topic Help...I want Chocolate in Staying well

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:50:46 GMT

Hello everyone.....

Right at this moment the desire and craving to drive to Woolworths and buy chocolate is huge. But I don't want to give in. The reason I am writing this post is because I want victory in this area in my life. And I am hoping the strong cravings will cease, as I write here. And I want to know if anyone else struggles with this particular issue. Any advice would also be very welcomed.

I think a lot of people say chocolate is OK. But I tend to differ. For many years I have turned to it for comfort, a high or some other good feeling. But for me it is short lived. Even as I am writing this, I am visualising chocolate Easter bunnies in my head. As they are in the supermarkets now. Some people may think this is a funny situation. But for more it is not. It is a real hindrance in my life, and I want to be cut loose from the chains.

I normally eat a whole block in one go, that is a huge amount. About 200grams of the stuff.

I am beginning to believe it is like someone turning to alcohol, drugs or whatever. Using this stuff to escape, hide or feel better, or something for a short time. I use chocolate as a coping mechanism., (so I think at the time of eating it)

Consuming it every day also affects my emotional and mental health in a non beneficial way. I also become more gloomy, foggy headed, irritable, angry, my heart beats faster, lethargic, headachy and fat. It is not a good use of our money either.

Anyway does anyone else have similar issues? I haven't had it for three days now. And my body is craving it big time.

OK, thank you

Shelley xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_5218 — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:45:27 GMT

Oh Shelley, I so agree. I also crave chocolate. It is very definitely a weakness of mine. Along with IceCream. Like you I can eat a full family block on my own in one sitting. I feel guilty afterwards of course. I find I use both chocolate and icecream as 'comfort food'. So when I feel low, I over indulge. Yes I guess you could say, it is a coping mechanism.

And I also recall many times here where you have your really bad headaches, it is usually as a result of too much chocolate.

I am not good at resisting the urge I'm afraid, so I usually just give in to it...... Not much help to you am I?

Sorry Shell. But I do totally understand the cravings. ( - :

Sherie xx

Help...I want Chocolate

ci — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:00:06 GMT

Hi Shelly Anne

I totally understand what you are saying the worse my depression and ocd got the more I craved chocolate ice cream anything sweet really! 3 months ago I cut out all sugar the cravings where awful also cut out tea and coffee. But so worth it after the first week the cravings slowed down still have cravings but only maybe one a week.

Feel so much better still have my bad days but they are more manageable I was having panic attacks all the time only had few in the last 3 months.

I found that a good way to ease the cravings was to eat some fruit and natural yogurt with a hot cup of water obviously you could have tea or coffee. The yogurt helps the cravings for something creamy and the fruit helps with the sugar.

Good luck with the cravings hope that helps

Help...I want Chocolate

White_Rose — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:49:39 GMT

Dear Shelley

I have to agree, eating chocolate is nice. I was quite unwell last year and decided I needed to help myself in a more positive way. So I thought I would make sure I had a healthy diet. To a large extent this was prompted by a friend of mine who decided to lose weight. It worked for her and I asked what she ate. I also took note of what I was eating and how different foods made me feel.

Chocolate and fresh bread were my downfall. There were others but these were the main two. So I picked my friend's brains for meals ideas. Now I am not a cook. I can make edible meals but I am not a person who can throw things together and end up with delicious dishes. So I made some very simple choices about what to eat.

Instead of cereals for breakfast I make a smoothie. Trim milk, one banana, strawberries and blueberries and an egg because I decided I needed some protein as well. And to my surprise I found that one smoothie lasted all morning. Wow!

Lunch is a salad. Now I am not a salad person. I dislike eating green leaves, tomatoes, celery etc. But my friend came to the rescue and showed me I could buy ready made salads that I enjoyed. Beetroot salad which is grated beetroot and a couple of other grated vegetables. And I really like them. I tip on a small can of salmon. And again it is enough to last until the evening meal. You can have tuna (which I also dislike), cold cooked chicken , ham or whatever takes your fancy.

The evening meal is the hardest. I have to cook for my grandson and he has the usual appetite of a 19yo. So I just eat the meat and vegetables. I know I have made it sound simple but it really works. I think that while I was recovering from the medication foul-up I went off sugar but the craving has not come back. What I have found is that like any other addiction, the craving only lasts for so long. For me with chocolate or any sweet stuff the desperate stage lasts about a week and then a couple more weeks of less craving as it fades away. But be beware, one taste can put you right back to the beginning and like you Shelley, chocolate gives me headaches.

And the best part is, although I did not set out to lose weight I have in fact dropped a few kilos. So if you can get an eating routine and hold out on the chocolate front for a little while longer you will find you are winning the battle. Yes I understand about it being comfort food and I've certainly been there. What I have found is that I get my comfort from better eating. Woo-hoo!

