is that I can still squat down to get things off low shelves, have better balance so I’m not as likely to fall, carry heavier objects and step up onto high curbs in the street.
Cat Cole: Excellent information – and I will check out your husband’s website. I am steering away from carbs and sugar, particularly since my stomach is flattening but is still too flabby. And the yoga isn’t really working on my upper-body strength, so I think I do need some ideas for that. Thanks for sharing these excellent tips!