30 days sugar free

[stellabeam]

Hello Everyone,

Have been offline for a month or so and missed you all.

Anyone want to do a 30 days sugar free challenge with me?

I have to start tomorrow but please join me!!

I do not eat red meat or dairy products. I have a life long battle with sugar addiction which is seriously detrimental to my health. In the past it has been very useful to do the 30 day sugar free challenge. It has kept me off it for many months. Have been back on sugar for about a month and need to get off it. Obsesssing all the time about my next sugar fix and feel discusting,

The quest for health, energy, emotional stability, clear vision and a happy spleen begins 0500 12th May 2008!

Please join me.

Stellabeam

[prasunsen]

Will you consume fruits? I also feel attached to sugar and have done few smaller trials (7 days) so far. But I eat fruits during that

[Holistic Star]

Hi Stellabeam,


Good luck with your challenge. I'm doing one of my own to cut down on the amount of tea I drink. (I was a real 10 cups a day person). I've found having lots of green juices and green smoothies has eliminated the cravings I had for tea!

I would definitely recommend increasing the amount of greens in your diet to help you get through the sugar cravings as they give you a great natural energy lift.

[stellabeam]

Thank you Holistic Star and prasunsen for your responses!

Yes I am having fruit and greens. Lots of bananas especially in the beginning and oranges. And yes I have discovered the power of green drinks, thanks to Steve and this wonderful website.

Today was fairly easy,..Just had a tricky moment in the Indian curry shop when I was overcome with a desire to scoff a mango lassi. I managed not to act on it and the desire passed as they always do.

I have plenty of excuses to procrastinate my trial, or water it down. My close friend died on Friday, still finding feet in new job, and wedding to go to on saturday (What no cake??!!!) But all those little "oh it's too hards" can make me stronger so I am embracing them like a heavy gym weight. Lovin those discipline muscles cos I can go anywhere with them.

Thanks for tuning in to my world for a minute!!

Stellabeam

[prasunsen]

Good luck, Stellabeam. I am also not eating sugar from today again, but not sure for how long - I have not set a specific target this time.

[Angela]

Hi, Stellabeam, my 6-week food makeover coincides with your time period, and also includes no added sugar (also no dairy, yogurt, wheat, bread, pasta, or added fat, except a little olive oil.)

This is day 12 for me and it feels very good to be eating so clean. Yesterday was the hardest-hitting day for me; it was the first time my craving for sugar got a little keen. But after an incredible night's sleep, I woke up this morning and that craving time was over, at least till next time!

It's interesting riding the Crave Wave.

Good luck with yours!

[Kanger]

Hello

I'd like to join you if that's ok, although my diet may not be quite as strict as yours. Basically I've been in a really bad habit of buying a can of fat coke and chocolate bars everyday, so I want to stop that for 30 days. I managed today but it was very difficult! I'm probably not going to cut out things which contain hidden sugars (like ketchup, baked beans etc). I just want to eat three meals and no naughty snacks.

I've been thinking what need sugar fulfils (as not eating it may creat a void that needs to be filled) and I guess for me it's comfort, caffine, energy boost. I read somewhere that sugar replaces self love (i think that was Louise Hay You can Heal your life). So also going to start spending more time on looking after myself, giving myself face packs, body scrub, do nails, wax legs etc.

Good luck, any ideas to make it easier will be gratefully recieved!

Vicky (UK)

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Angela

my 6-week food makeover coincides with your time period, and also includes no added sugar (also no dairy, yogurt, wheat, bread, pasta, or added fat, except a little olive oil.)

This is day 12 for me and it feels very good to be eating so clean. Yesterday was the hardest-hitting day for me; it was the first time my craving for sugar got a little keen. But after an incredible night's sleep, I woke up this morning and that craving time was over, at least till next time!

Hi Angela, good for you and nice to have your company. I will plan on cutting out wheat products and diary (I hardly eat them anyway) after the first week or so. I find it pretty intense the first week without sugar. Today I just wanted to eat all day. Luckily I was pretty busy so I did not get much chance.

Keep us posted!

