can't handle cravings

[Linaaa]

Hey!

I'm so disappointed. I started my first whole30 on March,15 but fell off the Wagon at day 15 (ate everything I wasn't allowed to the past 15 days, including high carb junk food, cheereos,...)

I felt really bad, so I decided to start over the next day. Now I handled the clean eating part for only 3 DAYS!! and today I started binging again It seems that I just can't do it!

Before the binging begings I feel nervous and anxious, I know exactly when it's going to start, but I just can't handle it. What should I Do? Is it because I just don't want it bad enough? But I really really do!!! What do you do, when the dragon awakes? It really feels like being addicted, I look for food everywhere, and get angry when somebody is interrupting by bingings! It's crazy, cause I know how good I felt without these bad eating habits. It seems that I just can't handle it longer than 3 days. What am I doing wrong? I'm really eating enough, but I immediately start binging everything as soon as I start eating high carb veggies (squash, beets,..) or nuts. What can I do?

Please help me!!

Best wishes Lina

[Tina R]

I am not an expert but maybe you just need to take a break from the whole30. Do you eat mostly paleo normally or do you usually eat a SAD diet? Yes you could be addicted to bad food. The food companies have spent billions to create foods that are addictive. Don't be too hard on yourself. Are you a person who like rules or do you like to break rules? Maybe the rules of the whole30 are too much for you at this time. Maybe just try to eat better for a while.

 

Most of us are addicted to nuts. I am eating too many on my whole30 as well. I need to put them away for the rest of it.

 

Are you eating according to the meal planning template? I think that really helps because if you are not hungry you won't go off track. Here is the link if you need it. http://whole30.com/downloads/whole30-meal-planning.pdf.   Good Luck!

[Linaaa]

thank you very much for your fast reply!

I totally used to eat a sad diet!! From the first second on I loved the idea of the whole30 programm and felt great the first 15 days (maybe better than ever before). I'm definitely the type of person that needs strict rules, I just can't handle cheatings in a "healthy way". Why can't I get back on track like the first time- is this normal? there is such an psychological hold on these foods, but I want to win this battle, I just need some help to handle these situations, when there is this strong desire to let got and just eat everything. I always wanted to prove myself, that I can handle my cravings with willpower, but it just doesn't seem to work out.

I would be really thankful for every advice you have for me, to handle this really powerful desire. (Maybe adding more fat would help, but why did it work out the first two weeks without any desire to binge? I didn't change anything?!)

[Karen]

This may be a long shot, but did your strong cravings coincide with your cycle? Women need need NEED more carbs just prior to the period starting, and if it doesn't get what it needs, instinct will tell you to get them however you can. There's science behind that need. If you can time it out to that, than next time, fill up on compliant carbs when you just start to get that urge. Up the fat if you can, too -it'll keep you more satiated. Listen to the urge, but respond in a complaint way.

And if you're nowhere near your period, disregard. I've seen enough posts like this from women in full pms mode to at least ask the question, though.

[beespajamas]

Cravings can be really rough.

 

Perhaps it is more difficult to stick to the Whole30 this time because you know it is possible to jump off the wagon.  I am also on a restart, as I chose to go off plan when I entertained out-of-town guests.  (And I did suffer for it!)

 

One way that I am trying to convince myself NOT to make such a decision again is to put the consequences of such a decision in black and white.  I made a card listing all the negative effects that I attribute to poor food choices (I have 33 symptoms on my list).  When I feel a craving, I look at that list, and it makes it easier to pass up the offending food...not easy, mind you, but easier.

 

Since you seem especially sensitive to high-carb veggies and/or nuts, they may be trigger foods leading you to those binges, so try cutting those out for a while, or at least way back...use them as condiments.  The sugar dragon is sneaky.

[SharynF]

I read something yesterday about giving things up slowly, one at a time, to allow your body to get used to it. Maybe that would suit you better and then approach a Whole30 from a cleaner dietary point later in the year?

