Everyday Systems

So I was doing so well on this diet for about the first 3.5 weeks. My schedule varies a lot and interferes with meals, but I was actually kind of enjoying trying to work out when I could fit in meals and spacing them out so I wouldn't get too hungry-it was kind of like a puzzle. On S days I only had 1 or 2 treats, I was running about 5 days a week, and I felt really good and I was so happy to find a diet that I actually liked.

And then, like I said, I was about 3.5 weeks in, it was a Tuesday, and I was craving something sweet and cold. I waited until Saturday, and then I just went crazy that Saturday and ate sooo much. I told myself I would not eat as many "S's" Sunday, but once again, I went crazy. I once again told myself I would never do so bad on S days again, but once again, I was already craving something sweet by Tuesday, and the next weekend was pretty much a repeat of the one before. After that weekend I felt so sick, and I still was craving sweets by Tuesday, and I kind of just gave in, and so this week I've basically only had one non-s day Monday through Friday.

One of my main problems is that I am a lifeguard, and I'm usually tired, hot, and hungry after my shift. I am always so tempted to go to Starbucks to get a Mocha Frappuccino, and I've just been giving in to the temptation this week. And then, once I screw up, I usually just give up for the rest of the day.

Gahh I'm sorry for such a long post, but I am so upset because I was feeling so great and now I just feel sick/guilty from eating wayy too much. Any encouragement/advice would reallly be appreciated!

Sometimes having sweets causes a chain reaction, you continuously crave them. So, I say death to the sweet tooth! Keeping N days helps to curb that desire. But if you give in... look where it can get you.

My advice would be to have cold drinks available and stay hydrated. Have ice water with some juice in it. Look up the No S thread for H2Orange. Hydrating helps to keep you full.

Hi talk at ya, just one thought: when you say you were "doing so well" am I right in thinking you've been losing weight? If so, I think it is really important to make sure you get enough of the essentials: protein, fat, fibre, vitamins etc. I associate craving sweets with feeling deprived, and think it is important to improve the quality of what you eat if you start feeling any sort of needy.

I have found having Brewer's yeast to boost my level of B vitamins seems to help make sweet cravings disappear - might work for you.

The other big trigger of needy eating for me is emotional upsets - if that is an issue, there are strategies for addressing it, but I didn't get the impression that was your issue.

"Lifeguard" sounds like a job that might burn a fair few calories, have you perhaps been more active when the sweets desire arose? If you are doing a physically demanding job, you just can't cut out too many calories without inviting a crisis - solid progress requires patience.

Wish I had the answer. I fell off after 6 months of almost perfect Vanilla No S. I had success today. Part of it was from reviewing my "reasons to eat sanely" list. I have 38 reasons I've recorded! I can only hope the success will continue. I know mine has a lot to do with a lot of stress from two other situations. That inner trigger is pretty strong, but I know it can be overcome. You can get back to green N days. That alone is a raft on the ocean even with sweet-filled weekends. Post here before you eat, if you can!