Mary

Help...I want Chocolate

white knight — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 10:12:09 GMT

Hi Shelley

Good topic. Like you chocolate is my weakness. Like White Rose, fresh bread- I can eat a whole loaf!!

Firstly, we are at an advantage because we live 15 minutes form the nearest shop. We cant be bothered driving there and back and risk hitting animals in the bushy surrounds.

So we buy two blocks of chocolate a week, sometimes just one. On the off nights, as I've had trouble sleeping, we have no coffee after 6pm and have one large hot chocolate drink or cold. Greek yogurt is a treat the nights we don't have chocolate. Or cherries, fresh or from a jar because cherries is the best thing to eat to avoid Gout.

My wife has also got me in a habit of just buying a small chocolate bar when we buy fuel rather than a block for an evenings pigout.

Add to that gym 3 times a week for 45 minutes and that started last July. I've lost 10 kg and my wife 6 kg. Mind you I also built a caravan over a 10 week period that helped.

Tony WK

Help...I want Chocolate

Gruffudd — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 12:56:04 GMT

Shelley,

Where you have chocolate I have deep fried food.

I think the answer might be waiting it out and distracting yourself with something. Is there something you can do that feels good? I quite like a bubblebath. Sometimes I need to distract thoughts too, drawing and painting is rather good for that. On the weekend I went through my box of past things, in there I found a cross stitch a friend made me many years ago, then I went and found a frame and cut the board and made it all up, it looks rather good. Back from another 10 km walk just now, I wore the purple tshirt that is so soft and purple - that was my distraction.

Rob.

Help...I want Chocolate

Lost_Girl — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 13:25:20 GMT

I am a chocoholic too. I can't get to the shop but hubby is an enabler. When I am sad he buys me chocolate....big blocks, sometimes a shopping bag full....and just last night a big tub of easter eggs (love easter egg choc).

I thought I took the first step with my psychologist by confessing I eat choc when I am not coping.... he told me as long as it's just a little bit and it's dark choc it's good for depression. I have never been good with restraint.

Following your feed Shell as I need help with this too.

Help...I want Chocolate

blondguy — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 21:21:22 GMT

Hey Shell

Lost Girls' therapist has nailed it....nothing wrong with it but stick to the dark choc...Its the only one with the health benefits that milk chocolate doesn't have.

Avoiding even entering the confectionery aisle is hard but better than walking down it...:-)

Chocolate....Yumm

Paul

Help...I want Chocolate

White_Rose — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 08:29:50 GMT

Hey Shelley

Where are you? You haven't answered any of us. Can't keep us waiting in suspense because it might drive us to chocolate. How are you going? I hope you are holding on even though it's hard. The craving will pass. Have you tried any distraction activities?

Mary

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 09:30:20 GMT

Ha Ha Mary...... I indeed hope you were not driven to the "chocolate".

And good on you for conquering this issue in your own life! Yeah....Yeah....Yeah for you.

I am quite good today. I did hold on for a little longer in regards to not venturing to the shop. But regretfully and I am scared to tell everyone ( hence I did not answer anyone) that I did buy a chocolate easter bunny. And I scoffed the whole lot. The only positive I can see in that is I held off for much longer then most other times. Almost 4 whole days. But even though I gave in, I will pick myself up and try again....

Thankyou for all your hints about what you eat. I have heard of a similar eating lifestyle. I think it is called "paleo".I understand about eating foods rich in protein to keep hunger at bay, or something like that. I also noted you said it takes about 1 week for the cravings to diminish a lot, then it becomes easier. And then like it is for you, you don't have the cravings at all. I will keep that it mind now.

I am starting again to withdraw myself from it. Hopefully I will succeed this time. As I now have a couple of ideas from you guys to help.

Oh I don't have much of a food routine happening like you. A lot of the time I skip meals, due to a shift worker at our place. So I will definitely take you up on that suggestion Mary. I already make smoothies. I put baby spinach in mine, and you can't even taste it. As for salads...... I try to eat them. I am not to keen on the greens myself, but find them easier to eat if they have a dressing on them. I do think I need to eat more regular like though. So thanks for reminding me of that.

Anyway thanks again for taking the time to reply to me. I truly appreciate it.

Do you like hugs? I will just put one here in case you do.

Shell xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 09:56:20 GMT

Hey my friend Sherie....

I love been greeted by you and smiling Holly!

Yes I knew you would understand me. I think I recall reading another time that you crave chocolate and dairy things. But perhaps not as often as me??

Like I told Mary in the above post. I gave in Sherie, I went out later and bought a cute colourful Easter bunny.

Yes those headaches are not good. As I am writing this, the thought popped into my mind that I could write a message for myself. The message could say "warning chocolate gives you headaches". I could then put it in my purse.

Please be reassured Sherie you are a help to me. Even your familiarity brings me a sense of "not being alone in this journey of life" feeling. And also I get a sense that in most things, you seem to understand me. So that is all good......

