How can I stop my sugar addiction?

I am a 34 year old female who just had her 3rd baby 3 1/2 months ago. I know my weight range and the low end is 105lbs. Before I was pregnant with this last baby, I weighed 142. I gained 18 lbs during pregnancy and shortly after went back down to 143. However, I constantly crave sugar, especially chocolate cake with chocolate icing. This sugar craving has been going on for the past 2 years or so. I always had a bit of a sweet tooth, but it has never been this bad! Although I know I shouldn't be eating it  and I know it's not good for me and I know I'm going to gain weight, I still choose to eat it. Now, I am at 152 and I haven't been overly concerned as I should be about getting back on track, eating healthy, and losing the weight. What can I do that will help me stop eating all of this sugar? How long will it take for my body to adjust to this and start feeling healthier? Thanks for any tips in advance that you can give to me.

[Renee Radenberg]

You need appropriately 1500-1800 calories daily. Suggest doing exercising when you have a craving. Go for a walk or lift weights. This will help you lose weight and decrease the craving. Walking is the easiest form of exercise. Try to walk for 20-30 minutes. Park your car in the back of the parking lot and walk to the store. That will give you additional walking. Suggest you try yoga exercising which is strengthening your body gently from inside out. If you want to lose weight and may need help, then join a group such as Weight Watchers that has a healthy diet you can live with and get support. You can try to do it on your own with eating healthy choices such as the healthy heart diet. Heart Healthy diet which is a moderate fat diet and a moderate fat diet means = using polyunsaturated (omega 3, corn oil, nuts, etc) fats and monounsaturated (olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, etc) fats, no saturated fats (high fat snack foods, butter, fat spreads) and no trans fats. Eat low fat meats (chicken, fish, loin of pork) or non-meat sources (soy products, nuts), low fat vegetarian combinations (rice & beans, pasta & beans, low fat cheese & pasta), low fat and substitute dairy products (1% milk, low fat/fat free yogurts, low fat soy milk/soy yogurt), use plant oils, non trans-fat margarines, and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. Eat daily high fiber breads and cereals (oatmeal). Try not to have the sweet foods in your home and substitute it for fruit or diet jello which has fewer calories. Do not be discouraged, weight loss can be a slow process but the slower you loss, the higher chance it will stay off. Think of this new way of eating as your new healthy lifestyle and not as a diet.

[cdnskmom]

I had a very similar weight and experience when I had my babies! I agree with everything the dr said too, but the way I got rid of my cravings was by taking lots of vitamins and omega 3 oils daily. Then your cravings will come under control and you will not find it so hard to eat right. Worked for me!