Sunday, October 14, 2012

going sugar free!

284/366 :: cornbread

Guess what!?!  I'm going sugar free!  Background:  I've put on a lot of weight lately and I've been eating horribly and not dealing with my stress.

I've been trying to figure out what to do to reverse that but not feeling inspired whatsoever. Who knows when or why inspiration will hit, but when I was reading through this post (on a new-to-me blog) about someone else's experience with going sugar free, I was inspired.

I'm always interested to hear what others have to say about giving up sugar, but I'm rarely inspired to try it myself.  Or if I do try it, it's only half way, and I still allow myself honey and maple syrup and Diet Coke.

This time,  I've decided to do it more fully (and my friend Donna is doing it with me!) and give up all white sugar, honey, maple syrup, Diet Coke, and white bread.  That is as far as I'm taking it--at least for now.  Anyway, that is huge for me.  If I can do it (and I intend to just do it, no matter how painful), it will be a real accomplishment for me.  I'm the world's most addicted sugar addict, for sure.  Donna and I agreed to do this through the end of October, but I'm hoping to reasss at that point and hopefully go until Thanksgiving break.

Mostly I'm motivated by vanity (I've put on some weight), but I'm also hoping to feel lighter and better and maybe even better able to handle my stress.  Hopefully I'll get into a "goddess" state where I see myself as healthier and more vibrant.  It's all mental, ya know?

I've been making a list of ideas of what to eat (oh, I'm not worrying right now about all the hidden sugar--that is not what resonates with me right now.  I'm more worried about the sweets).

So I will not eat:
:: sugar
:: honey
:: maple syrup
:: white bread/white flour
:: Diet Coke or other artificial sweeteners
:: I'll count points too (in the Weight Watchers style) so I don't go overboard with cheese or whole grains, etc.

Ideas of what to eat:
:: eggs and whole grain toast
:: oatmeal with raisins and a splash of milk
:: fruit smoothies/green smoothies
:: date "shakes" (milk, frozen bananas, a couple dates)
:: natural peanut butter
:: whole wheat toast with avocado and/or tomatos
:: meat
:: vegetables
:: sushi (the kind from Trader Joe's)
:: fresh fruit
:: dried fruit
:: string cheese
:: Triscuits

My starting weight is 142 and I want to get below 137.  Those 5 pounds would make a big difference in how I look and feel.

Any tips for giving up sugar?  I'm a huge sugar addict so I don't expect the cravings to ever go away, but I'm hoping if I give up Diet Coke at the same time at least they'll diminish.  What do you think?

(PS--that delicious corn bread up there is what I made to go with soup last week.  It's full of maple syrup!)
(PS--I'm starting tomorrow!  Monday)

15 comments:

nicole said...

i believe in you! i gave up sugar this year...and i whole bunch of other foods and i have never felt better. you go girl.

Unknown said...

Good luck! I have type 1 diabetes, so I really need to be more careful about sugar... just ignore the fact that I baked a large batch of oatmeal cookies today. :-)

What really helps me curb my sweet tooth (and I've got a big one!) is smoothies. I noticed you added them to your list of things to eat, so I just wanted to emphasize their importance. Fill your freezer with lots of frozen fruit, make sure to always have bananas and juice on hand, and go to town! I find that tossing a handful of spinach leaves in the smoothie gives an added energy boost when I'm run down and looking for a pick-me-up. If that weirds you out, rest assured that the fruit flavors easily cover up the spinach taste. Kale or romaine, not so much.

Chris said...

Good for you! I keep putting this on my list 'to do' and then another holiday comes around and I make excuses. I think it would be hard for me to cut out sugar from snacks and breakfast (my granola is sweet, even the homemade, etc.) and late-night sweets cravings really make it difficult. i love the idea of the date smoothie. I often pick up the coconut date rolls to curb the sweet tooth craving, but I hadn't thought to try them in a smoothie.

Sarah said...

