For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a sweet tooth. I can demolish a dozen of peanut butter cookies in 30 minutes flat. I love healthy and nutritious foods and eat a salad almost every night for dinner, but my self-discipline is non-existent when it comes to baked goods and ice cream.
Unfortunately, a tendency to over-indulge in sugar can lead
to health issues, so back in 2009, I decided to really embrace a healthy
lifestyle and ditch sugar.
Here’s how I gave up added sugar & how you can do it,
too!
The Guidelines
1. No added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no
alcohol.
First, I had to figure out what in
my diet had to go.
So for 3 weeks, try these tips
that helped me:
- Make your own salad dressing instead of buying it from the store
- Drink plain black coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up instead of a handful of M&Ms
- Drink the unsweetened version of vanilla almond milk
- Eat plain Greek yogurt instead of a flavored kind
- Eat fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Avoid alcohol ;)
The Experience
The first week was unbelievable. The second week I wanted to
call it quits. And, the third week I examined a whole lot about my life.
I experienced a more even energy level. This made me feel
great during the first wee. The second week, my cravings took over my mind. I
had to make a conscious effort to choose plain black coffee instead of a box of
Lorna Doone cookies. It was harder to plan out all my meals, but I did it
anyway.
Despite my fatigued willpower, I survived the second week,
and, surprisingly, entered the homestretch of this experiment with a new kind
of inspiration. I had yet to give up, and I had proven to myself that I could
actually do this thing! Overnight oats sweetened only by strawberries tasted
like an indulgence. Water infused with lemon and oranges sustained me through a
tough afternoon. I felt good about
eating clean food, and I was happy with how my body looked.
The Physical Changes
Simply by removing sugar from my diet, I lost six pounds in
three weeks. I also had a flatter tummy for three weeks. I was less bloated and
had more energy. Needless to say, I loved that more than a cookie!!! My
complexion also improved after eliminating the sugar.
The Result
I had an epiphany. I
thought to myself “What if I could enjoy sweets in moderation?” As much as I
missed eating whatever I pleased, I hated the bloated, sleepy feeling that came
with over-indulging in sugary foods.
After three weeks without sugar, I had lost weight, gained
energy, and developed my taste. I also spent considerably less money on food
and drinks. I guess that’s what happens when you pass on wine and dessert. I
don’t think I could permanently say goodbye to my favorite red velvet cake, however
I’ve gained a much better understanding of balance and quality.
Do you want to try to
giving up sugar?
Here are my tips, enthused by what I learned through my own
experience.
1. Eliminate your kitchen, home, and work-space of sugar before you begin.
Thank you for reading & I can't wait to hear about how you quit sugar!
~ J. Lynn
