No sugar challenge... anyone with me

Hey everyone. I've been trying to lose the weight I've gained over the past few years (cough *31 lbs* cough). Since last summer I've lost a total of about 8 pounds. But it has been so slow, and I know slow is good, but this is a little to slow for me. I weigh 163 and I want to be at my happy weight of about 140-145lbs. But I don't want to just be thin, I want to be toned and in great shape. I used to be able to run 4 miles in one workout and now pushing 1 out is challenging, and I know a lot of this has to do with my diet. And lately I've been noticing that sugar plays a major role in the reason for not being able to get into good shape. It spikes my blood sugar, only to make me crash, it makes me feel lethargic, and over all like crap. So I am going to go 1 week with out sugar! I have a feeling that I'll feel so good that I won't crave it anymore, and only eat it in moderation. I would love it if anyone else would like to join me!

Do you mean no sugar at all in ANY foods or just no sugar like in sweets.  Because its pretty tough to control sugar in foods you buy at the grocery store.  If you mean, trying to eat as little as possible in foods I buy AND no sweets or honey in my tea then IM WITH YOU!!!

I mean processed/added sugar. Just like staying away from sweets, no adding sugar to tea or coffee, no honey all that stuff. And say maybe limit fruit to a serving or two a day. If a food has say 4 grams of sugar it's game, but no sugary cereals as such

This is a great idea.  I can't really join your challenge b/c I've been refined sugar free for a year and a half.  Seriously no candy, cookies, and not even cake on my b-day. I've never felt better.  Good luck to you!!!

Hi!

I can only echo what beastypixie has said about -never feeling better!

I started using Calorie Count just a fortnight ago- previously, I was terrible with cakes, biscuits, chocolate, sweets, sugary drinks, etc....I wouldn't just have 1 bun or slice of cake either -it would be 2 or more at one time, not just one biscuit but half the packet, I would eat 2-3 bars of chocolate a day, etc....  When I started my diet I decided to cut out completely all this sugary rubbish from my diet. The first couple of days were really bad- I really craved for these foods, but I stuck with it and now they don't bother me- in fact I'm craving fresh fruit now to my total surprise!!  And as I've said, and as beastypixie has said, I've never felt better-it's fantastic!! -I feel energetic throughout the day- perviously I would get horrible energy highs and lows, and when I was experiencing a low I would just have to reach for something sugary...

So I wish you well with your challenge.

However, I am a bit confussed about this whole sugar issue ????  Last night, for example, I really enjoyed the most delicious fresh pineapple (this wouldn't have happened previously- I ate no fruit, only cakes etc...)...however, looking at the label on the pineapple there was 10g of sugar in my 100g serving.  Surely this isn't bad for me ??  I'm not an expert- I've only been doing this a fortnight- but you should be eating as much fruit as possible- and not limiting yourself to just one or two a day ??...as they suggest you should have 5 a day!!  

I have lost 4 lbs in my first fortnight of calorie counting (2lb each week) so I am going to stick with what I am doing- i.e. eating lots of fresh fruit even if it is high in sugar!

All the best with your challenge and weight loss!

Jenny XX 

I'm on Day #2 w/ Atkins.  I'll join!  :)

The last time I did atkins two years ago; I lost a whopping 30 pounds w/ lean meats; fiber (at the end of induction) and the gym 4 times a week.  Then came along my daughter; so it's time for me to get back on focus.  She's nine months old and I really want to look SVELT for her 1st birthday party in 3 months.  I'd say that's a good goal.  I want to lose 10 pounds.

I didn't cheat yesterday; and I'm hoping I can stay on it today.  Normally the first week is so friggin hard; but after that you actually get a "high" from not eating carbs LOL.

OK this is Day One!  It's going to be hell for me.  Chocolate is like my favorite thing in the whole world.  But when I have a bad craving I've been going to the mirror and looking at my belly and then I don't want it anymore.  It makes me feel a little bad because I just wish I were thinner but then I feel happy with myself for not eating the bad stuff.  no sugar...1,2,3, GO!

good luck hrthomps!  yesterday was verrrrry hard for me too.  This morning is as well.  I'm a choco-holic and I already have passed by a gizzilion pastry shops on my way to work from the train ;=/

Day 1 and I'm excited some of you are joining! I feel good about this and I've gone without sugar before and I know it feels great... but sugar is kind of like a drug. It makes you feel like crap once the effect gone, so you crave it again. So I'm staying away from it.

