Post: #76

I tripped up about a week ago, people kept offering me snacks that I couldn't turn down in polite company. Really wanted to avoid that.

Been on it since then, no sugar whatsoever.

Post: #77

Ok, I was a little bitch yesterday.

I went to the movie theater to see Deadpool 2 and they didn't have any healthy snacks, so I bought 3 packs of those Sahale Snacks (they're like sugary pistachios or pecans, if you don't have them in your country).

That's the first time I had anything with added sugar in it since I started this thread in March 30.

So I went 50 days without any added sugar. Haven't lost any weight because I ended up making up for the calories with healthy food, but I do feel much more clear-headed and my moods were much more level over the past 50 days.

Also, I still don't crave sugar like before...except for earlier today, I almost cracked and bought some Mexican sweet bread, but I didn't...and right now, I really want some ice cream.

Could be my cravings will come back due to that trip to the movie theater, but we'll see, so far I haven't cracked again, I'm hoping it's a one-off.

Post: #78

For the last 2 weeks I've been on a no gluten, no sweets/processed foods, no alcohol diet. So far I don't feel any positive changes yet. The only things I've noticed so far:
-Energy levels seem to be a bit lower than before starting the diet
-I have more acne and also in places where I normally don't get it (neck, back, torso)
-My dreams at night seem to be a lot more "lively" and I can almost always remember them when I wake up, which wasn't the case before. Last night I had a panic dream in which I was accidentally eating bread

My goal is to do this for another 4 weeks. If no positive results, then a wheat free diet for 6 weeks. If that doesn't work, then paleo diet for 6 weeks. I'm hoping changing my diet will help me with some chronic skin/bladder/prostate issues I've been having.

Post: #79

^ I'm by no mean a Vegan, but a Vegan Diet seriously helps with the skin, and even me Mr. Chicken can't deny it. If I had skin issues, I would no doubt do a few Vegan cycles to clear it out. If meat cutting is a No No for you, at least consider cutting out Dairy for a bit. I suggest you try it out, especially the Dairy part

Post: #80

(05-21-2018 02:44 AM)Captain Gh Wrote:  ^ I'm by no mean a Vegan, but a Vegan Diet seriously helps with the skin, and even me Mr. Chicken can't deny it. If I had skin issues, I would no doubt do a few Vegan cycles to clear it out. If meat cutting is a No No for you, at least consider cutting out Dairy for a bit. I suggest you try it out, especially the Dairy part

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, I forgot to add, I have cut out dairy as well. Basically just eating chicken, fish, nuts, rice, beans and eggs. Plus my own homemade fruit/vegetable juices

Post: #81

I should add my name to the list.

I also have a massive sweet tooth, due to blood pressure bordering on high I have decided to cut it out.

So far it seems I have been eating more food now, didn't know sugar was an appetite suppressant.

A lot of the food is garbage, would love to know what you guys eat. I am not down with meats, trying to keep it meatless.

Post: #82

This won't be easy Rudebwoy, but if you incorporate some high quality fats such as Raw Almonds or Brazilian Nuts, along with organic Quinoa & vegetables, you won't blow up & eat to much while your body's adjusting to this diet change. However these items are expensive as fuck!

A less expensive alternative would be to buy conventional grains such as Brown or Red Rice, Wheat (of it doesn't blow you up) and incorporate some form of Intermittent or Dry Fasting.

Hopefully you're ok with Eggs because Egg White will become your Best Friends while you're adjusting. 72 Grams total of tasteless protein for barely $3 will help you get full but not feel bloated.

Post: #83

I don't have issues with sugar consumption, but I thought I'd add a few tips that are useful to help avoid sugar or the cravings that come with it:

1) Many people are used to drinking sugar (and dairy) with their coffee. Try coconut milk instead. There's a sweetness without excess sugar, as well as a healthier fat than milk/cream.

2) If you're craving sugar, perhaps try eating fruits, vegetables or tubers that have a higher natural sugar content. For example, mixed berries, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc. can help provide a bit of additional taste without huge spikes in insulin.

3) Dark chocolate can be combined with a variety of recipes to give you the sensation of eating desserts, with a much lower amount of sugar. For those who haven't been succesful with this approach, if you use healthy fats and/or protein in the recipes, it will be a lot more satiating and you will be less likely to binge.

