Hi all, I am working on Session 9 guilt and worry. tonight, i ate a whole ice cream sundae and I feel sick. I have this thing with food and anxiety. If I don't eat well - eat sugar or too many carbs, it brings on anxiety in the evening for me. I know I should not eat sugar or ice cream b/c even if I eat a little I feel sick. It is sort of like an addiction for me in that it feels like I can't even have a little, like an alcolholic can't really have alcolhol, even a little. anyone out there with sugar addiction? anyone out there who feels sick after they eat poorly and then starts to get panicky as a result? It feels like I have a self destructive urge and that I use sugar to self destruct. I am doing better on this program but then I have nights like tonight. It feels like 2 steps forward and 3 steps back.
please write tonight, if anyone can relate.
thank you so much.
and best wishes to all.
Mary
sugar addiction and anxiety...
-
Guest
Hey Mary, you're not alone! Although I don't have a sugar addiction, I do have issues around food. It used to bring on great anxiety if I ate something that was what I considered 'bad'.
I've learned to not be so hard on myself and to look at food more 'realistically'. I think what you experience is a result of being too hard on yourself. You crave something, so you have it. Then you beat yourself up so much for having it, you figure "well, I might as well eat all of it, since I ate some".
If that's the case, that's probably the thought pattern you need to work on. You're not doing anything wrong by having a small scoop of ice cream or a cookie. Try to give yourself the comfort you deserve!
It's hard - food issues are really challenging, but you can do it!
Ronda
I've learned to not be so hard on myself and to look at food more 'realistically'. I think what you experience is a result of being too hard on yourself. You crave something, so you have it. Then you beat yourself up so much for having it, you figure "well, I might as well eat all of it, since I ate some".
If that's the case, that's probably the thought pattern you need to work on. You're not doing anything wrong by having a small scoop of ice cream or a cookie. Try to give yourself the comfort you deserve!
It's hard - food issues are really challenging, but you can do it!
Ronda
-
Guest
Yes I definitely notice my anxiety or jittery feelings in the evening if I've eaten chocolate or too much sugar especially late afternoon or evening. I convince myself dark chocolate is good for me but even 2 pcs. of that instead of one effects me. I felt anxiety last night or jittery, other types of feeling in my body. We're not all the same. Some people get by and it doesn't affect them much at all. I need to eat fruits more. Lately when I crave sweets I chew sugarless gum. Today I went to the bakery but bought only 1 sweet roll for myself and gave the other 2 away right away to friends. It doesn't pay to take it home cuz it would be so good I wouldn't wait I'd gobble it the same day. It's best to know your own body and when you're tempted think of other alternatives.
Do not feel guilty when you make a mistake. Learn from them and move on. You don't conquer all this guilt and worry stuff overnight. I'm a big worrier. I can get over one and hop right into another one. There are many disciplines we need to learn in this program. Many people are disciplined and can learn and apply this program faster. I'm not that way. It's taking me longer but I know eventually I'll get there. Some days you may be 3 steps back and only 2 ahead but other days you may be 3 ahead so take each day as it comes, learn and grow from it. YOU CAN MAKE IT!!
Do not feel guilty when you make a mistake. Learn from them and move on. You don't conquer all this guilt and worry stuff overnight. I'm a big worrier. I can get over one and hop right into another one. There are many disciplines we need to learn in this program. Many people are disciplined and can learn and apply this program faster. I'm not that way. It's taking me longer but I know eventually I'll get there. Some days you may be 3 steps back and only 2 ahead but other days you may be 3 ahead so take each day as it comes, learn and grow from it. YOU CAN MAKE IT!!
-
Guest
Don't be so hard on yourself- it's ok to indulge! What is life without a sundae? I think the connection between sugar and anxiety is WAY overrated. I mean sure you don't want to consume tons for general health and if you have blood sugar issues it could be a problem, but I've still found no evidence about sugar/anxiety being connected. I've talked to numerous MD's about it and done tons of research- it's just not there.
I am not saying sugar is good for you, but I think everything in moderation is fine. If you read a book that tells you sugar will make you anxious, it will because of what you read. It's placebo. At any rate, be kind to yourself- that's a ton more important that how much sugar you consume.
I am not saying sugar is good for you, but I think everything in moderation is fine. If you read a book that tells you sugar will make you anxious, it will because of what you read. It's placebo. At any rate, be kind to yourself- that's a ton more important that how much sugar you consume.
