Have you replaced one addiction for another? (HONEST)

Shopping,sex, shoes, alcohol? Well since we're being honest, I think that I indulge in spirits too often. It seems as if instead of always having something in my mouth, I have a glass of wine in my hand. I'm at a Happy hour at least twice a week, and when the girls are sharing a platter of appetizers I'm sipping on merlot. Not good, not good at all, especially since it goes straight to my head now. But I recognize it and I'm gonna stop. Another thing is caffeine. I am addicted to Starbux, for some strange reason I have substituted lattes for M&M's. The way I get the latte is about 50 cal less than a standard package of candy, but that caffiene can't be good for me right? So I'm cutting back starting today.

Aliya, First, I LOVE your new pic! You look terrific!!! Addicitons... oh yes! I think I'm addicted to coffee and sugar free fudgecicles. I love Starbucks also, but get my latte with skim milk and don't like any sweetener, so calorie-wise I'm okay, but I know the caffeine isn't good. I also like the sugar free fudgecicles wayyyyyyyyy too much. I've been known to eat 4-5 in one day sometimes. I've got to learn about MODERATION. But of course that's the reason I ended up here in the first place. I'm working on it though... Happy New Year! ~Wanda

happy new year Wanda!!! And thank you soooo much! I also get my latte with skim, so hopefully I'm ok too, it is about 20 carbs though...I think Im gonna limit myself to 1 per week. You are soooooo right, it is all about moderation!

Wow Aliya, a latte has 20 carbs? I've got to check that out! I may be doing much more damage than I thought -- thanks for the heads up!

Wanda, check it out, you may be ok, especially if they are plain, I lile flavors so thats where I kill myself!

Hi Aliya! Honestly, I have not started back any bad habits other than the grazing over the holidays........and I am praying that has not become habit!! However, I seem to be obsessed with jeans!!! I have more jeans now that I have ever had in my life. I'm I am in size 12 and 10's and LOVE the fact that I can soooo easily fit into them! I need to stop it because I can only wear jeans to work on fridays,,,,,,I need other clothes too! I would love to have a drin****asionally - but when my surgeon had me open, he noticed my liver was enlarged and come to find out I have stage 4 (last stage) fibrosis. It gets any worse at all and I am looking at a liver transplant. Apparently this is from being overweight the last 15 - 20 years. So no alcohol, tylenol, etc for me.

Hey Caren, WOW, sorry to hear about the fibrosis, I can imagine what that felt like to get that news. As far as the jeans, I know what you mean, I can easily slip into a 10, and it feels good!

Aliya, I know someone who found that wine was becoming too big a thing to them post-op. It was becoming an every day thing which isn't good. So knowing when to change things and cut yourself off is great. You don't want it becoming too much of a habit, ya know? I've also seen many people who become coffee addicts. Think of it this way...if you refrain from Starbucks or cut is back severely and put that money aside...more cool clothing can come your way. I know some of the budget discussions call this the "Latte Factor". LOL. Small spending that seems harmless but ends up adding up to alot over time. Also, yes, caffeine is not good for anyone in the big scheme of things. There are also many that are very opposed to the use of milk even skim. Milk has natural sugars in it - stuff that gets converted to fat in the body. It would be better to have a pure protein shake then a coffee w/ milk. The protein in milk comes along with the natural sugars but isn't as bioavailable to use as whey protein. As for me, I cannot say that I've replaced any habits/addictions. Spending is still a problem but it was prior to surgery. Hopefully I'll work on that in the new year. Kathy

Kathy, you are so informative, and I also am looking at the grand scheme of things...$4.43 a day*7=$30 bux a WEEK!!!!!!! That is $120 a month for cofee, That is disgusting. WOW, thanks for makin me think!

Aliya, You look awesome... I know what your saying about the wine... boy that goes down easy! Hugs Marla