Also keep in mind your sugar cravings will go down the more you adhere to a Paleo or Keto diet. Try writing out your favourite foods/snacks that avoid lots of sugar, so you have an easy reference list when cravings hit. No one ever asks for extra sugar on a great steak.

Post: #84

(05-25-2018 08:44 PM)Captain Gh Wrote:  This won't be easy Rudebwoy, but if you incorporate some high quality fats such as Raw Almonds or Brazilian Nuts, along with organic Quinoa & vegetables, you won't blow up & eat to much while your body's adjusting to this diet change. However these items are expensive as fuck!

A less expensive alternative would be to buy conventional grains such as Brown or Red Rice, Wheat (of it doesn't blow you up) and incorporate some form of Intermittent or Dry Fasting.

Hopefully you're ok with Eggs because Egg White will become your Best Friends while you're adjusting. 72 Grams total of tasteless protein for barely $3 will help you get full but not feel bloated.

I don't really like raw almonds or Brazilian nuts, the oil on them doesn't agree with me.

Dairy is something I don't mess about with either, haven't had eggs in along time. I use to cook a lot of egg whites back in the day, perhaps I might get back into it as a breakfast choice.

The protein thing is something I don't really follow or believe in.

Seems like low carb is the way to go, how the hell do you control that hunger?

Fasting is something I am all about, on weekends I do 20 hour fasts and I want to build up to longer durations.

Post: #85

One day, about 7 years ago, I was looking in the mirror and hated what I saw. I was 250 lbs. at 5'11' around 33 years old. I was a lean 175/180 in high school. I decided I was going to change. I read almost 20 books and researched everything I could find online on the subject. There wasn't nearly as much information available back then as there is now. I lost 75 lbs. and kept it off. Weighed 187 this morning. I have been under 20 grams of net carbs a day for the last 6/7 years, 95% of the time. The only time I break the 20 carb day rule is usually with alcohol. I have no craving for sweets anymore, took about 2 years to get to without any urges.

I have been asked to help countless friends, family members and customers in the past. None have taken my advice to heart. If anyone asks me about losing fat now, I simply tell them to buy and read two books: Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes and The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf. I’d like to help everyone but if you’re not willing to invest your time, I am not either.

Why We Get Fat, Gary Taubes

The Paleo Solution, Robb Wolf

I can honestly say that I feel that sugar/carbs are worse for the body than alcohol and nicotine combined, though the latter are very bad for you as well. I completed a 1 year 8 month wagon inspired by the LOZ thread, and also quit smoking recently. For me, quitting sugar/carbs was by for more beneficial to my overall health, confidence and life.

Some quick tips/suggestions from my experience:

Being prone to insulin resistance is the primary reason I was fat, keep in mind not everyone is prone to insulin resistance, some guys can eat anything they want to and not gain fat.

To lose fat weight you have to cut out carbs almost completely. No more than 20 grams of net carbs a day. No cheat days. I takes too long to get your body in ketosis, one cheat day a week is only acceptable for maintaining weight.

Net Carbs Calculation

You have to be in ketosis to burn fat for fuel. The best way for me to achieve ketosis is to fast, 24 - 36 hours.

Exogenous ketones a waste of time. Only nutritional ketosis works for fat loss.

Avoid Exogenoud Ketones

Give it time. Once you achieve regular ketosis, as your body will go in and out over time, you will only lose about 1.5 to 2 lbs. of fat per week.

Only drink water when in weight loss mode. There are some alcoholic drinks you can have but it is best to avoid. Avoid ALL sugar free drinks, candy and even chewing gum. The artificial sweeteners in these may in fact raise your blood sugar, as with real sugar, and induce insulin resistance.

I firmly believe in NO WORKING OUT while trying to shed fat weight. You will be changing your diet significantly. Burning extra calories in anyway requires you to replace them. Changing your diet is hard enough, you will only make this harder by increasing the amount of calories you need to consume daily.

Your diet has 100% to do with fat loss/gain. Working out has wonderful benefits and I love to work out, but will not help with fat loss.

Eat lots of fat. No milk, milk is loaded with sugar.

Eat as much as you wish, don’t count calories, as long as you stay under 20 grams of net carbs a day.