Many hugs

Shell xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 10:56:35 GMT

Hey Paul

I have actually done that before, avoid the chocolate aisle in the supermarket. I have also tried only eating dark chocolate, but I didn't like the taste of it.

A Woof to you too

Shelleybelly xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:13:43 GMT

Oh you too Carol....you eat a lot of chocolate as well. And you also go to it when you are sad. I am exactly the same. I like it so much, but I wish that no one had invented it.

Yes I love Easter egg chocolate too. In fact that is what a regretfully bought last night. I wonder if you eating it has an impact on those headaches you get???

I am aware people say dark chocolate is better. It has antioxidants or something in it. But I don't like the taste of the dark one at all.

Thankyou for your post Carol, I feel that you understand me.

I hope you ...yourself feels better soon.

Take care now

Shell xx

Help...I want Chocolate

blondguy — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:21:20 GMT

Hey Shell 🙂

You are right...Dark Chocolate is an acquired taste...better with almonds to take away the bitterness

I think you deserved that Easter Bunny Shell (Hugs)

WOOF!!

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:28:44 GMT

Hello Robbie

Yeah I did try and distract myself, I thought of coming on here to BB and just start this thread up. I was able to wait it out a little while. But I caved in later. Maybe I will write up a list of other distractions and have it ready for next time. Having a bubble bath sounds delightful. I am glad you are able to do that. I wish we had a bathtub here at our place. But never mind...

Thanks Rob.

Shell xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 11:40:22 GMT

Oh really Paul........ you think I deserve an Easter bunny?

Maybe I should look at it in that way this time. Maybe then I won't feel like I keep failing. Because that is how I feel at the moment in regards to this.

Thanks Paul

Shelleybelly xx

Help...I want Chocolate

blondguy — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:30:07 GMT

Hey Shell

I meant every syllable...you do deserve it...you are a gem (hugs)

Paul

Help...I want Chocolate

Gruffudd — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:22:55 GMT

Oh Shell,

I worry that you might be hard on yourself. Part of controlling urges around food for me is to sometimes give in, not every time just sometimes. I think if you do have the chocolate it is worth making sure there is quality and not the rubbish stuff, I say that because you are a quality person and I don't want to see you have anything but the best.

Are you an emotional eater like me? When I reflect on my food habits what I eat is dependant on my mood and how much is often connected with a difficult emotion or thought that I just don't want to deal with. When I wrote that it seemed a ridiculous thing to do to eat to avoid a feeling or thought, but I do. I have also noticed that thinking through the stuff I am avoiding improves my diet somewhat.

Have you heard of the marshmallow test? I was involved in one as a child and failed, I think I would today too 🙂

Rob.

Help...I want Chocolate

Lost_Girl — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 15:03:08 GMT

Hi Gruffud,

I am not sure what you mean by the marshmallow test but many years ago I played a game called chubby bunny where you have to put a marshmallow in your mouth and say chubby bunny then repeat but you can't chew or swallow them. It's competetive and each person takes turns until the person with the most wins. I won....but have not eaten marshmallow since! 🙂

I wish chocolate were as easy.

Shell,

I wish it did contribute then I would have more incentive to stop but I have always been able to consume large amount with no trouble. Unfortunately my metabolism doesn't cope now as it did when I was younger.

I laughed when they made resealable packets for choc blocks.... I have friends who can eat a couple of squares but I am unable..better to avoid it completely.

I think I will look into high protein, paleo style food to keep me feeling fuller. I am finding crocheting is stopping me snacking so much as my hands are busy.

I like dark chocolate with rum and raisin, almond is nice too. Old Gold is less bitter than a lot of them. I do eat less with dark choc because it is much richer.

Paul, I tell myself I deserve it because I feel so awful and why not feel better. However it's a false economy because after a while I just feel like I have let myself down again and I don't want to be gaining more unhealthy weight especially when I am unable to exercise enough to balance it.

Maybe I need a different treat to replace it - something that will make me feel good without the calories. What do you think Shell? Can you think of anything? (My brain just said wine but that was very unhelpful brain as we can't drink on meds)

Hugs, Carol xx

Help...I want Chocolate

Guest_1055 — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:59:41 GMT

Morning Robbie

Reading your last post, bought happy tears to my eyes. For I do feel understood by you. I have been beating myself up about failing again. Although I am trying hard to think upon what Paul ( blondguy) said about deserving this treat this time. And the bit where you mentioned about being a quality person and deserving the best. Well I have said something extremely similar to my son quite a few times. And it is like my very own words are being spoken back at me by you.

I am sometimes lead to eat by my emotions .The time that I ate the Easter bunny I was feeling rejected or unloved by other members of my family. So a sadness came over me. So maybe that is like what you say, I am trying to avoid this particular feeling...... the sadness.

Are you joking about the marshmallow test? Was there such a test? I know you have a bit of humour in you. Anyway I haven't heard of it......

Take care now Rob and thankyou

Shell xx