Abstinence - what do you think?

21 day challenge:

Abstain from sweets, baked goods, candy, fried foods, junk food, chips, muffins, pudding, sugary cereal, alcohol, pop, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate, ice cream, and anything else extremely high in sugar.

I find sugar is a substance I have become addicted to, so for 21 days I'm going to grind out this plan:

-1200 cal/day
-I will avoid the foods listed above
-30 minuts cardio/day 7 times per week
-sleep lots
-give my self a to-do list for each day

The last two bullets are related to goals of productivity and proactivity. They are not as relevant to weight-loss, but are still important since they have an indirect effect on it. They will change my lifestyle, which is an integral component in losing weight.

I am very unhappy with where my body is headed, and I want to do something to change it. I'm curious what other's think of my plan. For instance, whether it is to extreme, not specific enough, etc.

If anyone wants to join in on this - please do!!

Let me know how many days you have gone without the foods listed above.

Most of the stuff you listed is junk food and should be avoided anyway. Except chocolate. I mean the real one note the corn syrup that Hershey sells. One with high $ of cocoa, is quite healthy. But it is caloric so should be consumed like everything else in moderation.

LOL! I thought we were going to talk about sex! ha!

1200 cals? that might be a bit low for your activity level?

I agree with upping your cals for days you exercise.  Eating too low may trigger your body into feeling too deprived so I would up the cals a bit.

I think I'll join you.  But I'm not giving up my morning coffee...I will cross off sugary drinks @ starbucks though. 

My main nemesis lately has been ice cream.  I bought Breyer's free ice cream yesterday (90 cals per serving) well I thought it was a good idea but I probably had almost half the container last night.  I really wonder how some people only eat half a cup?!

My list of no-no's:

• Soda, diet soda, energy drinks
• Starbucks
• Baked goodies (muffins, cakes, pies, etc)
• Ice cream
• Candy
• Fried foods (chips, fries, chicken, etc)
• Pancakes-too dangerous for me
• alcohol-havent had this actually for awhile but its still off my list

I'm going to Run atleast 4 times a week and keep cals between 1300-1700 depending on activity level of the day

On days I'm exercising, I'm going to be burning roughly 250 cals (since I'm using the bike).  Does that mean I should up my calorie intake by 250 cals as well??

runningbuns, I'm glad to have you on board!!  I do not think there is such a thing as "free" ice cream - it's a clever trick!!  When I read that, it makes me think I could eat more with not as much guilt.  It is justified by the lower calories.  In the end, the total calorie intake would probably end up being the same calories or even more.  It's like Pringles - once ya scoop yah can't stop.. (without the catchy rhyme).  Good luck with the challenge :)  Let me know how it goes.

I would up it to around 1350-1400 and see how you feel.  1200 is supposedly just a guideline for the minimum amount of calories an average woman should eat to survive.  An average woman is probably only 5'3.  Which may or may not pertaint to you? I've read somewhere (and I'm sure someone can back me up on this) that you should eat back some of the calories you burn.  To help your muscles repair and recover among other things.  I don't think you have to eat back all of the calories you burn but its important to fuel your body correctly so that you can be ready for your next workout and so your body is ready.

lol I think I'm going to put a post-it on my ice cream reminding me not to eat it.  It can be pretty persuasive.  I think diet foods like that do trick your mind...making you think you can eat more of it since its lower calorie or what not...those tricky food industry people...

I also thought this was going to be about sex! hehehe.... I've actually started out with a diet, similar to this one. I started in the beginning of September, and have kept it up until now, with no real difficulties. Yes, I've had big temptations, but it's managable. The only difference between ours, is the baked goods. I still eat bread (whole-wheat only, changed from eating white bread daily). Good luck with everything!!

oh - that kind of abstinence.  i was going to come in here and tell you about a tee-shirt i almost bought: Abstinence is for Virgins.

as far as food, i don't abstain from anything.  baked goods and desserts have never been a temptation for me.  i do try to keep the beer to a minimum.

I've been doing this now about 8 days.

I do have a glass of red wine.

Red wine is absolutely healthy.

I'm on the look out now for some Dark Chocolate 72% or more that is made

with cane sugar.

I've studied sugar and I know what is good for us.

The following sugar's are Fine!

Xylitol.  I get this in a canister.  Looks and taste like sugar but you get it

from the health food store.  It's good for your teeth and gums.  It taste

Percect.

Agave Nectar.  I would have never bought this.  But some girl bragged about it.

so I bought some and wow it's a perfect natural good tasting sweetener.

It scores a ZERO on the GI list which makes me shake my head.  That's hard

to believe.

Then Cane sugar.  It has a 3% diff. the way it's made from table sugar.

That 3% diff makes ALL the difference in the world they way it's processed

In your body.  It's natural and there is NO spike in blood sugar and you

do not squirt insulin.  it's natural and healthy and your body recognizes it.

It's in my instant organic oatmeal. 

Anyway, I could not lose weight very well and I've been around here a long

time. 

I said what can I do differently?

I said I know....

I'll uproot irradiate sugar from my life and increase my exercise mainly walking

from 30 minutes a day to 90 minutes of movement a day.

My first week I lost 6lbs.