Remember, the more you weigh the higher your daily caloric intake needed. Be patient, as the fat comes off the less calories you need to consume every day.

I weigh myself every day, first thing in the morning right after I get up and piss. This is a solid habit to have during fat loss and when maintaining your weight. How your clothes fit will be a better measure of your progress. I went from size 36 to 30 waist and had to basically replace my whole wardrobe.

You will notice other benefits of cutting out sugar/carbs as well over time. I used to have terrible acid reflux, since I haven't had a touch of heart burn in over 6 years. I haven't had the flu in 6 years, no flu shots. I only get a touch of the cold once a year, even then I take a 10 to 15 gram dose of vitamin C and symptoms are gone within an hour or two. (See Zel’s post on vitamin C) When I first lost my fat weight I had tons of energy, this has leveled out some or maybe I am just used to it. There are others but I need to wrap this up.

I hope every here who attempts to cut out sugar/carbs can achieve the results I did. It was definitely one of the best decisions of my life. Feel free to PM or ask any questions here.

Post: #86

Love this thread, specially when it comes to processed sugars. I wouldn't worry too much about moderate fruit intake, the fiber in the fruit partially counter acts the sugar (also why I don't really like juicing, you lose the good fiber).

(05-26-2018 09:50 AM)rudebwoy Wrote:  Seems like low carb is the way to go, how the hell do you control that hunger?

Honestly proteins, water and fiber (I use Psyllium husk) are they best way to control hunger IMO. I keep several soft boiled eggs & cooked chicken in my fridge at all times to satisfy any hunger cravings. I eat white & dark meat including the crispy skin. I don't worry about fat consumption very often. For fiber I go with 1 tbsp twice a day or 2 tbsp once a day in a smoothie. I have lost 20 lbs since January, and I don't do they gym or working out for the sake of exercise. I do work hard physically to accomplish tasks and in my late 40's I am in the best shape of my life.

I do eat some carbs like rice and corn tortillas, but no sugar, desserts or pop. I do still get some sugar from wine, but I won't be giving that up soon.

Post: #87

(04-01-2018 01:48 PM)Georges89 Wrote:  

(03-31-2018 08:42 PM)Winston Wolfe Wrote:  I have been quite the substance abuser for most of my adult life.

A few years ago, I was drinking massive amounts of alcohol, red bull and coffee and smoking massive amounts of cigarettes and weed. All at the same time.

Gradually, I have been taking care of every single one of them.

A few years ago I quit smoking weed.

About two years ago, I finally got rid of the damn red bulls (that shit truly is the devil and should be the very first thing you get rid of, including other pops like coke).

Then, what I thought would be the hardest one was actually the easiest: I quit smoking cigarettes after 12 years of massive consumption.

But what I didn't realize was that after quitting each of those, consumption of the others just went up and up. As if my brain was saying "at least give me SOMETHING dude!"

So after cutting out weed, sugar and nicotine, my alcohol consumption gradually got out of hand, as did my coffee consumption. Alcohol every night and at least 6 cups of coffee a day.

I've been a lurker on this forum for a very long time, and the reason I finally registered was to take care of the most problematic one of them all: I wanted to face my alcohol problems and participate in the drinking wagon thread.

So far, I have managed to not drink alcohol for almost 3 months. But guess what happened in the meantime? The only thing I still had left, caffeine, wasn't enough anymore. I started eating sugar again!

No red bulls, I simply refuse the stuff now, but I do find myself eating ice cream, chocolate and all kinds of that nasty processed stuff way too often.

I don't want to derail this thread to a personal journal and maybe this even warrants its own thread, but my body just seems to always need SOMETHING. It drives me insane.

It's almost as if someone else controls my body when I do it. I am aware of the fact that I am walking into a store to grab chocolate and other sweets. I am also aware of the fact that I shouldn't do it. But it doesn't stop me.

Then when I'm back home eating it, part of me feels completely disgusted while doing it and another part of me feels in heaven.

I am already half way dealing with my caffeine problem, but I am also in on this one. Time to get serious, no more sugars.

WW, wow, you hit the nail on the head. I have this exact same issue. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago, I quit drugs, over a year ago. I quit booze for the last six months. I've even cut out coffee (apart from occasional decaff - it turns out my body is ultra sensitive to coffee for some reason.) I guess we should both give ourselves a pat on the back.

