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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be impressed by this woman's diet?

128 replies

ComingUpTrumps · 29/05/2017 17:25

Sorry about the Daily Mail link!

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4550978/Carolyn-Hartz-reveals-secrets-amazing-body.html.

This is an article about someone who gave up sugar almost 30 years ago. Her diet/general lifestyle seems pretty good to me. What do you all think?

PS disclaimer I'm definitely not her and this isn't a sneaky stealth boast! Grin

OP posts:
ComingUpTrumps · 29/05/2017 17:59

MrTumble Grin very true! I can't really stand those people either. I think having cake and pastries once in a while (proper cake, not 'healthy', low-fat, low-sugar versions) is best.

I read something about Mary Berry a few months ago, who also looks amazing for her age. She said how important it is to have everything in moderation, and she eats very healthily. It seems as if she has tiny portions though! Shock

OP posts:
ComingUpTrumps · 29/05/2017 18:00

She's 70 ImAQueen

OP posts:
BahHumbygge · 29/05/2017 18:01

That article sounds like an advertorial for that Sweetlife stuff Hmm

I've pretty much given up sugar now, been consciously cutting down for 2 or 3 years now. Even 3 years back I couldn't tolerate the taste of commercial icecream and things like fondant fancies.

I do still eat the occasional sweet thing, and I still have the compulsion to over eat once I start... the fructose is super addictive. Weekend before last I had 4 GF cookies, and I actually felt drunk afterwards... not in the nice happy tipsy sense, but woozy and intoxicated. Didn't enjoy it at all. Taste buds have definitely taken another leap away from sweet tastes. Currently doing low carb boot camp and gagging for strawberries, but I don't think I could go back to eating anything sweeter.

I've educated myself on sugar by watching 'That Sugar Film', Robert Lustig's talks on youtube and read David Gillespie's books on giving up sugar... interestingly he's Australian (along with the makers of That Sugar Film) and I think there's a lot of research and awareness coming out of Australia about how it's sugar that's responsible for fucking up our bodies, metabolisms and appetite control systems.

Auchan · 29/05/2017 18:07

The first two weeks were tough. It was proper withdrawal. Once I came out the other side it was easy. It make some I'll when I eat it now and triggers the worst cravings ever. I'm so much healthier without it.

I'm on a ketogenic diet.

Auchan · 29/05/2017 18:10

That was supposed to be "it makes me ill”

witsender · 29/05/2017 18:14

I can't stand sweeteners but like Xylitol, I only use it in drinks though.

travailtotravel · 29/05/2017 18:15

I am a complete skeptic about substitutes and would rather have the real thing in moderation, then i got a diabetes diagnosis. So I am trying Zylitol out as it does not spike my blood sugar at all - but then again it also tastes like shite and has, err, other impacts ...

TheWeeBabySeamus1 · 29/05/2017 18:18

That was just an ad for her sweet life company (they sell xylitol products) rather than an article.

No doubt she looks good, but I'll eat my own hat if it's purely down to using sweeteners.

Cherryflamingo · 29/05/2017 18:20

She's had so much work done her face doesn't move. I don't think she looks great at all. I'd rather eat sugar and grow old naturally!

user1492692527 · 29/05/2017 18:22

That looks to me like it's been Photoshopped. Her right arm seems to have odd angles and the bikini top doesn't look right.

user1492692527 · 29/05/2017 18:23

*the top picture that is. Not sure about the second one

Hulder · 29/05/2017 18:24

Curlywurly if you look on the low carb forums there are a lot of people who have cut out sugar or gone no sugar and low carb for things like the blood sugar diet. Personally I think it's easier to cut out starchy carbs at the same time - then once you've done it, only reintroduce then gradually and as wholegrains as the carbs will also kick off cravings like the sugar does.

The first week is absolutely bloody awful. Your insulin levels are high and your body screams at you 'I am starving to death! Eat carbs! Eat sugar! Curl up in a ball and don't move!' You need to drink masses of water as your vagus nerve kicks in and tries to make you faint, having been overstimulated by all the insulin.

