| Archive for The Magic Bus Trip Never get off the Bus! |
| Susanne |
Let's start this shindig off...My name is Susanne and I am a crazy-insane carbohydrate addict.How do I know I'm addicted to carbs and that it's a problem? Ask yourself a few of these questions: * After a full breakfast, do you get hungry before it's time for lunch? * Do you have a difficult time stopping, once you start to eat starches, snack foods, junk food, or sweets? * Do you sometimes feel unsatisfied even though you have just finished a meal? * Does the sight, smell, or even the thought of food, sometimes stimulate you to eat? * Do you sometimes eat even though you are not really hungry? * Are you sometimes unable to keep from snacking at night? * After a large meal, do you feel very sluggish, almost drugged? * Do you get unexplainably tired and/or hungry in the afternoon? * Have you at times continued eating even though you felt uncomfortably full? * Have you been on diet after diet, only to lose weight then regain it again? Scoring: 0 - 2 You do not appear to be carbohydrate addicted. 3 - 4 You appear to have a mild carbohydrate addiction which, at times, you may be able to control (although not at all times) and with some difficulty. 5 - 7 Your score indicates that you are moderately addicted to carbohydrates. At times you may be able to control your eating but you may find that stress, premenstrual changes, tiredness, boredom, unexpressed anger or pressure may increase your carbohydrate cravings. 8 - 10 You have scored in the severe carbohydrate addiction range. You may be struggling to control your eating without realizing that your body has been fighting you, literally driving you to eat and then storing the excess food energy as fat. Source of this 'quiz' and the scoring: "The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet" by Drs. Richard & Rachael Heller http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/caquiz.html * * * * * I scored a TEN on this test when I took it in April, 2005. I was shocked, to say the least. Even though I have chosen Atkins as my low carb way-of-eating, I am grateful to both Dr. Atkins and the Hellers (as well as a 12-step program) for helping me to understand that my eating disorder (compulsive overeater) does NOT mean that I am weak, lazy, or lack moral fiber. My eating problems are caused by an ADDICTION. The only LASTING treatment for addiction that I have discovered in my travels is ABSTINENCE. Now, in general, when one is addicted to a substance, such as drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, one strives to quit using these substances and to stay quit. Food is a slightly different substance, however. We must eat to live. Yet, I was eating myself to death as a carb addict. I did understand the nature of addiction and that the treatment for it is abstinence. So how to be 'abstinent' from food without dying, literally? I had to find a way of eating that did not trigger my addiction. I knew that every time I put food in my mouth, literally, I binged/overate. What made me binge? Through the above quiz and other resources, I realized my binging behavior seemed to be triggered most often by foods high in carbohydrates. It seemed logical that not eating carbs would treat the addiction. But HOW to do it? In researching various LC plans/options, I realized that certain carbohydrates were more of a problem for me than others. For example, I am positive I have NEVER binged on lettuce in my life. Never binged on fried eggs or beef roast.  However, I HAVE binged repeatedly and COMPULSIVELY on things like potato chips and french fries and cake and bread and...you get the idea! Thus, I realized I could eat lettuce (and most vegetable) carbs as well as most sources of animal protein, but I could not eat potato carbs. Or sugar carbs - ANY kind of sugar, 'natural' or not. Wheat carbs were another area I needed to look at carefully.
So...abstinence from my carbohydrate addiction took the form of eating primarily animal protein/meat, some cheese, eggs, lots of fat,and a few vegetables occasionally. Even the limited vegetables I eat sometimes cause me to 'crave' - that's how messed up my body is. But, choosing low carb as my "abstinence" from my carb addiction worked. Worked very well. I've lost 84 pounds at this point and am 16 pounds from goal. I've been LC for 17 months. I have never lost more than 25 pounds or dieted more than 3 months in the past. What a difference this time. Before, I dieted to lose weight and couldn't wait to get back to the 'business' of eating. I was looking for a 'quick fix'. Now, I realize that I can't go back to eating the 'old' way - I have made a permanent lifestyle change. I am not perfect. I generally don't cheat/eat the 'old' way, but even now, I sometimes 'overdo it' on low carb foods. My addictive behaviors will always be with me. I just do not feed them real sugar, starchy vegetables, or processed foods. There's more to my story than this - but this is the scientific/physical aspect of my dealings with and success in overcoming my very real addiction to carbs. I invite you all to share your stories, struggles, and ideas about your addiction. I look forward to hearing your experience, strength, and hope. 
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| Bobi |
Great post, Susanne.
