The 'Towards a Sugar-Free Future' Challenge

in_need_of_direction

Hello, just stumbled across this thread and would like to join.  I am a complete sugar addict which has resulted in my 12 year old type 2 diabetes diagnosis. In theory, I am not a stupid person and should be able to manage my condition by cutting out sugary stuff. That fact that I take multiple meds and have various associated health concerns is clear evidence that this isn’t happening. I could also benefit significantly from weight loss.  Even while reading, I was thinking, I could start the one day a week from September.  Why am I putting it off? 

So, my plan is to start with a Wednesday from this week and take it from there. That’ll give me time to stock up on the headache tablets.

Honey_Bear

Welcome, In Need of Direction!  I really, really hope that you don't find the need for any headache tablets by just avoiding added sugar on one day a week, and if you do find yourself having withdrawal then I'd have thought a tangerine or two, or even a handful of grapes (which are particularly high in sugar apparently) would up the blood sugar levels really quickly without contributing to encouraging our shared addiction for the processed stuff.

I'm trying to educate myself along the lines that you're alluding to - none of us is stupid, but we're all told by the sugar producers that the problem is a lack of willpower on our part and we're therefore just weak.  I don't believe that any more and am beginning to subscribe to the theory that sugar is the new nicotine - the producers and sellers all collaborate to ensure our consumption increases, while knowing perfectly well, without a shadow of doubt, that it's really, really bad for us.  While they're increasing their profits why should they care seems to be their approach.

I acknowledge that I am a sugar addict, and that cold turkey hasn't worked for me for the past 15 years, so this approach is well worth a try.  So far, I've managed two Mondays and I'm hoping I can manage a third tomorrow and even more importantly for me, I've managed to stop myself bingeing on the other six days a week because I'm so conscious that I want to be able to do this. 

YouTube has a lot of videos made by people who have given up sugar entirely (which I doubt I ever will) and a lot of videos on the insidiousness of sugar in our diets.  I've been watching them and it's helped me realise that I'm definitely not alone with this unease about my consumption, and the impact on our health. 

The very best of luck with it, and let us know how it goes.  I'll be rooting for you on Wednesday, and if I indulge tomorrow despite my best intentions, I'll be joining you then.

Honey_Bear

I really can be very slow at times.  Over breakfast I suddenly realised that rather than struggle with tomorrow being a sugar-free day when I'm expecting to be bored and a bit stressed, I've made today the sugar-free day instead.  That gets it out of the way, and means I can have the two brownies left that I was saving for teatime today tomorrow instead.  

Goodness it takes me along time to recognise the obvious!

astrocytic_kitten

I’m watching this thread with interest but not quite sure if I’m ready to commit to sugar free days yet! I don’t do well with restriction as it just makes me binge….but my sugar consumption has definitely been sneaking upwards lately and I’d like to cut it down. So much of what you’ve said I could have written myself @Honey_Bear.

Honey_Bear

This is going to be a very, very slow burn, Astrocytic Kitten.  I don't do well when other people impose restrictions on me and the sugar nazis all insist that all sugar, even in tomato ketchup and mayonaise is what's doing the damage.  I understand full well where they're coming from but that's not realistic for me, so I'm not going to waste my time thinking that's what I should be doing.

Years ago I cut out added sugar completely for about 10 years and didn't even give it a second thought after the first few weeks.  Then life happened, I stopped smoking, I stopped drinking and sugar's been my go to instant pleasure for at least seven years, but in all honesty I think I was probably eating too much of it for at least seven years before that. 

I need to do this because I can't stand the extra wodge of me that I'm carting around, and I do worry that my weight is creeping up albeit very slowly, but as we get older our metabolism slows down and while I'm not a couch potato I can't pretend this is going to be solved by exercise.  So, I've got little choice and I'm not unhappy about my personal solution but I wouldn't for a second think it would be the right one for anyone who doesn't want to join in.   

astrocytic_kitten

I’ve also successfully gone added sugar free for years before, and I do need to cut down for all the reasons you’ve said, I’m just not sure if I can yet. I’ll likely lurk here and watch everyone else be successful before I decide to dip a toe in myself 😂

Jazee

Had a small profiterole dessert tonight as DH reminded me it was still in the fridge after a fortnight and would soon be going out of date.

Honey_Bear

What a lovely leftover to have to finish up, Jazee.  I love profiteroles.

I managed a sugar-free day yesterday without much angst and today I did scoff the last two brownies I'd set aside for my first travelling day but didn't need anything else sugary.  I'm rather chuffed with that. 

Jazee

Well done HB.  I'm off to bed soon so can safely say today has been a sugar free/snack free day.  DH can't quite believe the amount of fruit I'm eating!

leftatthetrafficlights

Sugar free day today 😊 I've been so busy I haven't had time to think about having anything sugary anyway! 🙈 dinner is already sorted and I'm having an early night as I'm shattered!