But certainly for people such as us, who have so-called 'addictive-personalities' for want of a better phrase, that need for a dopamine release transpires elsehwhere.

So diet has become the next area where my addiction has 'sprouted'.

I feel I'm at the final leg of getting my well-being and health really together. Its a long fucking journey. After quitting the chemicals (minus tea) I thought everything was going to be much easier. But I realised diet has a much bigger effect than I could have ever realised. The chemicals/alcohol can make you feel really shit..But the food is the difference between feeling so so everyday, and thriving.

I have maintained a very low carb / high fat / no artificial sweeteners / highly reduced (usually zero) processed food diet for several years now, and as a result "lost" 25% of my weight (started at BMI = 28 and now 21), diabetes type 2, and frequent headaches. On top of that, my energy level is higher than it was and much more stable. But I have always consumed a lot of caffeine and I have zero intention of reducing that. What problems does caffeine consumption cause you?

Post: #88

(05-26-2018 09:50 AM)rudebwoy Wrote:  

(05-25-2018 08:44 PM)Captain Gh Wrote:  This won't be easy Rudebwoy, but if you incorporate some high quality fats such as Raw Almonds or Brazilian Nuts, along with organic Quinoa & vegetables, you won't blow up & eat to much while your body's adjusting to this diet change. However these items are expensive as fuck!

A less expensive alternative would be to buy conventional grains such as Brown or Red Rice, Wheat (of it doesn't blow you up) and incorporate some form of Intermittent or Dry Fasting.

Hopefully you're ok with Eggs because Egg White will become your Best Friends while you're adjusting. 72 Grams total of tasteless protein for barely $3 will help you get full but not feel bloated.

I don't really like raw almonds or Brazilian nuts, the oil on them doesn't agree with me.

Dairy is something I don't mess about with either, haven't had eggs in along time. I use to cook a lot of egg whites back in the day, perhaps I might get back into it as a breakfast choice.

The protein thing is something I don't really follow or believe in.

Seems like low carb is the way to go, how the hell do you control that hunger?

Fasting is something I am all about, on weekends I do 20 hour fasts and I want to build up to longer durations.

Well if you want to go Low Carb, then automatically you have to go High Fat. It's one or the other for everyone unless you're a genetic freak! Raw almonds is pretty much the least "oily" fat you'll find along with Brazilian Nuts & Avocado! I personally recommend High Carb Low Fat to be in fantastic shape & energetic, but absolutely understand the value of ketosis in losing weight effortlessly. If you end up low carb, you'll have to incorporate some sort of fats, and they all have oil.

Post: #89

(05-26-2018 11:12 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  

(04-01-2018 01:48 PM)Georges89 Wrote:  

(03-31-2018 08:42 PM)Winston Wolfe Wrote:  I have been quite the substance abuser for most of my adult life.

A few years ago, I was drinking massive amounts of alcohol, red bull and coffee and smoking massive amounts of cigarettes and weed. All at the same time.

Gradually, I have been taking care of every single one of them.

A few years ago I quit smoking weed.

About two years ago, I finally got rid of the damn red bulls (that shit truly is the devil and should be the very first thing you get rid of, including other pops like coke).

Then, what I thought would be the hardest one was actually the easiest: I quit smoking cigarettes after 12 years of massive consumption.

But what I didn't realize was that after quitting each of those, consumption of the others just went up and up. As if my brain was saying "at least give me SOMETHING dude!"

So after cutting out weed, sugar and nicotine, my alcohol consumption gradually got out of hand, as did my coffee consumption. Alcohol every night and at least 6 cups of coffee a day.

I've been a lurker on this forum for a very long time, and the reason I finally registered was to take care of the most problematic one of them all: I wanted to face my alcohol problems and participate in the drinking wagon thread.

So far, I have managed to not drink alcohol for almost 3 months. But guess what happened in the meantime? The only thing I still had left, caffeine, wasn't enough anymore. I started eating sugar again!

No red bulls, I simply refuse the stuff now, but I do find myself eating ice cream, chocolate and all kinds of that nasty processed stuff way too often.

I don't want to derail this thread to a personal journal and maybe this even warrants its own thread, but my body just seems to always need SOMETHING. It drives me insane.

