Hi, Allison. I wanted to say thanks for this -- this is *so* much my current experience ... that antsy feeling, days completely scheduled with no breaks so that I need food treats (because you can eat and keep working!), and also the treats while shopping (and any time I have to do something hard or boring). It's so interesting to me that something with fat would often help you; since RR, I'm not specifically avoiding fat any more, but since I know fat is another thing I used to use for comfort (read: binge on), I've been wondering whether at some point I would have to start avoiding that too, just like sugar.

But it's just so encouraging to see that the whole way I life my life can change!! Thank you!

Pam

I would get that antsy
: feeling and want some sugar. I
: found out that most of the time, a
: good brisk walk would take care of
: that feeling. I would get up from
: my desk and walk around the
: office, or go walk around the
: block. If not, I would figure out
: what my body would settle for
: instead of sugar from the little
: food shop across the street.
: Usually something with fat would
: work, like beef chili.

: My feelings began to calm down once
: the sugar was gone, so I didn't
: find myself wanting sugar because
: of big feelings. But I had always
: used sugar as a way to reward
: myself. For instance, when I went
: grocery shopping, I would buy
: myself a candy reward. On
: weekends, when I was doing chores
: around the house, I would stop
: mid-afternoon for a cup of coffee
: and some cookies. I needed new
: rewards. I did eventually find
: some. I no longer need a reward
: for going grocery shopping, but
: when I'm working on a project, I
: take little breaks to check email
: or look out the window at the bird
: feeders. I also tend to do tasks
: less obsessively and I've learned
: how to be realistic about how much
: I want to accomplish in a day and
: leave myself some leisure time.

: Allison