Going sugar free

[Koz]

Most of us have read stories about how sugar is bad for you, especially the refined and added sugars that show up in just about everything. We may know the hazards, but we don't do anything about it. About 4 weeks ago I decided that had to change.

 

As I approach 60 my general health has been good. No aches or pains and no health issues other than getting a cold or two each winter. But I had gained a lot of weight. My work schedule is busy, and I commute 40 minutes each way to work and combined with finding time for chores and fishing  makes a great excuse (sarcasm) for not working out.

 

So for the past 4 weeks I've done a little cardio once or twice a week, but the biggest change was giving up sugar, and that has a huge ripple effect. I look at every label when I shop. Occasionally there might be something with 2g or less of sugar. For example, when I fished a tournament last week I grabbed a protein bar with 2g of sugar. An occasional piece of bread might have a gram of sugar. And of course, many foods have natural sugars that you can't get away from.

 

As for what I eat, it's things like eggs, chicken, pork loin, and steak or burgers along with rice and lots of vegetables. I made a pizza the other week but I made my own dough and sugar free sauce. If I want a snack it will be a handful of almonds, cashews, or pretzel bites. But here's the thing - since cutting out sugar I don't get the urge to snack.

 

As for what I drink, I don't have sugary drinks anyway. Water, milk, Diet Lipton Green Tea Citrus, and a sugar free Red Bull now and then.

 

The result? I've dropped a lot of weight. How much, I don't know because I don't have a scale. I was too afraid. I put on a pair of jeans this morning and they slipped off my rear end. I'm using belt holes that I've never used before. Overall I'd say I've lost 3-4 inches off my waist in a month.

 

I also feel better and sleep better, although it must be noted I also started taking vitamin D and complex B vitamins when I cut out sugar.

 

Another interesting aspect is that I don't crave sweets. Heck, the other day I helped out in the hotel kitchen as we had to bake dozens and dozens of chocolate chip cookies for a function. They looked and smelled great, but I wasn't tempted. In the past I would have tried one, but not now. 

 

I feel I'm at the point where this has become a habit instead of a trial run. Whereas in the past I'm the type of person who throws things together to make a dinner, I'm digging on to picking out some recipes to broaden my taste buds while keeping sugar at bay.

 

Moving forward, I don't have any goals and I still haven't purchased a scale. I may plateau at this wait or keep losing weight. I'd like to drop another inch or two from my waist, but it's not the end of the world if I don't. I won't beat myself up over it.

 

But the big takeaway that I want to share with others is that it's not as hard as you think to cut almost all sugar (and definitely all added sugars) out of your diet. You'll notice changes by the end of the first week. And once you start looking at labels, you'll see the ridiculous amounts of sugar in most of the foods we eat today.

 

 

 

 

[Eric 26]

@Koz That’s awesome to hear you stuck with it and from the sounds of it will be for life.

[GaryH]

Good job…👏👏

[GreenPig]

Excellent. That's really a huge accomplishment. 

[Scott F]

I’m a type2 diabetic and have cut way back on the added sugars and carbohydrates.  You’d think that buying products labeled as sugar free would make this easy, but in a lot of those, especially sugar free candies, there are actually more carbs in the sugar free versions than those with sugar making the sugar free versions even less healthy. 
 

[A-Jay]

Nice job and thanks for sharing your experience.

Good luck on your journey to a better diet

and the health benefits it always provides.

A-Jay

 

[gim]

I think most people would be surprised at the amount of added sugars most of our foods have.

 

Naturally-occurring sugars in foods (like fruit) is generally pretty good for you but the artificial crap is bad.  Consumption in moderation is a good route.

[N Florida Mike]

Nobody on my side of the family that I know of has had diabetes. I have eaten a lot of sugary treats but it doesn’t affect my blood sugar in a negative way.  My game plan for sugar control is not total abstinence, but moderation. I almost never buy snacks with sugar anymore, but if there’s free stuff at work or church, Im down for it .  Even then, I don’t gorge myself with them. I’ve even cut way back on the sweet tea… and that says a lot !

Excess sodium is a bigger problem for me, and I watch that very carefully!

Im glad you are seeing good results from that Koz.   Here’s to healthy eating!