emily532 - I feel the same way sometimes...I grew up in a household where all of my friends knew where the snack cabinet was and it was just filled with every evil snack - full of sugar and carbohydrates.  I was never restricted on them growing up and as an adult I find that although i love sugar I love carbs more - I could eat bagels, cookies, pizza, french fries, cereal and pasta everyday!

My advice.  Be strong.  You have to really want to do this!  I found that the induction phase of the south beach diet is amazing with regards to curbing your cravings.  But as I said you've got to be strong and dedicated but I assure you that after the first 2 weeks you will feel the difference.  Not only will you most likely loose 5 - 10lbs. but you will also realize that you're not dreaming dreams full of pizza and vanilla frosties.  But you've gotta have the will power for those first two weeks because one slip up will destroy the process.  Read up on it and see if it's something worth giving a try.  I've done it (and strayed one of the days) but still lost like 8 lbs. in two weeks.  I gained a little back afterwards but it was enough motivation to get me started on the right path.

Good luck...stay away from the drive-through!

Don't get me wrong, chicken alredo and chocolate chip cookies are also the devil. It just a little easier to avoid those because pasta and pizza take a little longer to cook/have delivered therefore giving me enough time to rethink them before I can put them in my mouth. I've been refined-carb sober for 10 days, and I was wondering why I've gained a little back. Thanks for the tip about that.

--E

do you feel like it's impossible to choose water instead of juice?

do you feel tired enough to take a nap at any point during the day?

have you taken a course of anti-biotics in the past few years?

do you ever feel your skin crawl for no reason, like you think there must be a bug on you, but nothing is there?

would you say that you've been experiencing low-grade depression for a long time, that you've let time get away from you because of it?

do you find it difficult to concentrate, or focus on something involved?

If yes, I would suggest that you try tapering down on the simple carbs rather than going cold turkey.  (start by diluting your juice with water)

Also, take a teaspoon of psyllium husks (they're tasteless) in 8 oz of water at bedtime and upon waking.  If you have access to a health food store, you might also want to try a probiotic supplement (to populate your instestines with healthy bacteria) taken at bedtime.  And try to use only olive oil as a fat in your diet.

Beyond this, you'll have to see a holistic or integrative medicine doctor for more specific help tailored for your needs.

If you don't eat enough carbs to jack up your insulin (and if you're obese, as the doctor says, you are likely insulin resistant) you won't crave them as much. Insulin resistance is a self-propelling cycle; the more you eat, the more you want to eat, and the more you eat yet again. I recommend doing what I call a 'carb cleanse' which is where I cut down to 15 grams of carbs for brekfast (usually an omelette with bell pepper) and 20-30 grams of carbs for lunch dinner and 2 snacks. I eat every 2-3 hours bc I get hungry that frequently, but everyone is different. It keeps the insulin under control and is much easier than Atkins.

Once you can get sugar off the brain, it's easier to think more clearly. I do this for 2-3 days and then slowly reintroduce complex carbs (fruit, veggies, whole grains) to fill the void. It's how I've lost 50 lbs. It took a long time to get to the point where I can go months without having to do it... but the carbs always sneak back in. Usually from the holidays or stress. They just taste so good... it's a chemical addiction though. You either have to cut back slowly or cold turkey, depending on the severity. It's important to eat a balanced diet but when you're caught up in a sugar-addiction, it's nearly impossible to savor a flavorful salad or an apple with cheese.

I also must warn that if you are looking to lose weight you are also going to have to get used to letting yourself be a little hungry so that your stomach shrinks back to a normal size. People don't realize it but to eat enough to fill an overweight stomach, the stomach must stretch considerably. But it will bounce back, they are designed to. Good luck!