The 'Towards a Sugar-Free Future' Challenge

Honey_Bear

Well done on staying off the RTs first thing Flower.  That takes self-discipline and they are very tempting biscuits so I'm impressed that you've managed to resist.  Small victories absolutely must be celebrated because this isn't something that we can go cold turkey on, it's something that we can only do gradually.  Every single account I've read of people giving up sugar completely overnight has had horrendous withdrawal headaches that last for days.  I don't regard that as intelligent - putting oneself through pain when it's unnecessary is pretty stupid imho.  Far better to do it gradually and let the body get used to living on a bit less sugar over the course of a few weeks, or months.

I'm so sorry your son didn't get into Oxford, especially as he'd set his heart on it and the interview went well.  I hope it doesn't knock his confidence and that he has a strong second choice.  Once he gets over the disappointment and starts wherever he goes I hope he thoroughly enjoys it.  In the circumstances I can totally understand how the Emergency Chocolate was devoured - I'd have done the same. 

This Challenge sometimes comes down to realising how much we value chocolate as a comfort food.  Just having that knowledge is helpful and will lead on to better things, but for the time being the priority is making sure your son is okay, isn't it.

By the way, that's some OH you've got there, actually stashing some Emergency Chocolate for you, and knowing when to administer it!

~FlowerPot~

Thank you @Honey_Bear , yes OH is a keeper and he knows me well!!

Tomorrow's another day and hopefully DS will bounce back and take a look at his other choices, he was so gutted, and we had all hoped he would get a place because he wanted it so much. hoo hum!

And tomorrow I am determined to go back to 2 snacks, if i can keep that up for a good while, then I can step up and go further!!

cookie02

Well done on your restraint, Flowers - every sugar-free meal/snack is a little victory 🏅.  Sorry your son didn't get his first choice but well done to him for making it to and through the interview and I hope he will be very happy with whatever he chooses next.  

Good to hear that your ankle is improving, Honey_Bear.  I hope the appointment goes well for you on Thursday.  Congratulations on your 2nd sugar-free day yesterday!  I checked my spreadsheet and you're right that I did manage a couple of sugar-free days last January but they were soon obliterated by sugar and then I struggled a lot with getting back on track, which is why I remember it as being March/April before I finally got a bit better.  That was also why I really tried to enjoy Christmas and New Year without going sugar-crazy as I was afraid I would have a repeat of 2022.  

I had some major sugar cravings all afternoon so I had half a slice of fruit loaf toasted earlier (thanks for the idea, Making). I'm currently trying to decide whether to have the other half now or whether to just eat the chocolate that I've been dreaming about!  

Pollybear and Morning_walker, how are you doing?  

Honey_Bear

Well done Cookie.  Toasted fruit loaf - yum.  Good c

Pleasingly, I'm able to report a second sugarfree day today, so that's two in a row.  I was mildly tempted by Belovéd's offer of cake at 4.00pm but I settled for hummus and oatcakes and that was the end of the temptation.  I'm very surprised by how straightforward it was, although I did have one of those datebars in the morning when I got peckish while out and about.

cookie02

Well done on your 2nd sugar-free day and for turning down the cake, Honey_Bear!  I managed yesterday but today is proving difficult.  I've been dreaming of chocolate since this morning.  This is really unusual for me as my sugar cravings tend to hit in the afternoon.  I tried a mini cheese and half a slice of fruit loaf but my cravings are still there.  I would love to get through today sugar-free so I might try and have a couple of dates later. I know that will give me more dried fruit but it will be healthier than processed sugar.  

Makingabobor2

Well I failed today....bought plenty of tea cakes for toasting and put some in freezer, then fancied some chocolate and had couple of squares..... Really cross with myself as I was doing well on the protein today as well, onwards and upwards tomorrow. 

cookie02

Onwards and upwards is definitely the right way, Making!  As long as you enjoyed the squares of chocolate, that's what counts. Just remember how much progress you've already made and will continue to make.  

Yesterday, the sugar gremlins were screaming at me but I really, really wanted to get that 3rd sugar-free day and I made it (just!).  I'd decided to give myself one sugary treat today as I was due to meet a friend for coffee.  I picked a delicious-looking cake.  Oh how I was fooled... It was the driest cake ever, the icing had a very artificial caramel taste and I didn't enjoy it at all.  I hate wasting food but I think I should have just left it as it was horrible.  This cake was from a very nice cafe that we've been to before and where we've had some lovely cakes in the past so we were both really disappointed.  I'm not sure if they were having a bad day or if the standards have dropped since we last visited.  That slice of cake was £4.50 and it was a big reminder to me of how much money I must have wasted on sugar over the years  .  

Makingabobor2

You should start a savinga pot @cookie02 & put the money in every time you don't have a cake. At that price you'd be rich quite soon.  In fact that's a good idea....if I work out how much each square of chocolate costs & put money in a savings pot every day I don't have any.   It might encourage me more. Then every month I could treat myself to something not edible...

Honey_Bear

How incredibly frustrating Cookie to look forward to a treat after being so self-controlled for three days, only to find that it was vile.  I would have wept.  Massively well done on the three days though at this time of year, so soon after the feasting of December and Christmas.

Making's got a very good point with the idea of a savings pot where all the quids that we would have spent on sugary things can rest on their laurels until a suitable excuse to celebrate our achievements can be indulged.  I think I might have a ponder on how to do that in a way that wouldn't feel too contrived and complicated.  At my worst I was eating a 200g bar of chocolate every day, so that might be a good place to start, because I think they cost about £1.70 or so at the moment, so for every one I don't buy I might set some cash aside in a pot.  *doffs thinking cap*

I made it through Wednesday quite happily and made it through most of today without sugar but had a dessert tonight.  I made Belovéd an apple crumble with blackberries and ginger a few days ago, and we happened to have both cream and vanilla custard in the fridge that needed finishing - so we did.  For my first week back on this sugarfree thing three complete days is a lot better than I thought it would be so I'm happy with that.  I don't intend to go mad over the next three days, either.

cookie02

That is a great idea, @Makingabobor2, thank you!  I am definitely going to set up a savings pot and track this.  I think I'm going to include any chocolate or sweet that I steer clear of buying when I'm out.  I also like your idea of having a 'baseline' amount, Honey_Bear.  In my case, that would probably be the money I used to spend on multiple syrupy coffees each day when I'd go out for meetings etc.  I will have to figure out a number and decide how to do this but I'm quite excited about it!

Well done on achieving three days in a row this week, Honey_Bear! 🏅 

Today, I'm looking forward to a treat this evening and I plan to enjoy the weekend but with some self-restraint so that next week is manageable.  I hope everyone has been having a good week and that you've been meeting your goals.  And, if you haven't, just remember that's normal too - don't give up, the key really is to keep getting back to the challenge and trying again at the next meal or on the next day.  Good luck, everyone!