I was already eating healthy but would have desserts. 

I find brushing your teeth after a meal helps get your mind off sweets.

And I said to myself like you I'm determined.

If this is the sacrifice I need to lose weight I'm thrilled.

B/c I can still have sweet things if they are made with cane sugar.

I have dropped the bad carbs and only eat healthy carbs. 

You realize that bad carbs turn into SUGAR in the body.

I absolutely love ezekiel bread and thrilled it exists.

It's one of the healthiest things you can put into your body.

I toast it.  I put a healthy fat on this and raw veggies or fruit.

it's working.

Just wanted to share that there is life outside of sugar

and healthy alternatives.

I think ONE drink a day is super healthy and I practice that.

Red wine being the best.

Take CAre Sugar Free Gang

M&M

Original Post by runningbuns:

My main nemesis lately has been ice cream.  I bought Breyer's free ice cream yesterday (90 cals per serving) well I thought it was a good idea but I probably had almost half the container last night.  I really wonder how some people only eat half a cup?! 

I eat 1/2 cup on "I want lots" days and 1/4 cup if I just want a taste.  My trick?  Put it in a ramekin instead of a bowl.  Ramekins are teeny tiny so, even if you fill it up (assuming you don't pack the ice cream down), you only get 1/2 cup but it looks full so it looks like a whole serving.  If you half fill it, you get a nice taste of ice cream and no guilt 'cause even the richest ice cream is less than 150 cals for a 1/4 cup.

I stay away from chips, and all that fried nastiness. Well, even baked chips, which are a favorite. I will TRY to keep away from ice cream -- I know I can. Since I moved down South, the brands of ice cream, like Mayfield are incredibly good! Back North, we didn't even have Ben and Jerrys around...more just Breyers and that kind of stuff. Anyyywayyy.

You don't have to stay away from pudding. I have seen and eaten pudding that is sugar free, even.

I think the only junk I let myself have while on a diet are pretzels, which are not bad in moderation, and 100 calorie microwave popcorn.

Thanks susiecue I'll keep that in mind.  I do have a mini-bowl that I'm using for laundry quarters that I'll wash after this challenge and use.  But yes the trick is not making it a ice cream sky skraper :oP

im in.

21 days without sugar. i can do it!

Sounds like you are setting yourself up for failure, hungriness, and cravings.

why?

does our body need sugar (i mean candy sugar, not fruit sugar)?

i would like to do a variation of this: here is what i think ill stop eating for 21 days:

• cereal
• bars
  
• candy
  
• grains (except for whole grains)
• night time eating (one snack minimum) 

21 days is a lot- how will i do it? should i throw out all my food in my room so i am not tempted?

All I can say is don't take on too many changes all at once. If you take it in small bites they're more likely to 'stick'. It's all very well to eat super-clean and exercise like crazy for three weeks, but what happens afterwards? Will you go back to doing exactly what you were before you started because your challenge is 'over'? I'm not saying don't do it, just be aware of your mindset before, during, and after your personal challenge.

Awesome!!  I'm on day 3 now.  I'm glad to have a few others on board!  how have things been going??

runningbuns - thanks for the advice =)  I'm always confused on calorie intake when it comes to exercising AND reducing my consumption.  I will aim to keep it between 1500 and 1600.  If it comes off slow - so be it.  As long as it comes off. haha  How has the temptation with ice cream been treating you??

slb537 - I'm sorry to disappoint on the topic =P  I figured it might catch some people's attention hehe.  I'm glad to hear you've been able to make the change.  It gives me hope that it's really possible to change my eating habits long-term.

frusturated 11 - so far, I have found the best way to succeed in changing you eating habits is to also change your environment.  If your environment is set up properly, it will help pull you when you're feeling weak or tempted.  If you have fruits in your room, rather than cereal (or other unhealthy foods) - even if you have the temptation, fruits are just so much easier.  Plus it reminds you what you are trying to change when all you can find is healthy foods.  What you have around you is definately key to success.

Good job on day 3! I'm doing good too.  The ice cream temptation actually hasnt been too bad.  I barely even remember I have it.  This is probably the longest time ice cream has been in my freezer in awhile..usually its gone within a couple of days. lol. 

Keep up the good work!

I am going to quit the following for until January 1st to see 1. if I can, 2. If I feel better, 3. to lose the 5 lbs I just gained from too much chocolate (129 isnt bad but still)

Foods with sugar
CHOCOLATE
Dairy
Caffeine
Artificial sweeteners (gum)

especially - chocolate ice cream, s'mores

I really get out of control with chocolate, especially when I am not exercising very much.  I wonder if this is a serotonin thing?

1200 i'm sure you're not starving yourself but not eating enough will make your body think it is starving and switch to survival mode which will hold onto as many calories as possible, you'll feel less energetic because expelling energy means you'll need to eat and if your body thinks its not going to get food it'll work at a lower rate.

its always best to reduce your vices slowly, going cold turkey will only make you crave what you cant have and eventually you'll give in!! watch out, it'll start with a treat for doing so well.... so if you're actually going to make a change, do it slowly.

patience is a virtue. (even in this instant messaging, microwave meal,  i want it now world)