I am 1 year post-surgery and I've had great success losing almost 90 pounds, but I have about 30 more pounds to get to my goal weight. Recently, I'm finding that I'm cheating by eating sweets. I know I shouldn't, but I'm just failing at keeping them out of my mouth. Started around Halloween, continued through Christmas, and right on through to the Superbowl. My weight loss has been stalled, but you can understand why, can't you?!!!

I'm just really mad at myself right now. I keep asking myself why I am not being stronger about this? Why am I self-sabotaging? I do seem to be more depressed of late, some days I just don't want to get out of bed. Real lack of energy...but all my blood work is normal. I was hit pretty hard by the death of my father in January and I'm still dealing with the grief and responsibilities around that. I have an upcoming appointment with my therapist, so hopefully she can help me sort it out...

Question: Does anyone have a suggestion for how to "detox" from the sweets? I was wondering if I should do a couple of days of liquid diet or protein shakes or something like that? Any suggestions?

Thanks for listening!

I'm sorry for your loss. Losing your father sounds like a significant factor in losing your energy. Certainly the resulting depression adds to the deep fatigue.

About sweets: I had a massive sweet tooth. I had my surgery 12/28/17 so I'm still working at getting my protein and fluids in but In the back of my mind I am telling myself to beware as I get further along because I may be tempted. I'm not sure of how to detox from sugar but here's what helped me:

1. Stop bringing sweets into the house.
2. When sweets are available, pick up water or some tasty protein instead (if available) or simply walk away.
3. Drink lots of water.
4. Brush teeth after each meal.
5. Following brushing, fill up a tumbler with water and carry it around to drink 1/2-1 hour following eating. (The eating done before brushing.)
6. Focus on something else. I have been suggesting jigsaw puzzles a lot because I've found that they engage my mind and take my focus off of food,

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you success. Staying away from sweets is tough but you can do it.

Thanks for the advice!

I was sleeved 12/29/17 and I’m surely craving sweets too soon I suppose I really need some suggestions. Sorry for your loss but celebrate your accomplishments and know you may slip and fall just don’t stay down.

I use splenda and it satisfies my need for sweets. Sorry about your loss. I also lost my dad 2 years ago and know it hurts. Keep your head up. You can do this.

I don't eat it as much anymore, but 1/2 cup of cottage cheese with 1 tablespoon of sugar free strawberry preserves stirred in was a staple in my daily food plan for almost a year post-op. This has 13 grams of protein and only 6 carbs. It gives you something a little bit sweet and still fits into most any healthy way of eating...

Frozen banana+cocoa powder+almond milk+Splenda...blend well = Sugar craving cure.

If you want to make it really decadent,...stir in some tiny chunks of strawberry, pineapple, fresh banana, pecan bits, and drizzle with sugar free chocolate syrup....and eat with a spoon.

On 2/5/2018 at 4:05 PM, Minnesota Redhead said:

I was hit pretty hard by the death of my father

I've learned that the harder it is the better it was. Dealing with the death of a loved one is very difficult when the relationship was very good. It makes it that much harder to move forward. Ask yourself this question, would your father want you to lose all of your gains because of him? Most likely not. One way to honor your father is to be successful with your weight loss goal and to be as healthy as you can be. When you are tempted by the sweets ask yourself would your father want you go off track because of him? I'm sure that piece of candy won't matter too much to you if you answer truthfully. Good luck, it's not easy losing a treasured person in your life but as long as you still keep him close to your heart he is never far away.