It's almost as if someone else controls my body when I do it. I am aware of the fact that I am walking into a store to grab chocolate and other sweets. I am also aware of the fact that I shouldn't do it. But it doesn't stop me.

Then when I'm back home eating it, part of me feels completely disgusted while doing it and another part of me feels in heaven.

I am already half way dealing with my caffeine problem, but I am also in on this one. Time to get serious, no more sugars.

WW, wow, you hit the nail on the head. I have this exact same issue. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago, I quit drugs, over a year ago. I quit booze for the last six months. I've even cut out coffee (apart from occasional decaff - it turns out my body is ultra sensitive to coffee for some reason.) I guess we should both give ourselves a pat on the back.

But certainly for people such as us, who have so-called 'addictive-personalities' for want of a better phrase, that need for a dopamine release transpires elsehwhere.

So diet has become the next area where my addiction has 'sprouted'.

I feel I'm at the final leg of getting my well-being and health really together. Its a long fucking journey. After quitting the chemicals (minus tea) I thought everything was going to be much easier. But I realised diet has a much bigger effect than I could have ever realised. The chemicals/alcohol can make you feel really shit..But the food is the difference between feeling so so everyday, and thriving.

I have maintained a very low carb / high fat / no artificial sweeteners / highly reduced (usually zero) processed food diet for several years now, and as a result "lost" 25% of my weight (started at BMI = 28 and now 21), diabetes type 2, and frequent headaches. On top of that, my energy level is higher than it was and much more stable. But I have always consumed a lot of caffeine and I have zero intention of reducing that. What problems does caffeine consumption cause you?

I completely quit all caffeine around two years ago, made. A massive difference to my life. Natural energy and rythme restored,I jump out of the bed in the or I gotta ready to go, no need for the coffee crutch to get me going.

I also use to get terrible headaches hat entail the way down the back of my neck, I thought that was alcohol but turns out it was Caffine related. It’s like your whole nervous system is constantly on edge if you have too much caffeine in your system, you are exhausting your fight or flight mechanism.

Caffeine only takes 24-48 hours to leave your system, try no caffeine for week and see how you get on

Post: #90

During my keto diet, I noticed that I was peeing less than my usual. I read somewhere that kidney holds water for the carbs so I believe, by cutting net carb to less than 20 grams, kidneys do not have to work hard, and hence, less peeing. After keto diet, I maintain eating low carbs -and I still pee less --unless I drink lots of coffee.

(05-21-2018 12:18 AM)zanetti Wrote:  For the last 2 weeks I've been on a no gluten, no sweets/processed foods, no alcohol diet. .... I'm hoping changing my diet will help me with some chronic skin/bladder/prostate issues I've been having.

Post: #91

I respectfully disagree with the quoted part.

I was able to gain muscles and lose fat by working out and eating clean some years ago. To be clear, I was not on keto diet at the time.

(05-26-2018 12:36 PM)Piecoon Wrote:  
I firmly believe in NO WORKING OUT while trying to shed fat weight. You will be changing your diet significantly. Burning extra calories in anyway requires you to replace them. Changing your diet is hard enough, you will only make this harder by increasing the amount of calories you need to consume daily.

Your diet has 100% to do with fat loss/gain. Working out has wonderful benefits and I love to work out, but will not help with fat loss.

Post: #92

(05-27-2018 06:45 AM)Ski pro Wrote:  

(05-26-2018 11:12 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  

(04-01-2018 01:48 PM)Georges89 Wrote:  

(03-31-2018 08:42 PM)Winston Wolfe Wrote:  I have been quite the substance abuser for most of my adult life.

A few years ago, I was drinking massive amounts of alcohol, red bull and coffee and smoking massive amounts of cigarettes and weed. All at the same time.

Gradually, I have been taking care of every single one of them.

A few years ago I quit smoking weed.

About two years ago, I finally got rid of the damn red bulls (that shit truly is the devil and should be the very first thing you get rid of, including other pops like coke).

Then, what I thought would be the hardest one was actually the easiest: I quit smoking cigarettes after 12 years of massive consumption.

But what I didn't realize was that after quitting each of those, consumption of the others just went up and up. As if my brain was saying "at least give me SOMETHING dude!"

So after cutting out weed, sugar and nicotine, my alcohol consumption gradually got out of hand, as did my coffee consumption. Alcohol every night and at least 6 cups of coffee a day.