Original Post by jennc2:

Day 1 and I'm excited some of you are joining! I feel good about this and I've gone without sugar before and I know it feels great... but sugar is kind of like a drug. It makes you feel like crap once the effect gone, so you crave it again. So I'm staying away from it.

 

 OMG sugar IS a drug...I swear!  Once I eat it, I want more and more and more, it's like once I start I'm never quite satisfied!  My HUGE weekness is froyo, especially with the heat now 

Count me in...I need to kick this nasty habit!

damn these blasted sandiwiches and pastries in my office.  I've Stayed far, far away today.  I'm so hungry though.  I already ate my Tuna for breakfast and a salad w/ lettuce, grilled chicken and mozzerella for lunch.  I wish I had some cheese!

I have a gross atkins bar but I really don't want to eat that....it's not satisfying.  I was thinking about getting some nuts; but my other weakness is eating a whole bag of ANYTHING; so I'm not going to do it.

how's everyone else doing?

Suprisingly I'm doing well today. I haven't really been craving it. I had a couple grapes this morning, drank my coffee only with cream and I'm feeling pretty good!

Good job vanessa you can do it! 

I too am a sugar-a-holic . . .but I don't believe in going cold turkey . . .I couldn't imagine a life with NO more chocolate . . ever. . . but doing calorie count has definitely made me second guess ALL the calories that are coming from sugar . . . and I enjoy one small treat a day . . . and do I mean ENJOY!  good luck though - i know how tempting it is to reach for a chocolate bar or donut during my 3:00 slump!

oooh i'm in for the challenge! i need a sugar detox pronto! i have been way over loaded with sugar lately - i need to freshen up my system! i'm in for a week long trial - beginning tomorrow! no sweets, and try and limit to 4g/day or less for a week at least!

this is going to be hard!

I'm in for it. I was told to cut out sugar and carbs and it would help my joint pain. Tomorrow is the last day of school and I have family flying in the this weekend  for day recitals. I"ll  will start Monday, eating healthly and cutting the crap. We have had 6 bridal showers and 5 baby showers and birthday and tomrrow retirements more sweets pizza and cakes than you want to see. It make me sick looking at it will start monday. No more soda and sweets and off to the gym 3-4 days a week need to drop this 50lbs. I'll be here to cheer you on if you'll help me. I'll weigh in next Friday.

you got yourself a deal gypsierose :)

i'm off to a bit of a family gathering tomorrow afternoon too :/ 

spending tomorrow night and saturday night away and with lots of fam and probably lots of sweets so it will be hard but i really need to cut the sugar out. my glucose is crazy outta whack and makes me feel super lazy/lethargic/gross. i'm gonna try to begin the challenge tomorrow, even with the difficulties of all the family socialization going on this weekend... keeping this challenge in the back of my mind will hopefully help me stay on track..?

It's a great idea and I try to eat as little sugar as possible. Don't skip on the fruit though. The sugars in fruits aren't BAD for you, they are actually good in that they keep you energized and they are natural. Things with natural sugar are good to eat, and arent nearly the same as table sugars.

question: anyone know good breakfast advice to start off this anti-sugar week?

Oh my god... I'm trying to give up sugar and it's horrific. I'm moody and stuffing myself with vegetables and quinoa in my attempt to fight sugar cravings. I never realized what a fiend I am for sugar, but after noticing how strong my after-lunch cravings are I decided to try and give it up. Add this to the stress of work and my commute and I want. to. die.

As far as breakfast goes, I usually stick to eggs and maybe a piece of toast with cream cheese, or some fruit. Oatmeal is still good without sugar. If you put pieces of apple in about 30 seconds before the oatmeal is actually done cooking and add some cinnamon you won't need sugar at all.

Original Post by musicalfishmich:

question: anyone know good breakfast advice to start off this anti-sugar week?

 as gross as it may sound, I eat tuna for breakfast.  Or, I eat green peppers or celery sticks with l/f cream cheese.  Or you can may egg whites w/ one yolk.

I didn't cheat yesterday.  Yay!  Starting day three.  Feeling pretty good; last night was difficult; but I was glad I fell asleep early- less hours to spend thinking about what to eat!