Stella from Aus

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Kanger

Hello

I'd like to join you if that's ok, although my diet may not be quite as strict as yours. Basically I've been in a really bad habit of buying a can of fat coke and chocolate bars everyday, so I want to stop that for 30 days. I managed today but it was very difficult! I'm probably not going to cut out things which contain hidden sugars (like ketchup, baked beans etc). I just want to eat three meals and no naughty snacks.
(UK)

Welcome Kanger,


It's great that you are taking some action! Sounds like you have a real weakness for sugar like me. My withdrawal symptoms include extreme sleepiness, extreme irritability, headaches, lack of energy, constipation, inability to concentrate. In case you re feeling any of that, it could be withdrawals.

good on you for taking them on

Stella

[Kanger]

Day three and beginning to feel tempted. So far eaten really well, just lots of fruit and veg. Also been running each day, but today feel a little tiered and bored, so difficult time this afternoon. Afternoon is usually when I go to shops so will have to think of something to do to take my mind of it.
Hope everyone elses diet choices are going well.

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Kanger

Hello

I'd like to join you if that's ok, although my diet may not be quite as strict as yours. Basically I've been in a really bad habit of buying a can of fat coke and chocolate bars everyday, so I want to stop that for 30 days.

Vicky (UK)

Welcome and thanks for joining us kanger!! Just small daily steps add up to big difference over time. Put the money away and when you have enough do something meaningful with it.

Day 4 and I have laryngitis from eating bread and butter which i never usually eat!! Can't stop eating butter yuk agh!

Day 3 was very tricky with social situation.
Senario..
Friend died a few days ago
Met the family
Mum came out with the tea and most amazing tarty things.
Important to establish bond
"mm they look nice" I said and did my best to ignore them
After the fourth "aren't you going to try one of the tarts?" I resorted to pretending to eat it.
I wish I could have just said "I don't eat sugar" instead of wrapping it slyly, by subtle degrees, up in a serviette and stuffing it down my sock.
I feel an odd mixture of triumph that I did not have any, and weirdness that I was weird.

Tomorow I am going to a wedding so am programming to graciously refuse wedding cake.

Stella da bella

[Kanger]

Can't believed you shoved it down your sock that's so funny!
Sorry to hear about your friend though.
Yes social events can be difficult. A few years ago i was vegan and ate no sugar, wheat etc because I had alot of pain with a condition called endometriosis and I was trying to cure it through nutrition. It was easy to give every thing up because i would get severe pain eating anything bad. Anyways luckily with a minor op it's been resolved but it's meant i've slowly got back into poor eating habits. Anyway I found during that time it was very easy to say no to things and just say it was for health reasons. People were very understanding if i said no I can't unfortunately it'll cause me alot of pain. I think if you feel you really can't then you don't feel guilty. Even though I won't get immediate pain from eating bad things anymore I still want to stop them for health reasons, but as it's not so necessary it has been easy to give into temptation so as not to upset people, but if ever I've had people round and they can't eat/drink for whatever reason I don't mind.

I found yesterday difficult, had coke cravings, but just ate alot of fruit.
Hope you manage to avoid cake at the wedding!
Vicky

[Angela]

I'm sorry to hear of your friend's death, Stella. My thoughts are with you.

But how wonderful that you get to celebrate the joy of a wedding! Hopefully the delightful feelings you feel will distract you from the cake.

My last couple of days have been filled with sugar cravings -- everywhere I go I see donuts and ice cream and cakes and they're all whispering my name seductively.

My nutrition guy switched out my "list" -- whey protein shakes are hereby out from now on, and I'm hoping that helps curb these cravings.

[VacMan]

Keep it up Angela you're doing great!

Eventually you'll get over the "hump" and it'll get easier.

Best of luck to ya!

[stellabeam]

AAAgh!! After all that sock stuffing!!! How Annoying!! It was not even that nice... I feel like I have let the team down, I was like a crazy woman. All I could think of was the stupid cake. Managed to turn down 2 offers, then insanity.

It would have helped if had consciously changed my associations with cake before i went. I have learnt to associate cake with celebrations which is self destructive in my case.

Now I have to begin my 30 days again.

Originally Posted by Angela

... how wonderful that you get to celebrate the joy of a wedding! Hopefully the delightful feelings you feel will distract you from the cake.

My last couple of days have been filled with sugar cravings -- everywhere I go I see donuts and ice cream and cakes and they're all whispering my name seductively.

Angela, Thanks for your kind thoughts and encouragement.
Donuts and icecream look so seductive and are everywhere. I am going to spend a few minutes each day redefining what is attractive foodwise, Because really what looks more amazing? A strawberry or a donut? A banana or a chocolate icecream? A chocolate icecream looks like you know what..