I've been a lurker on this forum for a very long time, and the reason I finally registered was to take care of the most problematic one of them all: I wanted to face my alcohol problems and participate in the drinking wagon thread.

So far, I have managed to not drink alcohol for almost 3 months. But guess what happened in the meantime? The only thing I still had left, caffeine, wasn't enough anymore. I started eating sugar again!

No red bulls, I simply refuse the stuff now, but I do find myself eating ice cream, chocolate and all kinds of that nasty processed stuff way too often.

I don't want to derail this thread to a personal journal and maybe this even warrants its own thread, but my body just seems to always need SOMETHING. It drives me insane.

It's almost as if someone else controls my body when I do it. I am aware of the fact that I am walking into a store to grab chocolate and other sweets. I am also aware of the fact that I shouldn't do it. But it doesn't stop me.

Then when I'm back home eating it, part of me feels completely disgusted while doing it and another part of me feels in heaven.

I am already half way dealing with my caffeine problem, but I am also in on this one. Time to get serious, no more sugars.

WW, wow, you hit the nail on the head. I have this exact same issue. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago, I quit drugs, over a year ago. I quit booze for the last six months. I've even cut out coffee (apart from occasional decaff - it turns out my body is ultra sensitive to coffee for some reason.) I guess we should both give ourselves a pat on the back.

But certainly for people such as us, who have so-called 'addictive-personalities' for want of a better phrase, that need for a dopamine release transpires elsehwhere.

So diet has become the next area where my addiction has 'sprouted'.

I feel I'm at the final leg of getting my well-being and health really together. Its a long fucking journey. After quitting the chemicals (minus tea) I thought everything was going to be much easier. But I realised diet has a much bigger effect than I could have ever realised. The chemicals/alcohol can make you feel really shit..But the food is the difference between feeling so so everyday, and thriving.

I have maintained a very low carb / high fat / no artificial sweeteners / highly reduced (usually zero) processed food diet for several years now, and as a result "lost" 25% of my weight (started at BMI = 28 and now 21), diabetes type 2, and frequent headaches. On top of that, my energy level is higher than it was and much more stable. But I have always consumed a lot of caffeine and I have zero intention of reducing that. What problems does caffeine consumption cause you?

I completely quit all caffeine around two years ago, made. A massive difference to my life. Natural energy and rythme restored,I jump out of the bed in the or I gotta ready to go, no need for the coffee crutch to get me going.

I also use to get terrible headaches hat entail the way down the back of my neck, I thought that was alcohol but turns out it was Caffine related. It’s like your whole nervous system is constantly on edge if you have too much caffeine in your system, you are exhausting your fight or flight mechanism.

Caffeine only takes 24-48 hours to leave your system, try no caffeine for week and see how you get on

I think this is a case demonstrating the YMWV principle. I have skipped coffee for longer than two days in the past--I am not physiologically addicted to it, I just like it. But more relevant and important here, ever since switching to low carb / high fat, my energy levels have been stable all day (before and after my morning coffee) and I have no headaches.

Post: #93

All right guys, my last post was on the 20th, and I went off the wagon in the days since then.

Back on track today and I'm thinking I will be eating at home/cooking for myself for a while, to help me get back to a good spot.

Going paleo, which I've done before to great results, got plenty of salmon, bacon, and filet mignon in the fridge waiting for me, so I'm pretty stoked.

Today was a good day, too, ate really healthy.

Regarding coffee, my mom is addicted to it, and in the past I'd sometimes join her, but what happens if I drink it is I talk like The Flash, piss like it's The Flood, can't sleep all night, and then I wake up with every muscle, but especially the large muscles, feeling very strained. Then I get a headache if I don't keep drinking coffee the next day and every day after.

For those of you reading that are addicted to it and want to quit (I'm not saying anyone is), I suggest getting enough sleep. It sounds like a crazy concept, but when you get enough sleep, you won't need coffee in the day to keep going or alcohol at night to come down.

Some of my colleagues live that life and you can just see it in their faces how they're aging prematurely. It affects different people differently though, but if you look in the mirror and you look haggard, try prioritizing sleep, you may prefer that over your current priorities.

Post: #94

Delete.

