Carb-fest weekend

It has been very chilly and overcast all weekend in southeast Texas. I didn't eat much in the way of protein and certainly didn't get enough fluids in. I did manage to have quite the carb fest though (no flames please). Has anyone noticed increased feelings of depression and blahs when you eat too much in the way of simple carbs? It seems like a vicious cycle, almost like a cocaine addiction or something. Eat simple carbs/sugar, feel good (or guilty or both), then feel depressed, eat more carbs/sugar, feel ok, then crash and feel depressed ..... repeat all weekend. Now here it is Monday, and I have had an Achieve at 5:30am and already downed 34oz water. Its getting close to time for my Atkins shake that I do mid-morning. Even though I know I'm back on track, I'm still feeling blah. Yes, its still cloudy outside and supposed to rain like heck later on today & I don't think its hormonal (just sent my little friend packing last week). I just wonder if its physiologically possible to have that sort of reaction to eating/withdrawing from carbs/sugar. I seem to recall doing some research a while back on the effects of carbs & sugar on the serotonin system; I believe carbs/sugar raise serotonin levels which gives us that sensation of contentment. I wonder how already being on lexapro & wellbutrin plays into that equation. Just pondering.... Kris

Oh, yeah, it definitely will affect you. It gives you a high and then you crash. Have you seen "Supersize Me," the documentary about McDonalds? Check it out. The guy eats all his food at McDonalds, and at the end of a month he is having quite distinctive addiction/cravings/withdrawal symptoms a couple of hours after he eats. We all know that the food (fat, carbs, and sugar) of fast food is bad for you, but the addictive quality was quite surprising.

And also, when you go on a carb detox diet (like Atkins), it takes about 3 days of misery at the beginning before you start feeling good again.

Yep. It does that to me too. Sometimes just one meal with too many carbs makes me feel pretty yukky. almost dumping....may as well dumping. I don't know what to call it, but its a motivator to keep the protein/carb balance good or the concequences are difficult. Jeannie

Its still nasty and yucky here, but maybe all those carbs are why I literally slept all day Saturday. My crazy schedule doesn't help either but I was quite the slug. Now just blah over the rain. Having trouble getting motivated to do anything except use the potty (I'm going on 64 oz of water already and its not even noon). Kris

Kris, yes the carbs give me the tiredness, blah feeling and then guilt that I allowed myself to go there. The cycle is vicious. I am dealing with allot emotionally right now, today is day 15 without a cigarette and I'm catching myself grazing like there is no tomorrow to compensate for not having the cigarette in my mouth, hence a weight gain of 5 lbs the past 2 weeks. I have done well today but I'm constantly thinking of food/my next meal/next snack. I have to stop this as it's definitely not a habit I want to have. My AchievOne coffee should be delivered today, I think tomorrow is a great day to start the detox train again. Dana

Hey, if you are quitting smoking, give yourself a HUGE pat on the back! That is the best possible gift you could give yourself (and your loved ones). It's soooo hard, though, so cut yourself some slack with everything else. My husband died from smoking, and it kills your quality of life a long time before that. So hang in there. You are tackling the hard one. Good for you!

Hi Kris! Yep, when I eat crap I feel like crap! That's why I have to wonder sometimes why I do it to myself, but I guess that's just lack of control! It takes me a few days to detox but then I feel much better! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Yes, Kris, it is most definitely like an addiction.  I run through the same cycle that you do.  I was doing well for a while, started eating too many simple carbs again, and am now into the addiction cycle once again.  Actually, the only really bad thing I have here right now is dark chocolate M&M's.  I've been finding myself thinking about them every couple of hours.  But at least I don't have a whole house-ful of bad stuff to tempt me.  (We've been snowed in for 2 days.  I work in a school and it has been canceled yesterday and today, and the roads are too bad to go anywhere!)  I am trying to balance myself with enough protein and whole-grain carbs and fruits.  Also, getting outside this morning for a 45-minute workout to clear our driveway was a definite plus!  I needed to get out of this house, and I'm going to try going out again this afternoon.

I'm not really sure how your meds would play into the carbs/sugar cycle.  But I would agree with you that this is not hormonal, and truly a physiological phenomenon.  Good luck with getting away from the bad stuff.  Also, making sure I stay really hydrated helps me a lot.  When I'm drinking plenty of fluids, I don't think as much about eating all the time.  I have heard that we sometimes think we are hungry when it is really just thirst, and I believe that to be very true.

Best wishes,

Carlita