I was never one to follow social norms.
I didn't start college until I was 22. I got married at 26. I never liked Star Wars. You get the idea.
So no one should really think it strange when I say that I'm avoiding sugar like the plague.
I'm smart, in fact. Because my body feels like crap and I want it to feel better. And in my heart of hearts I know that breaking up with sugar is the answer.
I know this because...
*I get migraines and/or daily headaches that don't subside even when I take medicine.
*Although I think it's making me happy, the truth is I'm more cranky and have less energy when I eat it like a normal person...as in like at least twice a day. Juice, cookies, lemon muddy buddies..
*I can never seem to get enough sugar. No I don't want just one cupcake, I want like five and that's the sneakiest part about the white devil...you can never really be satisfied.
*I stopped eating sugar a few years ago for an extended period of time and I felt SO good. I felt better, looked better, and best of all, when you get sugar out of your system you don't crave it. I also noticed that I stopped wanting fast food and junk food in general. In fact the thought of it makes you feel all barfy inside.
Can you relate?
If so and you want to take a break from sugar too, here are a few tips to help ease the pain:
* Get rid of all the sugar in your house (apartment). It's easier to avoid temptation when it's not available.
* Sugar is an all or nothing deal. If you keep a little bit in your system, you will continue to want it. Take a few days to wean yourself off and then avoid it like you would a disease.
* Just say "No". The more you say no to eating sugar the easier it will become.
* Find a friend who will do this with you. Preferably someone much more disciplined than yourself.
* Pay attention to foods that contain added sugars such as tomato sauce, bbq sauce, teriyaki sauce, bread, cereal, muffins, etc.. ALWAYS check the nutrition label. ALWAYS.
*Put up signs in your room, sticky notes on the fridge, a reminder in your phone...the greater your resolve is to not eat sugar, the greater your chances are of kicking the habit.
*From all my research (and my own experience) it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to get your body completely sugar free. Take it one day at a time and rejoice in each small victory (you turned down Coldstone or you refused those homemade cookies).
*On average, when you are eating sugar, it should be no more than 15 grams a day. This will feel like a lot when you've been off sugar for several weeks. If you choose to include sugar back into your diet, be sure to take it slow. Try not eating it until after dinner. If you consume it in the morning, the greater your chances are of eating it more throughout the day. If you restrict yourself to something small after dinner, you have all day to look forward to it and are less likely to indulge.
*This is not easy. You aren't doing it because it's easy, you're doing it because you want to look better and feel awesome. Tell yourself this often.
I recommend:
"Cinch!" by Cynthia Sass - great book for helping you understand how cravings work and why sugar shouldn't be a daily thing
"I quit sugar" by Sarah Wilson - really helpful two month plan to get excessive sugar out of your diet
Don't be like everyone else! Do something different! Do something crazy! Quit sugar!
Thanks for this- I was just thinking about making a resolve to better my diet, and this is the number one step. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! ...And thanks for sharing and having the courage to go against the flow. The rewards are so worth it!!
ReplyDeleteI've gone sugar free several times and I always feel so great. It's true about it being an all or nothing thing. It is soooo much easier to just abstain completely than to cut it down. I'm gearing up to go sugar free for 30 days here. I figure it is the best way to stay sane through some of the holiday madness.
ReplyDeletePerfect advice, very encouraging! How are you doing now?
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