Sorry wrong thread

Post: #95

(05-27-2018 09:09 PM)fenetre Wrote:  Just broke a four-week streak. Back to the start. Fuck this feeling.

Hey man, nice work staying accountable. That's half the battle.

Post: #96

@Spaniard88: You forgot to say "I'm a little bitch, I ate junk food today." In your original post you promised to do that if you fall off the wagon. Why do I remember? Because it was the only reason I didn't like that first post. In other words, if I were you I might have forgotten that part too. Otherwise, a great post and therefore a great thread, thank you for it.

More seriously, regarding caffeine, I can only say again: YMWV. Does it make you haggard and age prematurely? I don't know but I never tried to combine my caffeine habit with any degree of alcoholism; that is, I never consume more than a standard drink and even that much far from every day. Some weeks I go without any alcohol at all. But I do stop the coffee intake a couple hours before my bedtime. My wife--we are abusing caffeine together, happily--doesn't hesitate to drink coffee late at night and sleeps like a stone. Yet another indication that YMWV.

Post: #97

To my surprise I jumped on the scales last week and I’m way below what I thought I was.

Been eating pretty clean and I’m 80% of the time making good choices, I think I put on less weight this ski season by eating at home more often.

Post: #98

(05-27-2018 07:39 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  

(05-27-2018 06:45 AM)Ski pro Wrote:  

(05-26-2018 11:12 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  

(04-01-2018 01:48 PM)Georges89 Wrote:  

(03-31-2018 08:42 PM)Winston Wolfe Wrote:  I have been quite the substance abuser for most of my adult life.

A few years ago, I was drinking massive amounts of alcohol, red bull and coffee and smoking massive amounts of cigarettes and weed. All at the same time.

Gradually, I have been taking care of every single one of them.

A few years ago I quit smoking weed.

About two years ago, I finally got rid of the damn red bulls (that shit truly is the devil and should be the very first thing you get rid of, including other pops like coke).

Then, what I thought would be the hardest one was actually the easiest: I quit smoking cigarettes after 12 years of massive consumption.

But what I didn't realize was that after quitting each of those, consumption of the others just went up and up. As if my brain was saying "at least give me SOMETHING dude!"

So after cutting out weed, sugar and nicotine, my alcohol consumption gradually got out of hand, as did my coffee consumption. Alcohol every night and at least 6 cups of coffee a day.

I've been a lurker on this forum for a very long time, and the reason I finally registered was to take care of the most problematic one of them all: I wanted to face my alcohol problems and participate in the drinking wagon thread.

So far, I have managed to not drink alcohol for almost 3 months. But guess what happened in the meantime? The only thing I still had left, caffeine, wasn't enough anymore. I started eating sugar again!

No red bulls, I simply refuse the stuff now, but I do find myself eating ice cream, chocolate and all kinds of that nasty processed stuff way too often.

I don't want to derail this thread to a personal journal and maybe this even warrants its own thread, but my body just seems to always need SOMETHING. It drives me insane.

It's almost as if someone else controls my body when I do it. I am aware of the fact that I am walking into a store to grab chocolate and other sweets. I am also aware of the fact that I shouldn't do it. But it doesn't stop me.

Then when I'm back home eating it, part of me feels completely disgusted while doing it and another part of me feels in heaven.

I am already half way dealing with my caffeine problem, but I am also in on this one. Time to get serious, no more sugars.

WW, wow, you hit the nail on the head. I have this exact same issue. I quit smoking 2.5 years ago, I quit drugs, over a year ago. I quit booze for the last six months. I've even cut out coffee (apart from occasional decaff - it turns out my body is ultra sensitive to coffee for some reason.) I guess we should both give ourselves a pat on the back.

But certainly for people such as us, who have so-called 'addictive-personalities' for want of a better phrase, that need for a dopamine release transpires elsehwhere.

So diet has become the next area where my addiction has 'sprouted'.

I feel I'm at the final leg of getting my well-being and health really together. Its a long fucking journey. After quitting the chemicals (minus tea) I thought everything was going to be much easier. But I realised diet has a much bigger effect than I could have ever realised. The chemicals/alcohol can make you feel really shit..But the food is the difference between feeling so so everyday, and thriving.