M4-
You might want to treat your addiction just like us booze-hounds. Total abstinance for a while till you think you have a grip on it, then trying to control it if you want, or decideing your better off without it. Trying to control it is a much harder road becous eventually you usually end up falling off the wagon. I'm still trying to learn how to enjoy a little taste every now and then, and I can hold it there for a while, longer and longer everytime. Evan though eventually I end up back in the dumper each time, I go back to total abstinence then after a while I see how long I can ride it out with just a little taste. Someday I hope to care about myself enough honestly say a taste is enough for me, I'll be on my way now.
You might want to treat your addiction just like us booze-hounds. Total abstinance for a while till you think you have a grip on it, then trying to control it if you want, or decideing your better off without it. Trying to control it is a much harder road becous eventually you usually end up falling off the wagon. I'm still trying to learn how to enjoy a little taste every now and then, and I can hold it there for a while, longer and longer everytime. Evan though eventually I end up back in the dumper each time, I go back to total abstinence then after a while I see how long I can ride it out with just a little taste. Someday I hope to care about myself enough honestly say a taste is enough for me, I'll be on my way now.
ATTITUDE -- The mind is like a parachute...it doesn't work unless it's open!!
-
Guest
I also have a huge issue with sugar and have struggled with various addictions in the past. I never looked at it as an "addiction". A lot of people who don't struggle with that do not understand the seriousness of how much it is an addiction...even though it's "only sugar".
As doctor's have explained it to me, if we have an intolerance to sugar (and I mean physically, like hypoglycemia or Diabetes) and we eat too much of it, our pancreas over reacts and releases too much insulin and that, in turn, causes our blood sugar to drop too quickly. That's what causes the symptoms that feel a lot like anxiety and if we struggle with anxiety it turns into a vicious cycle and in comes the panic.
The best thing that we can do is to maintain a level blood sugar by eating healthy, smaller amounts throughout the day. Most people can also enjoy sugar, within moderation. Myself, however, will get "on a roll" so to speak. I can't eat just a little. Much like an alcoholic can't have "just one drink". My body will crave it and the next thing I know (quote by Dave Navarro) "I'll wake up in a street with twinkie wrappers all over me and not remember the night before".
Right now I am doing HORRIBLE with my sugar intake and I'm having a whole lot of problems with anxiety. I notice a definite difference when I'm eating right; they virtually go away.
There are some really good books on sugar addiction and why it is and what it does and how to break the cycle (following it is another story).
Good luck; recognizing it is half the battle.
As doctor's have explained it to me, if we have an intolerance to sugar (and I mean physically, like hypoglycemia or Diabetes) and we eat too much of it, our pancreas over reacts and releases too much insulin and that, in turn, causes our blood sugar to drop too quickly. That's what causes the symptoms that feel a lot like anxiety and if we struggle with anxiety it turns into a vicious cycle and in comes the panic.
The best thing that we can do is to maintain a level blood sugar by eating healthy, smaller amounts throughout the day. Most people can also enjoy sugar, within moderation. Myself, however, will get "on a roll" so to speak. I can't eat just a little. Much like an alcoholic can't have "just one drink". My body will crave it and the next thing I know (quote by Dave Navarro) "I'll wake up in a street with twinkie wrappers all over me and not remember the night before".
Right now I am doing HORRIBLE with my sugar intake and I'm having a whole lot of problems with anxiety. I notice a definite difference when I'm eating right; they virtually go away.
There are some really good books on sugar addiction and why it is and what it does and how to break the cycle (following it is another story).
Good luck; recognizing it is half the battle.
-
Guest
M4:
I hear you! I have that problem, too.
It is real.
But hang in there! You will conquer it.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
Fibre, fruit and protein.
Eat lunch on time. Again something healthful.
Dinner on time, also.
The day will come when you won't crave the sweets. And you'll feel so much better.
However, as others have posted on here, don't keep beating yourself up. Be very kind to yourself. Sooth yourself. Tell yourself that you are doing okay!!
Drink water.
Good luck. I really feel that you are doing okay.
You'll be fine.
MaryJane
I hear you! I have that problem, too.
It is real.
But hang in there! You will conquer it.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
Fibre, fruit and protein.
Eat lunch on time. Again something healthful.
Dinner on time, also.
The day will come when you won't crave the sweets. And you'll feel so much better.
However, as others have posted on here, don't keep beating yourself up. Be very kind to yourself. Sooth yourself. Tell yourself that you are doing okay!!
Drink water.
Good luck. I really feel that you are doing okay.
You'll be fine.
MaryJane
~No one can make you feel inferior without your permission~
-
Guest
After reading these posts I went to the store and bought some slice and bake chocolate chip cookies! Oh well, I'll bake two of them and hide the rest. Ya right! I don't have hypoglycemia or diabetes but I know how much better I feel when I keep the blood sugar levels more even throughout the day. I don't get as nervous about things in general.