Today is day 3 of Laura at Mommy Run Fast’s 7-day sugar detox challenge. The week is young, but I am hanging in there.
Although this is by no means my maiden voyage into sugar depletion, I am learning things about myself.
- When I get highly annoyed, I tend to want to let my diet go to he** as well. Our internet was down all day yesterday and until 6pm tonight. I have zero patience for crap like that. I wanted to drown my frustrations by diving headfirst into one of the kids’ Easter baskets…but I haven’t.
- When I restrict sugar, my diet becomes healthier/less calorie dense overall and I tend to not take in sufficient calories.
- I am amazed how much I am craving an after-dinner sweet in the evening, even though this is typically not my witching hour. Niraculously I’ve been ok in the afternoon. Go figure.
So what AM I eating?
Eggs. Easter. Is there any other kind? Fruit, veggies, nut butter, lean protein, the usual suspects.Β More kombucha than usual.
Sugar detox is more successful when I:
Get temptations out of the house. There are still plenty of temptations here, they just aren’t MINE. Caveman has chocolate covered raisins that I’d usually share. The Easter baskets stare me in the face. But MY chocolate covered cranberries and almonds are no longer in the house to tempt me. Those are what I’d habitually snack on until I felt sick.
Make sure I have healthy alternatives aka ‘safety net’ foods on hand. For me this is fresh fruit, carrots/celery/peppers with hummus.
Drink plenty of water. I really don’t get enough unless I drink from a measured bottle.
Use positive self talk. I’m sure I’d seem quite cocky if someone heard my internal dialogue. This week I’m constantly telling myself how I can so do this. With each passing day I’m gaining momentum and am looking forward to when the cravings to subside.
That’s it so far. I’d love to turn this into a lifestyle change where sweets are just an occasional treat.
Are you sugar detoxing? Do you have a food weakness?
Great job Marcia! I’ve been doing pretty well with the detox also. I’ve replaced my candy fix with grapes and cuties! I did have a Chobani Flip today :/
I too have been doing the sugar detox. Day 1 was alright, I craved chocolate when I got home from work (which someone had brought in a leftover cake from Easter). I’m a school counselor, I had to avoid the staff room. Tuesday was harder!!! Wednesday was better but there was lemon cake and chocolate cream pie outside my office, I had to stare at it everytime I left my office. UGH!!
I SO need to do this now. Sweets are my downfall. That said, I never eat too few calories. Pretty much never π You have inspired me. I think next week will be sugar detox. Or maybe I should start now.
The sugar detox hasn’t been too bad. I’m actually surprised. It’s hard though being a stay-at-home mom and having the temptation in the house all. day. long.
Go Marcia! I am actually adding sugar in to my diet. π I am trying to give up artificial sweeteners, which I much prefer to sugar, (they’re sweeter,)but I figure natural is better. I’m also trying to cut back on my grain on the suggestion of a friend that it would help joint pain. And that is KILLING me. Everything I like is made out of grain. Ugh. Anyway, we can write back and forth and commisserate. π
Good luck.
Gaye
When we go to BJ’s Brewhouse I know I’m done for. I can put away pizookies like nobody’s business. Oh sugar, why are you so bad!
Way to go on the sugar detox. I didn’t sign up for the challenge but thought I might try on my on – nope!! Yesterday, after my long run the only thing that sounded good was one of the boy’s Reese bunnies – and I ate the entire thing!!! (peanut butter is protein, right?)
I usually don’t even eat much sugar – weird!!
Good luck on the detox!
Nut butters were my saving grace in detox!
You’re doing great, Marcia! We no longer have Easter basket goodies in the house… that would really get me. Lots of water helps me, too… and a handful of almonds and dried fruit has helped when the sugar craving strikes.
I am detoxing, too! I started last week but gave myself a past post-half marathon and hopped back on Monday. The one thing that kills me is nut butter. I hate having to go buy special almond butter since most varieties have sugar. And I wish I ate fewer calories while cutting sugar. I think I eat more because I eat more carbs/nut butter during day and popcorn at night.
YOU’RE HALFWAY THERE! Good for you! I did a 5 day cleanse that involved no sugar – having tea definitely helps to give you a bit of sweetness. Keep it up π
I am doing the #sugardetox this week too, along with all processed food and it is also the first week of another Whole30 for me.
Yup, you gotta be organized, and have alternative snacky things on hand.
I have had quite a bit of fruit so far this week. And a few sundried raisins and some prunes too.
Keep it up… the crankies go away!
I’ve been on an exclusive jelly bean and chocolate egg diet since …. um, a week before Easter. I feel like crap. Imagine. Yesterday I actually had some protein, amazing how much better I feel today.
Be strong, Thelma – you can do this!
Chocolate is my weakness. I think if I didn’t have any chocolate around and someone in my house did, I’d probably sneak some of theirs. Shameful, but true. Way to go on resisting their goodies!
I actually haven’t had sugar in 10 years! Can you believe it?? Honestly, after a while you really just don’t miss it, especially because you feel SO amazing without it!! Good luck and I cannot wait to hear updates!
Chocolate is a weakness of mine. It has been for as long as I remember. If I can have about a Hershey’s kiss a day or a handful of M & M’s I’m in good shape and don’t need anything else. With that being said, I can’t imagine having to give it up! π You’re doing great!
You are stronger than me!! π I just don’t do things like this – I guess at mt age & all I have done thru the years & how hard I workout, I just want what I want. π
I am all for those that do it though… I can’t give up my weekend treat cookies for sure! π
I am not doing the sugar detox because I’m running a marathon and have to use Gu, but I love the idea and it certainly has made me more aware.
The Easter candy has been tough for me this year as I am at peak training right now – and totally craving carbs (and caffeine π ).
I’m impressed, as always, with your self-discipline, Marcia. You really follow through with your plans and it is motivating to watch!
I don’t think there are too many things in my house. It’s work that is the issue for me. There is one massive sugar fest going on there daily.
I’ve yet to try Kambucha. I don’t like cold mushrooms so I’m thinking I won’t like it. However, I hear rave reviews about it all the time.
Easter is just so bad when it comes to my sugar intake. I’ll admit to eating too much of the stuff in the last week and feeling really yuk. It becomes a cycle that I’m still a little reluctant to give up. Luckily its effects haven’t quite caught up with me on the scale but at the same time, if they had I’d have more incentive to stop.
Good for you! So glad to have discovered your blog. I am having to make myself drink more water. It seems like the more I do the easier it gets.
Late congrats for the great race and the 1st place in the AG.
I have to drink more water for many reasons but Coke is my weakness.
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burun estetigi
Thanks for sharing your strategies here! I am trying to cut back too- but i swear the addiction is like crack. I use a lot of stevia, but my brain is not fooled and is still looking for the white stuff.