Normal?--Going carb crazy even with a little bit of carbs? page

[reallygravity]

By carbs, I dont mean the ones from vegetables. I mean the carbs from bread and sweets.

I have been eating primal for about a year now. I am doing very very well on it. The problem arises when I indulge (it only takes a piece of cake or a bowl of ice-cream). Somehow, it takes another week to get back to normalcy. A whole week passes where all I want is sugary and carby stuff. And yap, I end up eating it.

Is this normal, or it is a "willpower" situation? I must admit that I am not aiming to be a 100% Primal for the rest of my life. Those who eat 80/20 (where your 20 percent may be the "bad" stuff), how do you bounce back?

[Neely]

I suppose it depends on the individual. I've been eating this way for over three months and the worst I have had is one ice cream - that I've just had today but I have no desire for another at all. I do have red wine and dark chocolate every other day but these are 'sensible indulgences' anyway. The best way not to come off of the wagon, I think, is just not to get those things in the house in the first place, or if you do limit them to the odd day or two only if possible.

[Derpamix]

that's your body telling you to stop tormenting yourself

[Dr. Bork Bork]

I'd say it's normal. If I have something non primal (like on my weekly cheat day), it's awfully tempting to keep going the next day. That's where will power comes in. The anxiety takes a day or two to dissipate, after that I'm content being primal again.

[Addo]

reallgravity - not sure I can offer any advice - cause the same thing happens to me. I don't seem to be able to cheat cause then I just get overwhelmed by the cravings and it keeps going.......

[Damiana]

It's a slippery slope for me. Eating something non primal kind of gets my mind to reason that since I've ruined my diet for today, I might as well throw the day down the drain and eat everything in sight.

[MarissaLinnea]

Best adivce - just don't even go there. Indulge in the Primal friendly stuff....eat dark chocolate if you want a sweet, mash banana with a little coconut milk or heavy cream and cinnamon, throw it in the freezer for a bit, bam you have dessert.

Every time I think to myself "eh, I'll just have a candy bar" or "a chimichanga for dinner sounds good" then I derail myself for days. Not to mention, it makes me feel like shit physically and mentally (found out that I have a wheat or gluten intolerance). Let go the the stuff that you can't have anymore and don't think about it as the things you have lost, and instead focus on the delicious things that you can have, and know that those delicious things will not make you feel like shit. That's how I have made it easy for myself. I focus on the things that I am gaining (mental, physical, spiritual health, self esteem, self discipline, energy, happiness, clarity) and when I do that, it's much easier to appreciate the little Primal treats that I have occasionally and not dwell on the SAD stuff that I can't have anymore.

[Addo]

It's a slippery slope for me. Eating something non primal kind of gets my mind to reason that since I've ruined my diet for today, I might as well throw the day down the drain and eat everything in sight.

+1 - exactly what I wanted to say

[MarissaLinnea]

It's a slippery slope for me. Eating something non primal kind of gets my mind to reason that since I've ruined my diet for today, I might as well throw the day down the drain and eat everything in sight.

Yes, I do this too! It's horrible. Better to not even start to begin with.

[Tom B-D]

One thing that's helped me after a slip is to have an IF--which for me is eat dinner by 8pm, then skip breakfast, eat again around 1pm or so. It seems to kick me back on track.