Recognizing the Problem

Sugar addiction is real. I was starting to eat real, whole foods. I did lose 30 pounds with this way of eating. But the thing that crushed me the most, was the intense cravings for cupcakes, muffins, chocolate bars, and chips. I was allowing myself to eat these in moderation. However, it did not seem to matter how hard I tried, I could not control myself. I could not have just one cupcake or just a handful of chips. That was not possible for me. The more of these I ate, the more I craved.

Not Just the Junk

At this point I was 200 pounds. I recognized that I could not eat this way for the rest of my life. The cravings were too intense. I could not resist them. I really could not. I had intense cravings for all the baked goods and processed food, but I also had the same problem with oatmeal, where I couldn’t stop eating it and I also noticed this with quinoa.

Moral Support

Yes, quinoa is healthy, but I was getting a third or fourth plate full at supper. My weight crept back up to 210 pounds.

It was about this time that my sister in law came to visit. I was telling her how it was just so hard to stay away from certain foods. She is very health conscious and looks into a lot of natural healing. She was telling me how addictive sugar really is in studies that have been done.

I Do My Own Research

Well, since I love researching, I started digging into this idea. WOW! My mind was blown. I found one expert who really dug into this idea. This was a HUGE turning point for me. It was also so freeing, mentally, for me. I had always beaten myself up for not being able to control myself. What was wrong with me? I would go to a social function, have one or two cookies, and then when I got home I would find some baked goods in the fridge (because you know, it’s essential!) I would lie to myself, and say, ‘I’ll just have one’, and the next time I looked down half the plate of brownies was gone.

But, when I started listening to experts in the area of food addiction, I could take all that blame off of myself. I wasn’t the only one! It also helped me to realize that I had to completely abstain from processed food. I also had to stay away from some other foods, that are maybe not so bad, like oatmeal.

The first few days, it was hard. The cravings were so intense. But after I got past the first week, my cravings went away. I filled my head with positive podcasts, learning about food addiction and recovery stories. I no longer craved it.

Of course, I would go out and see people eating, say, a cookie. It would slightly upset me, because I would think, “how can they eat that and be so thin?” I had to admit to myself that this was my problem and that everyone struggles with something. I need to be grateful for this knowledge and the ability to HEAL. This was a gift from God to know that there was/is a better way to live.

I am so grateful and blessed to be able to heal and live to my fullest, to have the mental and physical energy to be the best I can be for my children. I am no longer tired all day long. I am not constantly thinking about the next time I can find a sugary treat. It is so FREEING.