Sugar-free March

[Suze456]

I'm giving up sugar for March...who's with me? These are my rules...feel free to make your own.

No refined sugar
No cake, cookies, chocolate, sweets, ice cream etc etc
No sugar in drinks

The exceptions:
1 day off a week (for 1 meal/treat)
Natural occurring unrefined sugar is ok (whole fruit etc)
Honey in moderation is ok

[kaleidoscopicalkris]

I'm in! I will confess I had a truffle my coworker gave me this morning, but that's my last refined sugar for the month. Let's see how long I can last!

[Classical_Liberal]

I would be in, but I did this for new years (sans the cheat day).  So Ill post to encourage you all.

I haven't felt this good on years! Increased energy, less sleep required, and that blah feeling midway through my 12 hours work days has disappeared.  It took about two weeks for the intense cravings to go away.  The horrible cravings are what convinced me I was literally addicted to all of this refined sugar, I actually dreamt about eating donuts.  In the beginning of February I had a couple of miniature blueberry muffins before I went to bed (not sure why, I just did it).  I kid you not, I felt like literal crap the next day.  I thought I was coming down with the flu or something, until I remembered the late night snack.  I haven't had sweets since. Oh, I've lost about 8lbs too.  FYI I still eat carbs, even some bread, eliminating sugary foods only has given me these results. 

Good luck to all, you won't regret it!

 

[rebecca527]

I'm in. This was actually a new year's resolution for me (no sweets except for one breakfast treat each weekend), but I haven't done a great job of sticking to it.

I'm going to Portland this month, though, and there's no way I'll be able to pass up Salt & Straw ice cream. And I'll inevitably have a piece of cake for my husband's birthday, and hamantaschen for Purim... I'll just have to make those the "cheat" days you mentioned!

[Suze456]

Thanks for posting, Classical_Liberal, that is great encouragement!

Small slip up today (free lemon slice in canteen) but nothing at home to tempt.

[ketojenn]

I'm in!  I'm actually trying to get back on keto and my biggest obstacle is sugar.  I love cookies, chocolate, and DONUTS!!  I do really well for a few days, then I happen to run across a donut and cannot just keep walking.  It's a definite addiction and a bad one.  I've been good 4 days now and am determined to win this time.

[kaleidoscopicalkris]

Well, I ran into my first temptation yesterday - a galaxy donut! It was beautiful to look out, but I walked away. Hopefully my willpower can stay strong!

[swick]

Hi Folks!

Just dropping by to give you some encouragement :) We are pretty much sugar-free these days, except for trace amounts in bacon and whatnot. We do try and limit or make our own alternatives for sugar-laden condiments but we don't stress too much about trace sugars.

Dropping the sugar is the single best thing we have done for our health. It can be a real struggle though.

This article might be an eye opener for those who are struggling, and why a "Cheat day" might not be the best way to go about it if you really want to give up sugar entirely. http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/the-100-per-cent-rule-the-simple-advice-that-changed-my-life-20160825-gr16da.html

Also, I know the challenge is only for March, but if you are going through all the withdrawals and nasties of quitting sugar, you might want to make that feeling good feeling last :) Good luck!

[Suze456]

Thanks swick, the cheat day was to get dh onboard, much easier if he's onboard! Just watched The Truth About Sugar (BBC documentary) on YouTube for some motivation, those documentaries always have some shockers.