I think I would have been OK with the cake if i did not have to video it the sister decorating it. I am doing the DVD for my friends and you know.. the cake is a moment...

Day 1 tomorrow

Love to all

Stella

[stellabeam]

Hello,

Day one was pretty easy with no effects.

I met a woman recently and was impressed with her self acceptance. She had offered me and 2 others a lift home. We walked around while she tried to find her car. If that was me I would have been very embarrassed. She had no trace of it. Just calmly, matter of factly looking for car. When I commented on this, she said she had great self acceptance.

I was inspired by her, having to start at day one again after I started this thread. I am practising not having wedding cake guilt and shame. The Dalhi Lama once said "As soon as you realise you have made a mistake, do something about it" So bring on Day 2!! (today)

love to all Stella

[Kanger]

Hi Stella

don't be so hard on yourself, one cake out of 30 days isn't that bad at all.
maybe the occassion called for it..I decided not to drink alcohol for a year at start of this year (i've gradually been reducing it over the years so wasn't that hard but found I was still drinking when out for meals socially so wanted to stop completely for a year). Anyway I haven't had a drop apart from a 1/2 glass of champagne on my mum's 60th and another 1/2 glass when a friend from NZ was over. I didn't feel that bad as they were both such one off occassions. I can't see myself having anymore as no other occasssions lined up, but I'll be pleased to have gone a year with just one glass of champagne as it'll probably run into 1yr and 1/2 or 2 or 3 years. ANd your 30 days is likely to run over into 50, 60, 100 days, or a lifetime change.
hope it's going ok. touch wood, i've been fine, just taking fruit with me everywhere to avoid temptation. But think hormones are going to start kicking in soon as time of month so that will be a real test.
all the best
Vicky

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Kanger

touch wood, i've been fine, just taking fruit with me everywhere to avoid temptation. But think hormones are going to start kicking in soon as time of month so that will be a real test.
all the best
Vicky

Thanks Vicky,

A little bit of mental reprogramming really helps. Replacing positive associations (like "ooh yum a treat") with negative ones (slugs poo mud etc)

I stopped having a relationship with chocolate by sticking some at eye level in the kitchen cupboard and saying "chocolate is mud chocolate is mud" every time I saw it. It only took a few days before I could not stand the thought of eating it.

health and happiness

Stella

[stellabeam]

Hello World,

Day 2 was easy.

Very busy crazy at work. Eating fruit and veges when i had a chance. Finding it hard to drink enough water because I cannot have water where I work so always a have to run up stairs / corridors to get a drink.

How are Angela and kanger going?


Stella

[Angela]

I suffer a little tiny bit when I pass, say, a Krispy Kreme store. But it's getting better.

A couple of days ago I had a total blood sugar meltdown in the middle of my workout. When I talked to my food/trainer guy, he told me that while he doesn't want me to crash, it was actually an indicator that my metabolism had had a breakthrough and it was time to eat MORE food -- in particular, to add more carbs. Not donuts, though. Just bigger servings of what I'm already taking in, sugar-wise: brown rice, couscous, beans, fruit, etc. It seems to be helping with the cravings, just to be so satisfied (not to say stuffed) all day long.

I had a bad moment when my guy told me that when I had my crash, the best choice would have been to just go get emergency calories: like a cheeseburger. I so wish I had know that. I had been trying to be a good girl and stay more or less on the program, and I felt guilty about having one of those little 110-calorie Pria bars to get fast sugar. D'oh! A cheeseburger! Danger Man said, "don't you feel a little woozy now?" (like, looking for an excuse to scarf a cheeseburger.)

I'm halfway through my 42 days! I will be rewarding myself on Day 43 with

Tortelli Di Patate E Fichi Potato and fig tortelli in a butter, sage and Parmigiano sauce

...and a big glass of Italian red wine. Then I will willingly enter my sugar coma.

[Kanger]

Confession time....I slipped up big time yesterday, had really bad cravings and ended up buying a can of coke and 4 (yikes) chocolate bars.

Not good, back to lots of veg today. Realise it's a hormonal thing and have been researching diets and foods and vitamins that help to minimise pmt and cravings. So hopefully I'll have a diet plan to minimise cravings next month. Don't feel that bad about the sugar, think I can go without for a further 30 days hopefully.

