Cold turkey on sugar - when will it get easier?

I decided to see if I could go a whole week without any sugar, I didn't think I ate that much but this has been HARD!

I've just finished day 3 and didn't realize the how much I'd miss the honey in my tea, jam on my toast, ginger snap after dinner, etc. etc. Sugar is one of my downfalls, so I don't tend to keep too many sweet things in the house, but it's been eye opening how much I was actually eating even still. I don't like artificial sweetners, plus I heard they can actually make you crave sugar more, so other than the occasional piece of sugarless gum and one sugarless cup of cocoa, I've only been having whole fruit when I want sweet things.

I've heard that it gets easier after awhile. Will I notice it before my week is up? Anyone else done this and did you see positive changes?

It usually takes me two weeks to get over craving sugar after I've given it up. After that I don't miss it at all! :) It's rather amazing really. (Sugar is DEFINITELY MY downfall as well!) I agree about the artificial sweetners ... When I am detoxed from sugar I too will have some sugarfree gum and a cocoa ... You know, actually it would be much more nutritious to make yourself a hot milk with cocoa powder (would have to do a little sweetner) or Ovaltine -- more calories though. I just wanted to point that out, because I came to that realization myself when I was using the commercial hot cocoa.

My skin and mood were MUCH better OFF sugar!!! I just FELT better all the way around!

Yes it does get easier!  I gave up sugar a month ago, Jan 1, and have not had any since then.  Sugar is (WAS) my downfall too.  I still eat sweet stuff sometimes, but healthy! I eat fruit smoothies in the morning for breakfast with strawberries, oatmeal, flax seed, apple juice, skim milk, and 1 tbsp of sugar free syrup.  I think I am ready to cut out the sf syrup now that my taste buds have adjusted.  They say it takes 21 days to create or break a habit, so you are well on your way. 

I have always had a sweet tooth but when I realized that I was classified as obese (205ish and 5'2" with 36 bmi) I realized how much all that sugar and junk had added up.  So that was a HUGE motivator for me to really tackle that addiction this year, and I think I have it beat!  I have not had any straight sugar and I read all my labels to make sure there isn't any hidden sugar (like in cereal, etc). 

A couple weeks ago I had some leftover margarita in my fridge from a Christmas party, and decided I'd have a drink...I poured a very small glass and could barely stand it....it tasted totally nasty, like syrup!  A month ago it wouldn't have bothered me to drink 2 or 3 glasses.  Yuck!  I can't believe how easily I've adapted, it really was just a matter of having the willpower to stick it out long enough for my taste buds to adjust.  Now I think eating an apple or banana, or fat free yogurt is just as appetizing as something really sugary like pie or cookies.

I believe Splenda is ok, it's aspartame that is not so great for you from what I remember.  I didn't look at it as not allowing myself anything sweet, I just cut out any white sugar and white flour, and am trying to eat organic.  So honey is allowed, some splenda on occasion, and things that are naturally sweet, like fruit.  I don't overdo it on those things though, all in moderation.

So anyway, with light exercise and eating healthy, I've lost 10 pounds this month, which is 1/8th of my total weight loss goal, so that is really keeping me motivated even more to keep at it! 

Yeah, that's funny how sweet stuff is TOO sweet when you're detoxed. Same thing with salt. I like Splenda -- there are some people that are against that as well.

Well, it just goes to show you that you can do what you put your mind too! :)

OK, thanks so much for the encouragement! I'm impressed you guys have been able to do it, gives me hope. I'll continue to fight the good fight. ;-)

Well, it sounds like you're doing great with it! I used to drink my tea with cream and sugar and now I drink it black. I really like it like that now! It sorta "cleanses the palate." Sometimes I think a cup of my old standby would be good, but I don't miss it too much.

I make my oatmeal with 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. I used to use way more than that. Now that's plenty. (So, I do have a little here and there.) You just have to be careful, because if you get too much then you're back to your old ways. For some it's like an alcoholic wanting "just one" drink -- can't do it!

Oh it took me a while. I mean I easily cut out adding sugar to things, in fact, now I let myself add diet, sugarfree things to foods, and still feel a little guilty. I just kept craving in.  And when i had a little, I'd then feel like having a LOT more. It took a while but I AM over it and glad. Its much better on this end!
Now sometimes I dream of a huge fatty sugary piece of cake, but thats it. I'm fine with the daydream, as I know if I did indulge, it wouldn't be as good as I'd be dreaming about and I'd feel guilty.

Its ok, you'll get there!

Conventional wisdom is two weeks for the cravings to stop, I've read that number all over.

But, I've been off sugar completely for 10 days (I'm just starting too!) and at about one week the cravings stopped.  I had a bite of my fiancee's dessert and found it disgustingly, cloyingly sweet the day before yesterday.

I cut out all artificial sweeteners too because they made me immediately want the Real Thing.  I just ate a piece of fruit when I wanted something sweet.  I'm partial to oranges because you have to peel them and it forces you to take your time with them.

Good luck and it will get easier!

After your taste buds get used to less sweetness, you'll be able to re-introduce those things, but in smaller amounts.  I used to put 2 tablespoons of honey in my tea.  Now 1 teaspoon tastes too sweet.  You can do this!  I cut back gradually by the way.  It took 3 months for me to finally be sugar free.

Buy frozen mixed fruit... eat 1/2 kilogram a day as part of your diet.  Your sugar craving will go away and you'll get LOTS of simple... fun to eat... good sugars.  1/2 kilogram is about 275 calories by the way.

you can buy sugar free jam.

I usually have a really hard time giving up sweets, but I'm on a low-carb diet right now and after a day or two on low carbs, I found I wasn't craving sugar or chocolate anymore. Anyone else have that reaction?