Sugar addiction: is willpower enough to kick the habit?

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JennaRra

20/07/2023 at 14:03

JennaRra

Last activity on 26/07/2023 at 15:24

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2 comments posted | 1 in the Living with type 2 diabetes group

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Hello.

How can I get help?

Here is my story if anyone recognizes themselves let's talk about it so we don't feel alone, if anyone can give me advice thank you for your help.

In January 2019, I was diagnosed with diabetes and very high blood sugar levels. At the same time, I've been a sugar addict since I was a little girl, and for months I've been overconsuming sugary drinks, sweets, cakes and anything else sweet at all hours of the day.

When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I stopped consuming almost all sugar, I lost weight very quickly, I lost 3 clothing sizes and for over a year I wasn't tempted.

Little by little, especially during the period of isolation, I picked up bad habits again: sugary drinks, beer, aperitifs and cakes. My weight started to rise again, but very slightly, and my doctor was pleased. Blood glucose levels remain high but reasonable.

At the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021, things started to escalate, with a series of major problems. My mother died, my husband went into intensive care for 34 days and then 2 months in a rehabilitation center. I feel I'm slipping back into my addictive ways, because yes, I'm sure it's an addiction.

I can see that I'm getting bigger again, that my pants are getting tighter and tighter and that my bras are getting tighter and tighter. Oh yes, I should explain that I haven't used a bathroom scale for over 20 years ... feeling good in your body is the most important thing, weight itself is just numbers on a scale, I don't care about fashion dictates or how people look at me. I like ME, I look at myself every day in a big mirror and I love myself, but my health depends on it and I wouldn't want to be on insulin.

So I cheat with my doctor, I no longer take my blood tests before the 3-month check-up, he tells me: "you're going through a difficult period, don't worry, I'm not going to blame you for the deviations you're making". Except that the deviations become daily, to the point of eating sugar all day long. In a way, sugar is my refuge, my way of reassuring myself, consoling myself, putting a smile back on my face. I can't resist a freshly baked cookie, a cake that's lying around,a pack of sweets, looking for sweet foods, bringing more and more packs of sweets to the office all the time. If I miss a sugary treat, I say to myself, I've got to have it! I sometimes go begging for sweets from colleagues on the excuse that I'm a little hungry.

In my dressing room, I avoid clothes that were a little tight a few months ago, knowing full well that they are no longer suitable for my weight gain. Almost every day, I try to reason with myself, I've got to stop, I'm taking risks. But it's like the good resolutions of January 1st, you promise yourself and you don't do it, and then it's so good, and I repeat it's a real addiction.

So I thought that keeping a diary, without cheating, without hiding, of this partial withdrawal might help me to hold on.

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Polina.K

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20/07/2023 at 16:09

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Polina.K

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Last activity on 11/08/2023 at 12:02

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89 comments posted | 13 in the Living with type 2 diabetes group

12 of their responses were helpful to members

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Hello @JennaRra! How are you doing today?

Thank you very much for sharing your story with such honesty. It can be very hrd to beat addiction and I wish you only the best on your journey. I will tag some members who might want to share their thoughts on this topic.

@SteveAllnutt @Redrose47 @trevorbulmer @famis5 @NannasGirl1982 @Dollysandameliasauntietj @ScottyT277 @monday13 @healthcare8055 @epain01 @jinksy @robjmckinney @Pippadog @danabanana @henrick @trevorbulmer

Hello everyone! How are you feeling today?

Do you like sugar? Would you say that you have a sugar addiction? How do you keep your sugar cravings in check?

Take care,

Polina from the Carenity team

Sugar addiction: is willpower enough to kick the habit? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/living-with-type-2-diabetes/sugar-addiction-is-willpower-enough-to-kick-th-5139 2023-07-20 16:09:11

robjmckinney

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20/07/2023 at 19:25

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robjmckinney

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Last activity on 07/09/2025 at 15:18

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629 comments posted | 114 in the Living with type 2 diabetes group

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As with any addiction, the only real help is by helping yourself and coming to terms with the restrictions of what diabetes has brought on us. My bother and myself are both diabetic, he has mostly ignored issues and gone through quite severe experiences while I on the 'whole played the game' but no saint. We are both overweight and who does not like sweet things, giving up full sugar Coke for useless Diet Coke was a terrible experience in life for me. Lifestyle choice is the only option to resolve your issues as there is no magic pill. There is a injection around at the moment which can help you to loose a few pounds as well as control your diabetes, your GP may help.

But back to my brother, he like all us men ignored the issues and has had toes removed through infection, stapled stomach, 'shark fins' growing on his feet requiring special shoes, cattaracks, lost all feeling in his legs etc. I have avoided many pitfalls and not been a saint myself, I was put right by getting cancer and losing 6 stone in six weeks during treatment. Took me from injecting to diet controlled, although put weight on since so back on pills, oral medicine control. So evidence that diet is the key, just in the last six months I lost control with high blood sugars and extra pounds. Back on my individual choice of diet, no plans, I again lost half a stone getting my bloods and weight on track. So, a Yo Yo system that keeps me relatively safe, there are crash diets that work well with diabetes or missing out meals for a day that work, see your GP.

But it is clearly a individual thing to resolve your diabetes and finding a path that works for you. You might be the type that works well with diet plans or local club, finding the path is an individual choice that you must find. Ignoring diabetes can be a dangerous option leading terrible infections and massive surgical operations so watch your feet and legs. Food options is about reading labels and low priced food is usually low in sugar as it is an expensive ingredient, going to Aldi not M&S. One interesting avenue the government is forcing on all of us by reducing 25% of sugar content out of food including sweets by regulation. I spent my time in supermarkets finding unadjusted food as I find they taste awful these days. Good luck with finding your answers there is plenty of help from your GP or online!

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robjmckinney

Sugar addiction: is willpower enough to kick the habit?

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