Hello, I have read the SP on advice of an eating disorder specialist. I have been bingeing for over 20 years now (I'm 31) and I am so sad that I may never be able to stop. I have attempted this plan but usually by lunch or midafternoon I'm downing the BIG O' carbs. (You know, the really bad stuff!!) I feel unable to stop and VERY discouraged. I want to lose roughly 40+ pounds. I have never stuck to anything for any length of time and I'm afraid to try. You all seem quite supportive and I would appreciate any feedback. I'm just not sure I can gather the strength within me to try ONE more time. But I realize this is no way to live. I have little energy and my moods are all over the place. UGGGGGG!! I'm not always this dark by the way Just the carbs talking I guess

Hi there Suomichick, welcome!

Of course you can do it! It will help if you rid your house of the unnecessary carbs. When I started my sister was the recipient of several cartons of "carbage."

It may help if you plan your meals ahead of time. For instance, if you know you are going to have a delicious salad with Caesar dressing with your lunchtime chicken (or whatever), it may help you avoid falling into the carb trap.

Have a look around the rest of the site here, Suomi. You can start with Low Carb Tips on the orange bar at the top of the screen. I found that one very helpful. Also, if you go to Newbies' Questions (go to "forum jump" at the bottom of your screen and scroll down), go to "Hot Links" for loads of useful info.

All the best to you, my dear!

Rosebud

Welcome Suomichick

I've found that keeping a log or diary of what I eat helps a great deal. Whenever I do it I feel so much more in control. I've used both a program in my palm pilot and FitDay www.fitday.com. FitDay is my current favorite.

The nice thing about TSP is there are so few cravings once you eliminate sugar and processed foods from your eating plan. It's created extraordinary willpower for me when it comes to resisting temptations. I honestly don't want whatever it is.

In addition to the food diary I like to set exercise goals for myself. Planning ahead really helps like getting my gym stuff together and packing my lunch the night before is the most effective.

I've been motivated by all the successful people in this group so I hope you find it works for you, too. Good luck.

Susan

Hello S'chick! Glad to have you here.

Sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with the cravings and bingeing. I can tell you from experience that eating lo carb is the ONLY way to overcome the cravings.

And with this way of eating/life (WOE/WOL) comes big changes that are to last your lifetime. It's not just a weight loss program, it's a life changing program. It's all about what your motivation is and what you do to put that motivation to work.

I was a serious carb addict. I was a chocolatier for many years, creating and making candies, specialty cakes, and chocolate confections, with a major investment in equipment, a large stock of the world's finest dark chocolates, and literally thousands of dollars worth of stuff in my kitchen devoted to CARBS!

Sugar was purchased in giant bags, girlfriend!

The only way I was able to break free of hi-carbing it was to GET RID OF IT ALL! That's right, I got rid of all my kitchen equipment that was strictly devoted to working with chocolate and pastries, and cakes to some extent (I can still use the pans, so I kept them).

I gave many bags of "carbage" as Rosebud called it, to neighbors, including many bags of nothing but different chocolate that cost us a fortune to a friend who was not concerned about his carb intake.

I gave up a lot to begin this. I did this all on the first day we started and have not looked back. I rid the house of all offending carbs. Needless to say, the pantry was nearly empty, and the fridge was so white and bright inside from the shleves being empty, I thought for sure we had just bought a new fridge!

Fo me, the only way was going ALL THE WAY the day I started, not leaving a way out, a way to cheat, an excuse to fail.

I'm an adult, and I figured I needed to grow up and take responsibility for my eating habits. Therefore, drastic measures were needed. And this is the first time in my life that I have made a complete and lasting change in not only my eating habits, but in my entire lifestyle!

We ahve become more activity focused, not watching TV anymore, but doing things outside now. Food is no longer a focus, I don't think about eating anymore the way I used to. I used to be thinking about what my next meal would be while I was eating another meal! Not anymore. My mind is completely changed.

It's the carbs. Not eating too many carbs has now cleared my mind and changed the way my hormones are working in my brain and body. I can see the big picture now. I think you will, too, if you make a decision and take every step you possibly can to make it happen.

Otherwise, you will leave yourself an "out," a way of excusing yourself when you can get thru the craving times.

I have certain times when I desire a certain something, and I plan a time when I will have that special treat. I know what to expect of my body, the carb hangover I will get the next day, etc. After 6 months on this, I know exactly what I need to stay away from, and I get it more fine tuned each month that passes!

It's all a lifestyle change, and you, too, will fine tune it as you go.

I prayed for you and I really hope that you will focus on the HEALING, not the weight loss. I stalled for like 2 months, but stuck with it. Even my measurments didn't budge for 3 months! ARG! But, now, the changes and weight loss are happening again, as my body is healing at its own pace. Give it time and your constant attention. You will succeed, if you let yourself.

Take care, looking forward to seeing you around.

Wow. Betty, thanks for such an amazing response. It couldn't have come at a better time. I honestly cannot thank you enough for your timely post. I didn't read it until today, Sunday, and I am so desperate I am in tears. I "started" this plan on, oh I can't remember, a few days ago, and I have been bingeing ever since. Why, why, why, I can only guess because I am so afraid of taking this first step, to "grow up" as you put it. Sugar, and junk food, have been my secret best friends for over 20 years; how do you just cut the cord? I'm also a stay at home mom so the kitchen is ever-present. It lures me in like a drug creating stress even when, like now, there are no lurking carbs. I still feel the stress, though and want to eat, eat, eat.

BUT, Betty is you and others here can be so positive, I think I should at least give it my all. I admire you for hanging in there when you had no changes for 2 solid months. That's incredibly impressive!!! I am very moved by your committment.

Okay, here goes nothing. I had a lovely protein rich omelet this morning and I'm trying to drink lots of water. It's bloody hot today in the northeast, and I just love wearing these shorts that accentuate my wiggles and giggles (kind term for cellulite)!

A big thank you to all who have expressed such kindness.

Adri

Hi Adri and welcome to a very supportive (and addictive!) group

Like Betty, I didn't lose much for ages but I was feeling so good, I kept on with it and finally have started losing. What really kept me going was that the cravings stopped. I used to have such cravings that I would constantly be rummaging round the kitchen looking for biscuits or sweets, or have to rush round to the supermarket for a box of chocolates. The extra protein and fat fills you up for ages, so you don't feel hunger pangs. When the cravings stopped, I felt a terrific sense of freedom, now I don't think about food all the time, and hardly give sweets a second glance.

When I started, I was desperate like you, and couldn't believe all the people telling me cravings would disappear after some time on this WOE, but believe me, they have. I don't need sugar at all now and even the sweetcorn my daughter served up last night was too sweet to eat!!

Please stick with it - take it one day at a time. It took me nearly a year of striving to get here but there is no other place I would like to be right now. I get a bit hot and bothered when I don't lose like I'd like to, but I know deep down that I'm in it for my health and I feel good. Read the journals of Betty, Lisaf and DebPenny and you will get a good idea of the plan and how well they are doing. Start a journal if you have time.

Best of luck and we'll be routing for you. Don't despair - you will get there soon and be feeling pretty good for it.

Judy

The other thing I forgot to say, Adri:

Don't tell yourself you are on a diet. You say you have been bingeing ever since you started the diet. That is exactly how I was. I am a perfectionist (drat!) and if I didn't stick exactly to my diet, all was lost and I binged.

This is a change to your way of eating. If you have to eat something sweet or carby, never mind,eat it, then just carry on with following the Schwarzbein guidelines. Soon these times will get less and you will be on the WOE. Binges are a thing of the past now and hopefully gone forever.

Good luck
Judy