I'm lucky...I've been on VLC for such a long time that I only snack at night on HB eggs with horseradish, cheese, or sliced roast beef or ham. I think I scored a 1. Thanks for the info, I think it will be helpful to a lot of people. 
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| Susanne |
Would you have scored higher before you were VLC? Just curious.... |
| Bobi |
Probably not much higher. My preference in food has always been meat, cheese, and eggs. I was never much of a bread, or starch eater.
I take after my great-grandmother who loved meat and meat only. She lived to be in her 90's. |
| Steve |
I was a yes to all of this..and now I'm prediabetic and had a battle with a cancer scare.
great,great post Susanne 75% of the population are carb sensitive.. |
| Heather |
It's been a while since I have any significant daily carbs in my diet, but I know I have problems with carbs, all carbs, including veggies.
Restricting all carbs and going as low carb as possible I have had GREAT-HUGE improvement in cravings and binges. When I do get cravings and binge I feel out of touch with reality and don't have any sense of getting full. I can and have eaten huge amounts of food and it's not limited to carbs. 
And this reminds me of something that happened yesterday, I took out a clean cookie sheet out of the cupboard because I was going to bake chicken and I just started imagining the cookies while it was completely clean and empty. 
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| Suzanne |
I score a 10!  And I'm really having trouble avoiding carbs completely. I feel better emotionally when I have a few carbs...but I can't seem to stop with a few. And so the cycle continues.
Today, I'm trying to get back on track. Susanne, you're a big inspiration. Thank you. Any ideas on getting through the cravings until I can detox the carbs out? |
| Susanne |
Suzanne...
Decide you are not eating off no matter what happens today. Just do it for today. Or, if necessary, just do it for the next hour. Once that hour's up, do it for the next hour...and so on. Prepare lots of stuff in advance, even if it's just sliced cheese and meats and boiled eggs, so you have NO excuse to eat off. Take LC food with you everywhere so you won't eat off. Take L-Glutamine (two tablets) with a big glass of water every two hours or so to bust those cravings - oftener if you need to. It won't hurt you and you can't OD. That's what I do when I've been eating too many carbs. It works every time. |
| Dave |
Susanne! Congrats on ONEderland!
Yes a good post! Before Atkins I would have scored highly, now I practice abstinence. People think I have some sort of super-will, but it's not. I'm just using a physically addictive substance anymore. If you fix the physical part, the emotional and mental stuff becomes easier. But it good to remain conscious that we are only a few carb meals away from relapse! |
| Suzanne |
Looks like I better get the L-Gluamine today. It's an hour by hour kinda thing right now. :( |
| Suzanne |
Maybe it's a minute by minute. Maybe I should just chunk it all. Nawww. Waaa, Waaa, Waaa. Ok, I'll take my whinning elsewhere.
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| Susanne |
Whine all you want, Suzanne. But take the L-Glutamine. Even if it is hour-by-hour or minute-by-minute. Post and let us know how you are doing.
Hey, Dave - great to hear from you. Your philosophy sounds identical to mine...you must know some of the same folks I do when it comes to the whole abstinence gig. 
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| Karen |
WOW Susanne
thanks for posting this..awesome thoughts! thanks for everyones input too..i got so much out of it! YES! i am a carb addict...i have known that for YEARS!! i could say yes to every question! When sugar and white flour products are in my system..i have no wilpower whatsoever..im a complete maniac! i have fell off the low carb wagon many times and sometimes it would take WEEKS to get back up again! I can totally relate to all everyone is saying here..BUT my take on it is slightly different..so here is my 2 cents.... i used to think that ALL carbs set me off..but over time i learned that is NOT the case. After going paleo for awhile i learned that fruit, veggies and nuts DO NOT cause me cravings or binges..im fine with them. Recently i have learned that beans, potatoes and rice do not cause me cravings or binges..i am fine with them also! I have come to the conclusion..NATURAL whole foods are ok for me. What is NOT ok for me is anything with sugar, white flour and even wheat i think! Those three things i need to stay away from!!! And i basically HAVE since February (except for a few minor infractions and falling off the wagon ..lol) Whether im doing atkins, no carb, paleo, or nourishing traditions..i am losing weight..i am sleeping well..i am feeling good..i am not craving or wanting to binge. When i put sugar or white flour in my body..i crave for days and end up in a small or very large binge..its FRIGHTENING!! This reality is WHY no other diets ever worked for me..no Low fat, Weight watchers, yadda yadda..because they INCLUDE offending foods!! I am now FULLY aware of this!! i have run the gamut..i have tested and tried it all. I can ONLY be on a no carb or low carb or all whole foods type diet..PERIOD!!! I am kidding myself to believe otherwise... |
| Steve |
Susanne and suzanne..
