I’m addicted to sweets.

A dependence on sweets is really a dependence on refined sugar. Getting enough protein, iron, and other vitamins can help you overcome it. Try Googling “refined sugar dependence.”

When I started getting soft and putting on weight, he made a rule that I’d have to pay a ¥1 million penalty if I couldn’t lose 5 kg in two months. I successfully completed the diet. Once your stomach gets used to smaller portions, you naturally stop eating so much. I think the cravings for sweet snacks were sugar withdrawal. So if you cut out carbs, the urge to eat sweets will calm down too. Are you drinking water, by the way? Try to drink about 2 liters a day by the evening. Make sure you eat protein, such as meat. One thing people often get wrong is drinking juice or coffee when they say they’re drinking “water.” Please drink plain water or warm water. Once you’ve managed to quit sweets, post another question here. I’ll be looking forward to it.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with eating sweets as long as you can keep it under control. I’m the type who can’t stop once I start eating, too, so I limit high-carb treats to a small amount and keep other things on hand to satisfy the urge to put something in my mouth.

I love snacks too, and I eat a lot of them. I don’t think you have to force yourself to quit completely. It’ll just stress you out. Wouldn’t it work to cut back on snacks and eat a little more proper food instead? I only give up snacks when I absolutely have to diet. At those times, I have a goal or a specific reason I need to lose weight, so I don’t find myself wondering, “What should I do?!”—I simply don’t eat them. But because I know I’ll be able to eat normally again once it’s over, I think I can manage to go without them for a few months.

I’ve never had any experience with “food,” but I have quit smoking. I was a heavy smoker—two packs a day—and tried to quit many times, only to fail. But once I finally succeeded, I’ve stayed smoke-free for about 10 years. After trying various methods, I found there were two keys to succeeding: 1. Quit as soon as you decide to quit. In particular, you should quit when things are tough. 2. Decide, “From now on, I’m someone who doesn’t eat sweets.” Regarding the first point: if you quit when things are going well, you’ll want to smoke again when something stressful happens. In fact, it’s easier to quit when you’re already going through a difficult time. As for the second point, it’s important not to set your goal as “trying hard not to eat sweets,” such as “cutting down on sweets” or “going on a diet.” For example, with quitting smoking or dieting, you tend to set a definition of “success”—like deciding that you’ve succeeded if you don’t eat sweets for three months. But having a finish line like that makes the daily struggle even harder, and you’ll probably start eating them again once the three months are over. You’ll be able to quit decisively—and continue without it feeling so difficult—if you define yourself as “someone who has nothing to do with sweets.” I don’t eat sweets at all, but since I’m simply not someone who eats them, it doesn’t feel difficult. Why don’t you come over to this side too?