So I have gone on an on in this blog about the 5 wicked whites – white flour, white sugar, white pasta, white rice and white potatoes – and I have fallen prey to one of them…which happens to me periodically. Thats right – SUGAR! This happens to me several times a year because I grew up with a big sweet tooth. I find myself not just WANTING, but NEEDING sugar. After dinner, my mind immediately goes to dessert – even if I choose a healthy one… my body still wants something.
So its during these times that I chose to WEAN my body off of sugar. Usually I pick just after Halloween to do it – because I am sick of seeing candy everywhere. AND afterward when I have some AWESOME pie on Thanksgiving, the rest from sugar will allow me to be satisfied with much LESS and enjoy much MORE what I do have. Then I find I am much better off during the Christmas season when sugar is around every CORNER, from every NEIGHBOR, and everywhere I go!
So – I officially started YESTERDAY – DAY ONE. My own REST FROM SUGAR or SUGAR FAST rules:
- No white sugar
- No high fructose corn syrup if I can help it (it can sneak up in salsa, tomatoe sauce, chicken broth – unexpected places)
- Sugar in other forms – maltose, sucrose, – all the -ose words, raw tubinado sugar, brown sugar, etc.
Thats really it. I do allow myself ONE EXCEPTION – that is that I can have a square or two of green and black 85% organic chocolate (my absolute FAVORITE – and very low glycemic)!
I also allow ALL- fruit, fruit spread on bread if I need something else, and of course there are FRUIT SMOOTHIES with all fruit that are fantastic!
Last night for “dessert” I made a smoothie in my vitamix with frozen raspberries, half a pear, a tangerine, a teeny scoop – size of a raindrop – of stevia, and chia seeds (high in Omega 3s) – I shared it with my 2 year old and we LOVED it!
Getting reacquainted with NATURAL sweetness – that of fruit – is nice because you body will tell you when to stop. Not so with refined white sugar or chemically processed HFCS. However, I stick to low glycemic fruits to really flush my body out during my sugar reprieve.
Hardest days? Day 1, Day 3, Day 7 – then it gets easier because you have a chunk of days under your belt already, and your body sheds its withdrawal cravings.
So – if you would like to JOIN me – until TURKEY DAY – chime in and let me know. You will most likely lose weight and inches around the waist, which is a side perk no one can argue with. My goal this time around – a HEALTHIER PREGNANCY. Whatever your reason – you can’t lose!! Are you in?
Congratulations on your pregnancy! How exciting!
I’m totally right there with you! I started having no sugar towards the end of September. That first week is killer! I lost 7 pounds in 4 weeks. I allowed myself a half cup of ice cream (it was gross) and some of my kid’s Halloween candy (made me sick). Now I’m on the bandwagon again and will only allow myself some pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. That’s what I’ve been telling myself when I started this. I always feel better being sugar free! It’s like you took my thoughts and feelings, what you are allowing and what you’re staying away from, and wrote it all out.
Time to lose all the baby weight from #4 AND a pretty big abdominal separation. Luckily I don’t have the organ bulge. Instead, my belly button is in a crater. Has been since after baby #1. It has gotten worse with each one. I didn’t understand how come Pilates and all the tummy work I was doing wasn’t doing anything for me. I have also been battling painful hips/lower back for years. Now I know why. Thank you for being so candid about everything. I’m excited to close this up and get my mid body back together!
I’m so glad you are doing this! I have known for weeks that I needed to do this, and I actually just started on Tuesday. However, I haven’t been able to be 100% perfect yet but I am doing a lot better than I was. All those little ingredients in food sneak up on me and I need to be careful. For example I was eating Special K for breakfast…you’d think it would be okay right? Wrong – 9 grams of sugar per serving. ughhhh.
Anyway, I really need to wean myself off of sugar because I too just crave sugar in the evenings like crazy. I also get really big cravings in the late afternoon around 3pm or so. Yesterday I beat my cravings and had red grapes with lowfat cottage cheese. It was hard because I really really really wanted sugar, but I was proud of myself afterwards.:)
Anyway, congrats on the pregnancy! By the way, I’m starting the 6 week program soon. Tomorrow. 🙂 Got the splint in the mail – thank you.
Ay Bonnie, this is why I just finally accepted myself the way I am right now. Belly and all, cause I could never do anything like this! You are my hero.
I’m in. Already doing a major liver flush, so this will fit right in anyway.
I’ve been off of any refined sugar for about 2 years, with occasional splurges for parties, birthday, etc. But I’ve been on a detox for 6 weeks with absolutely none–even in salad dressings or anything else (I make my own)–and I plan to make it to Thanksgiving, when I shall indulge in pie, white bread, potatoes, and all other things I’ve been avoiding (dairy, grains, etc.), and I expect to be completely sick at the end of it. So, yes, in short, I am in. 🙂
Oh, and congrats on the pregnancy! I will probably join you in the #4 as well, soon enough.
If you are on day 7 tomorrow – buckle your seatbelt. It can be tempting! Congrats to everyone who made it this far! How has it been for you?