I have maintained a very low carb / high fat / no artificial sweeteners / highly reduced (usually zero) processed food diet for several years now, and as a result "lost" 25% of my weight (started at BMI = 28 and now 21), diabetes type 2, and frequent headaches. On top of that, my energy level is higher than it was and much more stable. But I have always consumed a lot of caffeine and I have zero intention of reducing that. What problems does caffeine consumption cause you?

I completely quit all caffeine around two years ago, made. A massive difference to my life. Natural energy and rythme restored,I jump out of the bed in the or I gotta ready to go, no need for the coffee crutch to get me going.

I also use to get terrible headaches hat entail the way down the back of my neck, I thought that was alcohol but turns out it was Caffine related. It’s like your whole nervous system is constantly on edge if you have too much caffeine in your system, you are exhausting your fight or flight mechanism.

Caffeine only takes 24-48 hours to leave your system, try no caffeine for week and see how you get on

I think this is a case demonstrating the YMWV principle. I have skipped coffee for longer than two days in the past--I am not physiologically addicted to it, I just like it. But more relevant and important here, ever since switching to low carb / high fat, my energy levels have been stable all day (before and after my morning coffee) and I have no headaches.

As long as you aren’t overdosing on the caffine it’s ok. Mark sisson talks a lot about a morning coffe being part of his morning ritual.

Post: #99

(05-27-2018 09:22 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  @Spaniard88: You forgot to say "I'm a little bitch, I ate junk food today." In your original post you promised to do that if you fall off the wagon. Why do I remember? Because it was the only reason I didn't like that first post. In other words, if I were you I might have forgotten that part too. Otherwise, a great post and therefore a great thread, thank you for it.

More seriously, regarding caffeine, I can only say again: YMWV. Does it make you haggard and age prematurely? I don't know but I never tried to combine my caffeine habit with any degree of alcoholism; that is, I never consume more than a standard drink and even that much far from every day. Some weeks I go without any alcohol at all. But I do stop the coffee intake a couple hours before my bedtime. My wife--we are abusing caffeine together, happily--doesn't hesitate to drink coffee late at night and sleeps like a stone. Yet another indication that YMWV.

I did say that, man.

Look, scroll up, I didn't forget.

Also, I'll add I'm the only one so far on the thread that has done it.

But since I went off the wagon (this was some serious off-the-wagon shit), I wasn't going to clog up the forum every day after with all the ice cream I was eating...6 or 7 days straight of falling off the wagon.

I'm back on it, though, as of yesterday.

Also, I specifically said "I'm not saying anyone is addicted," so I wasn't (and I'm still not), saying you're addicted. It's all good, I only made the comment to help other people, not to poke at you.

All good, glad you're enjoying the thread, hope it helps folks.

Post: #100

(05-28-2018 07:40 PM)Spaniard88 Wrote:  

(05-27-2018 09:22 PM)Gray Beard Wrote:  @Spaniard88: You forgot to say "I'm a little bitch, I ate junk food today." In your original post you promised to do that if you fall off the wagon. Why do I remember? Because it was the only reason I didn't like that first post. In other words, if I were you I might have forgotten that part too. Otherwise, a great post and therefore a great thread, thank you for it.

More seriously, regarding caffeine, I can only say again: YMWV. Does it make you haggard and age prematurely? I don't know but I never tried to combine my caffeine habit with any degree of alcoholism; that is, I never consume more than a standard drink and even that much far from every day. Some weeks I go without any alcohol at all. But I do stop the coffee intake a couple hours before my bedtime. My wife--we are abusing caffeine together, happily--doesn't hesitate to drink coffee late at night and sleeps like a stone. Yet another indication that YMWV.

I did say that, man.

Look, scroll up, I didn't forget.

Also, I'll add I'm the only one so far on the thread that has done it.

But since I went off the wagon (this was some serious off-the-wagon shit), I wasn't going to clog up the forum every day after with all the ice cream I was eating...6 or 7 days straight of falling off the wagon.

I'm back on it, though, as of yesterday.

Also, I specifically said "I'm not saying anyone is addicted," so I wasn't (and I'm still not), saying you're addicted. It's all good, I only made the comment to help other people, not to poke at you.

All good, glad you're enjoying the thread, hope it helps folks.

Sorry if I missed it. I actually did a search but possibly there is a small change that thwarted it. Anyway, all good indeed.