If you want some instant carb craving reductions,open a 500mg glutamine capsule and let ithe powder dissolve under your tongue..glutamine if good, should taste like sugar.. |
| Susanne |
Hey...I've never tried that, Steve. I've always bought tablets, for one thing. I shall have to get some capsules!
SUZANNE....how's it going today? Post and tell us how you are doing, good or bad. Remember - support from your support group works well, but you have to SHOW UP. Plus, I just plain miss ya, my weirdo soul-sister!
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| Suzanne |
Yesterday was my day to be serious, my birthday present to myself. Everyone gave me chocolate...including some brought from Germany. Tomorrow is game day. Sunday. I'm starting again Sunday.
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| Heather |
Keep us posted. I had a bad day yesterday, today I am back and plan on following strictly all week. |
| Susanne |
Keep us posted, ladies! I am craving weird stuff like cinnamon rolls (well, that's not weird) and peanutbutter & jelly sandwiches (why? they are BORING, really), but I'm remaining strong and plotting LC alternatives.
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| Dean |
I've been on a nine day donut bender! 
TUE 8 donuts WED 5 donuts THU 4 donuts FRI 7 donuts (along with pizza, Costco sample junk, and rum/pineapple-orange juice) SAT 3 donuts (plus rum and juice) SUN 0 donuts (but, rum and juice) MON 0 donuts (but, rum and juice) TUE 5 donuts (and juice) WED 5 donuts I keep saying I am going to get off of this... but, I keep getting back on it. I have had to make some MAJOR decisions in the last week... and this has all been a BIG security blanket for me! That is what I do... reach for sugar for COMFORT! I would reach for booze... but, I DON'T want to get addicted to that shit... and I really feel horrible the next day when drinking, even small amounts of wine. AND... booze is SO EXPENSIVE! Donuts are THE CHEAPEST fix I can do. That is pure economics on my part. Plus... they are so good and satisfying. All that soft white flour, creme/jelly filling, sweet icing. They are the perfect comfort food for so little money. It's truly pathetic!
I am going to make myself some major treats over the next few days. Smoothies... deviled eggs... chicken wings... bbq beef spare ribs... whatever it takes to GET OFF THIS CRAP!!! It is now starting to affect my sinuses! I hate it... cuz it is such EMPTY calories!!! And, that is going to lead me to getting sick! I have been feeling very well over the last several months. Now, with flu season approaching, I am going to run my immune system down, and start catching illnesses from others. Something I NEVER do! Wish me luck on getting over this hump! I have made the changes I need to make. But, the whole thing is still messing with me mentally... so, I don't know if I am truly over it yet. I have a LOT of anxiety about my future these days! I know that is the ONLY thing that is causing this STUPID behavior. And, it of course just feeds on itself, and makes me feel depressed and helpless when I eat this CRAP! Sorry for the rant. But, I am having quite a time with this!
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| Suzanne |
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| kateryna |
Susanne, first post was fabulous and you are far too humble. You have lost a lot of weight and you are doing great 
I scored 9 out of 10 because no matter how many carbs I binge on, I never eat at night. Never did and so it never became a habit. Plus I don't watch TV and since stopping watching TV I haven't craved evening snacks. Dean  , I understand perfectly. I just went through a month of hell and am finally stumbling out of the fog. I think what did it for me was the severe intestinal, depressive and arthritic distress that was returning. That really snapped me back into shape, but not only snapped but scared me back into shape. I kept thinking, another stroke coming right up.
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| Susanne |
Thanks, Kateryna!
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| Dean |
Well, I've been doing really well for the last few days. Today I had a REALLY STRONG craving to get a bunch of donuts... but I resisted that urge! I kept remembering how sick I was getting, and how I had totally recovered once I gave up the carbs and went back to eating meat and fat.
I am planning on always having either bbq beef spare ribs, marinated chicken thighs, or chicken hot wings, cooked and ready to eat, in my fridge... I'll rotate through these "treats". I also plan on having deviled eggs on hand all the time as well. And, I need to get back to my daily smoothies! This, and my java are gonna keep me eating clean. If I do this, and eat some raw steak everyday, I should be fine.
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| Dave |
Dean,
Low Carb treats are definately the way to go - to conquer cravings! My trigger food is pizza, but there are some fantastic low carb pizzas that one can make! |
| Susanne |
Yes, there are some great LC pizza recipes - in fact, I posted my fave under "Miscellaneous" on the Bus! |