[stellabeam]

Oh Gosh,

Have had laryngitis for 2 weeks cos I had a "butter fest" when I first stopped the sugar. Been teaching and using voice all day and no rest.

So day 5 and going strong. I realise it is the social situations which are the biggest challenges. And it boils down to putting my needs before others, which I need to actually practise. I hurt my body because I don't want to offend someone or make them uncomfortable for a minute. So I eat their bad food when they offer it. Where is the love in that?

Originally Posted by Kanger

Confession time....I slipped up big time yesterday, had really bad cravings and ended up buying a can of coke and 4 (yikes) chocolate bars.

Dear Kanger the 30 day challenge is really good for getting beyond the desparate cravings. Just begin again. In my experience you feel like dying when you first stop. The cravings are really intense at times. If you surcumb to them, 4 chocolate bars is what happens and the cycle begins again. If you can get through the first the first week, the second week is easier. The third week is easier again. Soon you will be free. It is a journey. Be kind to yourself.

Love stella

[stellabeam]

Hello Team,

I feel as though I am over the worst of the sugar withdrawals and the only thing to report is a new found bread and butter addiction.

See my new thread "30 days without bread and butter".

Stella da lerve

[sleon]

I've been reading for a while, and I just wanted to chime in and say that I stopped sugar on May 1st as well. So all of you are even less alone than you know This was my 2nd 30-day-habit trial...first was stopping coffee, which was super-easy for me. Sugar, however, has always been the bane of my nutritional existence. It's gone really well thus far--had a few adjustment symptoms in the beginning--and now have hardly any cravings and little problem staying off of it. I'm planning to continue on with it, because sugar is so horrendous for my health and weight.

Anyways, good going, all!

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by sleon

I've been reading for a while, and I just wanted to chime in and say that I stopped sugar on May 1st as well.

Welcome sleon!! I think we sugar addicts need all the support we can get, especially in the first week! sounds like you are doing great!!

Today was very easy for me. I have had no withdrawals and feel great!! I know from experience the challenge will be when I have an emotionally challenging time, or am too polite on a social occasion.

Have to re-program that!!

Love Stella

[Angela]

Well, my Krispy Kreme issue seems to have cleared up. I have had midnight sugar cravings lately, though. My food guru tells me that's because my metabolism is burning much faster now, and added in a couple of things to my daytime diet: yams, larger carb portions in general for my other meals, and now I can have a little oil. That has vastly improved my workouts -- I was crashing -- and we'll see about the midnight Cliff Bar thing. Wish me luck!

Stella, I think it's great that you're also weaning yourself off of bread and butter, since it's just sugar and fat!

[sleon]

Originally Posted by stellabeam

am too polite on a social occasion.

You just have to start enjoying shocking people, Stella. Politely saying, "That looks delicious, but no thank you, I no longer eat sugar," is enough to make people's eyes bug out of their heads. It's fun! AND, who knows, you may actually be helping someone with their health by putting the notion out there that we do not NEED to eat sugar and actually do a lot better without it.

[Esuna]

Hi Ladies (and Gentlemen?)!

I'd like to join you on your quest conquer sugar starting today. I have so many issues because of it. And I feel terrbile after going back to guzzling soda.

Lots of people have advised me to wean myself slowly, or to not deny myself a soda once in a while. But the problem for me is that it's a huge addiction. If I have any at all, the cravings and the habit are back. So I need to say goodbye to processed sugar!

So far, I've had one really big glass of ice water. I am also gradually trying to test the waters with eating raw food. I am having Honey/Almond/Flax Kashi bars today, though. There are carrot sticks and sliced cucumbers in my fridge. I have been craving cucumbers like mad lately.

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by sleon

You just have to start enjoying shocking people, Stella.

THANKYOU SO MUCH sleon, for that excellent advice!!!

[stellabeam]

Originally Posted by Esuna

Lots of people have advised me to wean myself slowly, or to not deny myself a soda once in a while.

So many people say that to me too. They have no idea.

You know what your body's reaction is. The nature of addiction is that if you begin you cannot just stop. That is what an addiction is.

It is so easy to listen to the "voice of reason" when your body is screaming out for sugar. The people who say that are not doing you any favours.

Perhaps they find it confronting because they are addicted too.

Stella