However after week 1 your insulin levels return to normal and your body discovers that you aren't starving to death, you can work perfectly normally and you just become a normal amount hungry before each meal, instead of thinking that you are ravenous and NEED FOOD, which is what I was like before giving up.

You also get a lot more energy as now your insulin levels have returned to normal, your body is telling you 'I have enough energy now, just eat enough at each meal, it is OK to do some exercise, I have what I need'.

It's the first week that is the killer - after that it's weird how you can eat much less than before and have double the energy. It's also staggering to discover how much of what you eat is driven by hormones.

YouTheCat · 29/05/2017 18:29

Artificial sweeteners are shit.

You'd be better off with unrefined sugar in small quantities.

Moonshine86 · 29/05/2017 18:29

I gave up for one month and it is the only time that I have ever noticed losing weight.

Will re start this tomorrow... Holiday 6 weeks away!

Ariawyn · 29/05/2017 18:38

that 'cake' looks underdone and stodgy

deplorabelle · 29/05/2017 18:38

Just because it SAYS she eats some diet or other (I don't know what as I won't open a Fail link) doesn't mean that's what she actually does.

Most photos are airbrushed, everyone self-reports a much healthier diet than they actually have and newspapers are often quite casual with the truth when reporting women's ages so I'd say if this article ISN'T bollocks that's only coincidental.

deplorabelle · 29/05/2017 18:39

Reducing sugar is a good thing though

Hulder · 29/05/2017 18:47

She does do a lot of things that help reduce cravings for sugar and excess food - even though the whole article is shilling for xylitol.

Article runs through eating slowly - gives your gut time to release hormones that tell your brain you are full, cutting out sugar - reduces insulin levels so reduces your appetite and increases energy levels, she eats a fairly high protein diet including breakfast - again tellingyour body your are full, eats loads of fibre - helps you feel full and improves your gut bacteria, sleeps properly - again important for gut hormones. And she does a lot of exercise.

So she is basically doing the full ticket of things proven to help you lose weight on a low carb, low sugar diet and improve gut health and keep appetite low.

Having a bit of xylitol is not her answer, sadly. Although I'm sure she makes a lot of cash selling it as eating sugar free cake is a lot easier than doing all the other stuff.

SparklyUnicornPoo · 29/05/2017 18:55

I very much doubt that her body is down to using sweeteners. Grandmama had a body like that right up til she died in her 80's and we often walked to the cake shop for chocolate eclairs. What she did do though was a ridiculous amount of exercise and eat a lot of fruit and veg and only drink water most of the time.

Blerg · 29/05/2017 19:38

Nope. Couldn't get past 'boast bikini body' without rage quitting the link.

I don't eat sugar, generally but I have trickier sticking with it, particularly with Pms. No doubt not eating it makes me feel better. I don't eat any sweeteners though - most are vile or sound dodgy.

SleightOfHand · 29/05/2017 20:13

I agree, she's had plastic surgery and botox. She should be done for false advertising.

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 29/05/2017 20:17

Bloody hell

I have just been to the pub and am now eating M and S treats

I have yet to lose my baby fat

The baby turned 14 today

I wish that was months Sad

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 29/05/2017 20:19

Off to look at the low carb threads

Again

TitsalinaBumSquash · 29/05/2017 20:22

I ha e given up sugar, it's the second time I've done it after great success with the first time, I stupidly went on a 5 month binge of eating everything and got to the point where I was so unwell. I have Elthers Danlos (or Lupus depending on the dr you speak too Hmm) when I'm off sugar I feel amazing, no symptoms, energy, clear head and I lose weight and get my libido back. When I'm on sugar I get foggy headed, fat, farty and chronic pain in all my joints and attractive sores all over my stomach.

I only quit again 2 weeks ago and I'm already feeling much better and half a stone down so despite this woman's advertising, xylitol pushing article, it does work wonders for some people. 👍🏻

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 29/05/2017 20:25

Rufus
I am
Thinking about the scone , toast and pasta I had today too (work travel makes Me crave it )

Sad
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