I gave up dairy about three months ago and feel AMAZING, I think there are things we eat that are just not good for us (individually) and usually we know, but somehow it is the very thing we crave. I am not a big sugar eater, but with my love for dairy I found when cutting it out that I needed to make other healthier options just as easy to eat. I cut up veggies ahead to have them readily available for snacking time. I mix my own trail mix (sans chocolate) with raisins, sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts - all within several 1/4 cup glad containers. I have popcorn made frequently. And have tried to increase my baking so that I am making healthier option granola bars, muffins, scones, and when baking we use red mill grains and non-sugar options to sweeten. Good luck with going sugar free, you can do it :)

Brenda @ 13 Acres said...

sounds great! sugar is in everything! I did a bit of a sugar stocktake with my intake and that of the families. it's hard to even buy savoury items at the supermarket without it full of sugar. The safe level recommended is 3grams per 100grams which is frighteningly hard to stick to! Good on your for giving up the coke and the sweet stuff! we feel heaps better as a family and because I'm not bringing it into the house, we find we don't miss it! good luck on your sugar free journey!!

Mary Beth said...

Thank you so much for all your encouragement everyone! It really means so much to me.

She Looks Like a Mom--yes! I do know about adding in spinach and I love it! So healthy and pretty and no bitterness at all. Yay!

Dee said...

Good for you. I am almost sugar free and I've got quite a restrictive diet anyway for other reasons, but it can be quite challenging. Especially the feeling that I'm depriving myself.

A friend recently introduced me to a yummie 'treat' that is sooo indulgent tasting - but SUPER good for you.

Throw 1 cup medjoul dates, 1/2 cup almond butter and 2 tbps of cocoa into the food processor. Blend, shape into balls and if you want roll in cocoa. Eat with peppermint tea. Good luck.

Sarah said...

Ive recently been told im Dairy, Sugar and wheat allergic. Its alot harder to do than you would think, they put sugar in everything!

Rain said...

Good for you Mary Beth! I actually gave up sugar about 3 weeks ago. I've lost 5 pounds! It has been hard. I love sugar. But what has made it easier is seeing the difference in my weight, and my skin and eyes look healthier. I don't ache when I first wake up either. And
I don't feel so anxious. All good stuff : )
Here is what has helped: learning to love my coffee without sweetener, drinking plain green tea, having a handful of nuts when I start feeling that need for something sweet craving coming on. My favorites are the raw Brazil nuts from Trader Joe's. I also make tamari almonds which I love. And one more thing is Truvia. It is a form of Stevia that is NOT bitter and it does not affect you like honey or sugar. I use it in my kefir(unsweetened) & frozen berry shakes. Good luck! I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Blessings.

Kristen said...

You've inspired me once again Mary Beth! I think this was just the push I needed. Please do share updates with us.

Blessings to you today!

Julie said...

Oh my, the same blog post inspired me to refocus on "no sugar, no white carbs" again today! I was feeling motivated by her post and left a comment saying that I had regained 5lbs over the long weekend and felt awful both physically and emotionally.

I struggle with sugar (and I love baking) and getting over the first few days is so hard! Once I finally feel like I hit a stride, something usually derails me and it is hard to get back on track... even when I know I will eventually feel so much better in addition to loosing the weight. Here's to the both of us!

Kate said...

Go Mary Beth! You're inspiring me to get back on the sugar free wagon. I went gluten/sugar/dairy free this summer, and lost 15 pounds. I found candy corn at Target one day, and the rest is history. There is certainly a difference! Taking notes on all the great suggestions here. You can do it!

Shannon said...

YOU CAN do it!!!!

I gave up drinking everything except water first. That was back in March...that was my first mini month long challenge!

There is sugar in everything! i am no longer surprised when almost Every canned good and sauce i pick up lists sugar in the ingredients. Its a bummer...

I cook a lot of roast meats and roasted or steamed veggies. They say you can eat butter and oil without worry if you have cut the sugar!

Have you watched 'the bitter truth' lecture online?? That video blew me away!!!

good luck lady!!!

Unknown said...

A group of us at work has been doing the Game On challenge (based on the book...I'm drawing a blank on the authors names, sorry!). It's really helped me watch portions and eliminate sugar - I am-was a HUGE sugar fiend! So far I've lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks which feels really great. You should check it out for some more inspiration! Good luck!

coloring in my life said...

I really haven't done much with my diet-but I've started exercising and weight training (with heavy weights- somewhat) and I have not lost weight but I am more pleased in how my body is functioning-plus I do look a bit more leaner (:
I think decreasing sugar is a great idea as well.