Please Help Me :(

[Retta1983 0]

Oh I really need help. I crave chocolate all the time, it is worst in the morning though. Before I eat chocolate I am full of anxiety - physically my legs shake and jiggle, I feel stressed and unable to focus at work, but after I eat some start to feel better.

Of course it isn't long before I feel sick though as I have such limited capacity in the mornings. What can I do? I want to cut chocolate out but can't cope with the anxiety and shakes - what is wrong with me????

Why am I so weak and pathetic?

[Joyce Real 21]

Maybe you are craving the caffeine in the chocolate? maybe you should try some tea or coffee and see if that helps the craving, it would be better for you than the chocolate.

[Retta1983 0]

Well that is an idea - I will try that tomorrow. I used to drink a lot of tea each day but after seeing that I was shaking, etc and sleep was difficult so I switched to drinking de-caf tea instead so perhaps having one caffeinated one in the morning would make the difference? Not sure . . .

Although maybe I just need to find some way of coping with the anxiety and physical symptoms each morning and get through it without having to rely on another 'quick fix'? Just quite confused about this.

[khath0620 20]

I had to "detox" from sugar products a while back, I am DEFINITELY a sugar addict. It changes who I am and how I behave. The first few days were really rough but now I don't crave it much. The craving isn't gone but at least I can say no. I think what Joyce said is great, maybe you are just craving the caffeine. If you have any issues w/ sugar like I do, then that is a double whammy! Also, be kind to yourself. You are not weak! You are a strong, determined person who reached out for help and advice! Doesn't that say something to you?

Good luck,

Katie

[leothelion 0]

how do you detox yourself from sugar. that is my downfall.. i will skip a meal to have coffee and dessert

[xavier 153]

Get even five minutes of strenuous exercise and I promise that feeling will go away!

[michi20 2]

instead of having chocolate, you can try having soy chocolate milk. it taste really good!!

that's what i have when am craving chocolate.

[Retta1983 0]

I hadn't even thought of strenuous exercise, but that actually sounds like a very good idea. In the afternoon after work each day I walk from my work to my husband's (about 4km) and on the days I do that I feel wonderful afterwards and the evenings are great. Perhaps a walk in the morning would be good too - and that would start me off on a better footing? I will certainly try that and see how I feel if I have done that. Perhaps if I ask him to drop me off further from work and I walk part of the way or if we do a walk with our dog before leaving in the morning that will make a difference?

I think that I do have a problem with sugar as well as caffeine so it is going to be a double whammy to cut them both out but hopefully the endorphins from the exercise and having something alternative there to eat/drink will help me to get through it.

I'm so grateful for all of your help xx

[sandybraman 18]

You can get sugar-free Hershey's dark chocolate miniatures. I keep them in the refrigerator and when I HAVE to eat chocolate, I just let one of those melt in my mouth. It seems to help the craving and dark chocolate is good for you. Also, you can get sugar-free fudgesicles and Weight Watchers makes some great ice cream cups and treats that are very low in sugar and fat. And don't go cold-turkey off of caffeine - I did that and had excruciating headaches (which is a typical withdrawal symptom). Get some Decaf and mix it in with your regular coffee, then gradually increase it.

You're not weak - you're just trying to teach your old body some new tricks and it's not cooperating!

[bellaloco 13]

I have this theory that if I am going to "splurge" on something, it is going to be high quality and worth it! I never regularly keep chocolate in my house, but on days when I feel I absolutely "NEED" chocolate, I will get one piece of something really, really expensive and savor it.

If you really crave chocolate all the time, I agree with the chocolate soymilk...Earth Balance brand is euphoric! I also resently discovered this chocolate oatmeal that is really good. If you go to their website (betteroats.com), you can find them near you.

[Holly Dolly 575]

I know the feeling when it comes to chocolate! I write down all that I eat and keep track of calories. If I am having a bad craving I will eat 1, 2 or a few hershey kisses. Just all depends on how much calories I am at. I do try and keep on hand TigerMilk Protein Bars that are good. Also at Target I found a new Luna Bar that has peanuts, honey, and pretzels. Wow, do I wish I had bought more! As long as I am keeping track of what I eat and I am accountable for it, I don't have a problem with it. For me, life is too short. I am a good bandster, not a perfect one!

[Retta1983 0]

Thank you so much Holly Dolly, Sandybraman and Bellaloco - I think it is a good thing to think about not just having chocolate about and trying to deal wiht the craving by having something small, lower fat and even a more expensive chocolate so that it is actually a treat rather than just getting cheap chocolate to keep those horrible feelings at bay.

I was quite intrigued by the chocolate better oats, but had a look and it isn't available here in Australia unfortunately I will definitely keep an eye out for something similar though and in the meantime just trying to manage the cravings bit by bit and be a bit forgiving of myself.

I think you're right Hollydolly - life is too short to be miserable as long as you live in a fairly healthy way and look after yourself it will be ok. Ooh, also was wondering, what sort of a calorie limit you stick to? I am quite lost with finding an appropriate limit for myself at the moment.

[Holly Dolly 575]

I like to stay around 1000 a day and not go over 1300. There are some days I have had 1600, but for the most part between 1000-1100. Way better than the 3000 I was prob eating before!

[Grider 92]

backing off any caffeine it hell. headaches sick feeking drug down so werd but true,,, wean OFF

[Lynn42 8]

Dr Oz suggests dark chocolate with chilies . I have never heard of that but apparently it satisfies the chocolate craving and the chili curbs the appetite. You can apparently buy a bar like that but I have never seen one.