 

http://authoritynutrition.com/12-baby-steps-optimal-nutrition/?fb_action_ids=10152326365201763&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

[Linaaa]

Thank you very much, you are such a great help!

Today I'm starting over!

I know that I can do this and I know what's best for me. I thought a lot about my cravings and they always start when I'm alone at home, so from now on calling a friend or going for a walk might help. I made a list with all the negative symptoms (Thank you beespajamas), it's worth a try.

Thank you!!

[AllyB]

I have really strong cravings too almost on a daily basis.  I had them throughout my whole 30 and still have them 1.5 months after finishing it.  Yes, I think sugar and/or carbs is an addiction for some people.  I'm one of them.  It makes me crazy that the cravings are still around and they occupy my thoughts so much.  I have arguments in my head when the cravings start. They go something like this:

 

I want!

No, you shouldn't

Why not?  No one will know

I'll know

Just one

No because you won't stop at one

Why are you being like that?

Why are YOU being like that?

 

Yes, it sounds crazy and maybe it is.  Maybe it's from years of eating too much sugar?  You're not alone.  The cravings are worse right before I start my cycle as mentioned in a previous post.  I will give in one day during that time and make baked plaintain chips (Well Fed2 recipe).  I eat an entire plaintain worth of chips.  That helps satisfy the craving.  It's a compromise for me.  Technically I'm still 'bingeing' (which isn't good) but at least it's not a pound of peanut butter M&Ms (which is what I used to do.)

 

For other times when I don't want to give in, I do something physical (that I enjoy).  I will take a brisk walk, go shopping (for clothes), get a massage or just go to bed early and not get out of bed till morning.  There are no 'bad' foods in the house so that helps avoid the temptation. Make sure it's something you enjoy though.  Cleaning the house just makes me want to 'treat myself' even more.  I try to find ways to treat myself that don't involve food.

 

I have found that most cravings subside within an hour.  So if I can keep busy and/or avoid something to binge on, I can make it long enough until I'm mentally stronger and the craving has subsided a bit.

[Linaaa]

Dear AllyB!! Thank you very much for your positive words! Your tips are great and I guess I'm going to use ALL of them!! It's great to know that I'm Not alone with this! Thank you!! And keep on your great work!

All the best

[MrsPefy13]

thank you very much for your fast reply!

I totally used to eat a sad diet!! From the first second on I loved the idea of the whole30 programm and felt great the first 15 days (maybe better than ever before). I'm definitely the type of person that needs strict rules, I just can't handle cheatings in a "healthy way". Why can't I get back on track like the first time- is this normal? there is such an psychological hold on these foods, but I want to win this battle, I just need some help to handle these situations, when there is this strong desire to let got and just eat everything. I always wanted to prove myself, that I can handle my cravings with willpower, but it just doesn't seem to work out.

I would be really thankful for every advice you have for me, to handle this really powerful desire. (Maybe adding more fat would help, but why did it work out the first two weeks without any desire to binge? I didn't change anything?!)

 

I really appreciate your desire to conquer your cravings with willpower because I have NO willpower when it comes to cravings and binging! I usually have to physically remove myself from any temptations because one "cheat" is never enough for me.

 

Maybe try to build up your self confidence by doing a Whole5, then whole10, etc?  that way you can gain that momentum and even if it's a small goal, you know it's a goal you set with purpose and successfully met.

[Midlyfechrysalis]

I read this yesterday, and didn't have anything helpful. Then, last night, I was reading It Starts With Food. Chapter 4, Your Brain On Food describes your dilemma perfectly. You are not lacking willpower; the food itself and the chemical reality it creates in your brain is the problem.

 

{{hugs}}

Stick with the template long "enough" for the chemical cycle to stop - for your brain/body to reset from the artificial and exaggerated response to food-like substances to being satiated by actual food

 

[Khhdesign]

Maybe think about it as a Whole30, but just one day at a time? All you commit to is following the guidelines for one day. At the end of that day you've succeeded! So commit to another day, success again. Keep going and you'll string together 30 days, one at a time.