Conference rocks::weight_control

    Lorraine --
    
    I am happy to report that I have been "sugar-free" since midnite Sunday
    nite.  Something inside just told me to DO IT and quit eating the
    sugar.  I'm the one at work who keeps Hershey kisses in my desk drawer
    and the jar of hard candies on top of the file cabinet.  
    
    And you know what?  I must want to remain sugar-free badly enough,
    because I have not relented this week at all as far as sugar goes.  I
    had a very bad sugar-withdrawal headache on Tuesday; a couple of
    saltines relieved it for me.  I can open my desk drawer now and NOT
    want or care about the chocolate.  The odor is actually repulsive at
    times.
    
    I decided to limit my carbohydrate intake to approximately 30 grams a
    day and calories to 1000.  Looking back at what I have been eating, I
    calculated an average of well over 100 grams/3000 calories a day in the
    past.  So far I have not felt "starving," or overwhelmed by my lack of
    sugar.  I would, however, love to have some fruit -- but not badly
    enough to go over my grams just yet.
    
    I would highly recommend breaking yourself of the sugar craving.  It
    can be done!
    
    I have also bought a book -- THE COMPLETE BOOK OF FOOD COUNTS -- by
    Corinne T. Netzer.  It's got over 8000 listings by calorie, carbo gram,
    fat, sodium, cholesterol, protein and fiber counts.  $4.95 and worth
    every cent!
    
    Good luck!
    
    Catherine
    
    

    I am sure you read several notes from those of us who belong to
    overeaters annoymous.  We do not consume refined sugar and flour. Some
    people can tolerate whole wheat but for the majority of us it turns
    into sugar causing a desire for more carbohydrates.  It took me about
    10-12 days to lose the desire once I stopped eating sugar.  There is no
    need for *refined* sugar in your diet. Sugar naturally in fruits.   I
    don't eat any bread at all. I do have cereal and brown rice for grains.
    I talk with people who have maintained weight losses for 4-5 years and 
    still do not eat bread.   They have found that once they eat anything
    with flour it sets them up for a binge on that stuff.   I have
    wonderful meals and don't miss it at all. 57lb loss in 5 months was my
    reward.   One has to read labels very carefully. The manufactureres put
    sugar in everything.   Weight Watches salad dressing has fructose in
    it.  Remember sugar comes under disguises, fructors, sucrose, corn
    syrup, etc.   Ken's Steak House Italian dressing doesn't have any sugar
    whatsoever. Either does Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing.  Now I read all 
    labels before buying.
    
    Hope this info helps.
    
    Barbara
    

    Just a note about Lorraine's comment 
    >I would, however, love to have some fruit -- but not badly enough
    >to go over my grams just yet.
    
    
    I abstain only from refined sugars - the natural sugars in fruits are
    healthy for you.   None of us need refined sugars in our diets.  They
    set you up for a desire for more of the same.  Interesting info.
    
    

    I'm another OA person.
    
    I haven't consciously chosen any sugar for 9 months now.  If I get a
    little in salad dressing or Oriental food once in a while, it does not
    seem to set off cravings.  If the salad dressing or Oriental food
    actually *tastes* sweet, I do not eat it.    
    
    It took about 30 days for the sugar cravings to go away.  I was just at
    the Christmas potluck lunch my group had and I took a good look at the
    dessert table.  I can honestly say that none of it "called to me".
    I had some chili, raw vegetables, and a yogurt based dip I made and
    felt very satisfied with the lunch.   I believe that if I were to try
    to have a bite or a piece of something sweet, the sugar cravings would
    be back with a vengeance.  I'm not sure I could stop, so I don't eat
    it.  I can't do on again/off again with sugar.  I think I eat very
    well, and really don't miss the sugar.
    
    My first 6 months in OA, I avoided all flour and grains except for 1/4
    cup of grapenuts a day.  While in England on business, my digestive
    system was grinding slowly to a halt with the change in food and the
    effects of fewer fruits and vegetables.  I added half a piece of bread a
    day to my diet for the remainder of the trip.  It helped the digestive
    process, and did not set off cravings.  I occasionally eat a small
    serving of whole grain bread or rice now, but I watch quantities very
    carefully.  Not everyone can do that - it's best to get a qualified
    food sponsor in OA and to make food changes with that person's help.  
    
    Since I was overseas on business, I made an agreement with the person I
    was traveling with that I would only eat half a piece of bread a day.
    That works for me in a pinch.
    
    I have lost 80+ pounds doing what I'm doing.  I have another 35 to lose,
    and it's coming off slowly.  The most important aspect of changing old
    eating behaviors for me is to learn to focus on "one day at a time".  I
    can do just about anything for one day.  The only way I have not eaten
    sugar for 9 months is by not eating sugar "just for today".  It
    certainly helps not to have the cravings, but the only way to achieve
    sustained serenity around food, in my opinion, is to do it each day,
    just for today.
    
    Holly

    Congratulations Holly!   Isn't it wonderful to be free of the sweets
    in our diet.   The wonderful feeling of serenity that comes with
    ridding your body of sugar is how to explain to anyone who hasn't
    tried it.  The weightloss is the extra benefit. 
    
    I can't do flour as evertime I have tried to introduce it back in,
    it sets me of for cravings.  Just seeing so many people maintain
    their weightlosses over long periods of time without the flour has
    me convinced it's the only way to go.
    
    Keep up the good work!
    
    
    Barbara
    

    Thanks.
    
    I think it's ironic.  Flour (without any sugar mixed in) is of very
    little interest to me.  I could take it or leave it even when I was
    eating compulsively.  So being able to eat a little now and not get
    cravings is nice in terms of flexibility, and somewhat ironic!
    
    I like the 12 step philosophy of 'take what you need and leave the
    rest'.  It really allows us to identify what we need with the help of
    our sponsors and supporters and tailor a program that is right for us
    individually.
    
    Holly

    
    I admire you for having the will power to live without sugar.
    Congratulations!
    
    Do you also avoid artificial sweeteners as well?  I want to try this
    but need to know the details.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bev

    I do use nutrasweet.  When I reach my goal weight, I hope to cut down on
    them and add more fruits as sweeteners.
    
    Holly

    What about mollasses?  Does that consititute a refined sugar?
    
    Thanks,
    
    kathy

    
    I'm pretty sure that molasses is not a refined substance -- if I recall
    correctly, white sugar + molasses = brown sugar.  It's still solid
    calories, though . . .
    
    Beverly