I'm going sugar free for seven days, anyone up for giving it a go?

[SugaryTwat]

I'm only committing to seven days initially because if I went for more, I know I'd sulk and give up really quickly 😁

But seven days is do-able: Long enough to have a good shot at it, short enough that it's not daunting.

I'm not going insane. I'll still have sweeteners, just not sugary or sugary things. For me this will mean giving up:

• Sweet cereal in the morning
• Mid-morning chocolate biscuits
• Chocolate bar after lunch
• Mid-afternoon sweets
• Chocolate bar after evening meal

I'm aiming to replace sugary puddings with fruit and snacks with nuts.

Anyone up for giving it a try?

This is fab to hear, well done!

Thank you! How are you getting on?

Day 3 here we gooooo!!

Good, thanks. No sugary snacks or puddings for two and a half days now.

I miss the routine mostly - morning brew with a few biscuits for example. But I'm getting over the key hump moments in the day by either eating something different or just ignoring them until they pass.

@SugaryTwat Brilliant!

I've found some cheeze flavour cornflakes and having one if thise when I really want sugar/biscuits is helping. I have a terrible headache but hopefully that will pass soon. Did you get your PB yesterday?

@Tontostitis I'm sorry, what now... cheeze cornflakes? Please explain!

Yep, got my PB yesterday - managed to dead lift twice my body weight 😊That'd usually call for a ginger bread man, and champagne at the weekend but I'm resisting.
In a couple of weeks, I'm going for another PB on a different exercise so maybe I'll have ginger bread and champagne after that one!

Yes, your headache will totally go once your body gets used to it. Some people find drinking water helps to flush things through.

Corncakes bloody spellcheck

Sticking to it here too! I did an exercise class this evening and managed to forgo adding any sugar or honey to a bowl of shredded wheat afterwards, which I didn’t think was possible (sugary cereals are a mega weakness of mine).

And weirdly they actually tasted sweet despite that! It was either the lactose in the milk or an illusion created by my brain because it was tricked into thinking I was eating raisin wheats. Either way, happy days!

@Tontostitis how strict are you being? I'm not having a headache or anything like that and although it's a good thing, I'm thinking it's probably because I'm not doing enough, e.g. I'm still having carbs and the odd piece of fruit. Should I cut this out to get myself properly detoxed?

Ì gave up sucrose completely in April last year because I was told that it exacerbates eczema and my eczema was very bad at the time. Oddly, because the itching was so miserable I didn't find sugar hard to give up. At the time I was eating far too many treats, biscuits with every cup of tea, puddings with custard, ice cream, chocolate, sugar on breakfast cereal, coffee and cake when I met friends, so much sugar! And I liked baking and eating the results. I was addicted.
I stopped completely but still eat carbs and fresh fruit, though I did stop drinking fruit juice. And it worked! My eczema is 90% reduced, no more miserable nights laying awake itching. Losing weight has been a bonus too.
Previously I'd given up sugar for Lent or other short periods and always longed for the day I could resume my sugar consumption. Now I just don't feel tempted. I did think I would eat normally between Christmas and New year but had to stop the sugar after 3 days when the rash started again.
Giving up is definitely doable. And worth it for the health benefits. Good luck all of you!

@Tontostitis Corncakes 😂 😂 😂 That makes a lot more sense!!

@Quinque Thanks for sharing and well done on giving up!

Day four people!
Bran flakes this morning.
I bought some tomato and jalapeno sourdough bread yesterday which I'll have for lunch with some cheese
No idea about tea, waiting for DP to decide what he wants to defrost from the freezer.

Let's smash it!

@SugaryTwat well done on a great start to Day 4!

I’m going to need some encouragement on this board today if anyone sees this and can be arsed.

Perimenopausal, period late, very ‘due on’ feeling and heavy/emotional, having work stresses and teenager stresses simultaneously today. Things are coming to a head, which could be because of my stage in my cycle (wobbly cycle).

So I’m really feeling like reaching for chocolate as a solace and comfort today. I’ve resisted so far but it’s only 10:30am! 😅

I would love to get through day 4. 🤞

@Stones123 God, it sounds like you've got a horrible day coming up.

I really think you should be kind to yourself. It doesn't have to be sugar-y treats. If you're not going too hard, you could get some nice fruit or a bag of dirty crisps. Or a sugar-free soft drink. It doesn't have to be food-related though.

How about getting yourself a bunch of flowers because you deserve it? Or seeing what you can get for £15 on Vinted? Or some nice body/bath shit if you're into that? Or how about a walk somewhere lovely? Or a swim?

You can do this! Why not try taking the day one hour at a time, rather than seeing it all stretched out in front

Well, you’ve just made me cry, which is probably what I needed. Thank you and bless you @SugaryTwat for all that kindness. A bunch of flowers 💐 really speaks to me. Thank you again!

Just re-read and chopping the day into hours sounds a good plan too.

When the sugar craving start, as long as you’re not intolerant/allergic, eat a banana.

Everyone I know who cuts back swears it really works. Haven’t tried myself as I’m allergic and just push through using various distractions.

And yea do this hour by hour. It’s like any addiction, to begin with hour by hour and eventually day by day.

@Stones123 if you cannot find a jacuzzi and steam room (I found these wonderful for the pains) then bubble bath and candles at home. Depending how hot you are, a hot water bottle. Some meditation or stretches.

The teen honestly ignore them for the day. Give them something that they can self reflect on. Tell them you really aren’t well, and if needed why.

You’ve managed 4 days 👏🏻 and this is the hardest day when cutting out anything. You’re already through a big chunk of the day.

I'm definitely finding today the hardest day, is that a thing? I'm having quite an easy day but the craving is real!! I've already had a banana so just need to power through...

@Namesecrets One hour at a time.

@Stones123 How's your day going? I hope things have gotten better for you.

@Roundandnour Thank you too! Teenager back from school so will see how this evening goes.

@SugaryTwat Going ok so far. Just woken up from an impromptu nap on the sofa by the big kids coming home. And bought myself some flowers 💐 at the co op reduced to about 3 quid, whilst buying tonight’s tea, so I’ve treated myself.

Still no sugar thankfully. Thanks again to you both for getting me through the day. Just a few more hours to go.

How’s everyone else doing?

Checking in for Day 5.

Thanks for all your help yesterday on this thread. I made it through, despite the temptation of DD age 9 making choc buns for pudding for everyone.

Flowers on display making me feel cared for.

Teenager was much better yesterday and we got on really well. Still no sign of period so another day of feeling due on ahead but feel calm today so I think I can smash day 5 out of the park.

How’s everyone else doing?

Sorry for the late check-in, been a mad day at work so far.

@Stones123 I’m glad things are okay and I’m pleased you treated yourself to flowers. All going well here – bran flakes for breakfast, some pesto pasta for lunch (not nice at all, very disappointing), fish and cous cous salad for tea later.

I’m proud of how well I’ve done so far.

Tomorrow morning I have a PT session so will need to be super strong after that!

@SugaryTwat - do you like peas? I find throwing them in with pasta pesto peps it up a touch. But not if you don’t like peas! 😂

Well done for getting this far.

Good luck tomorrow!! You’ve got this!

Day 6 people!

How did your session go this morning @SugaryTwat?

Had a lovely glass of Pinot after yoga whilst waiting for my husband today but other than that, and I'm not really counting it as sugar anyway tbh, I've done 6 days now. The headache has finally gone I'm 3lbs down and aiming to stay biscuit, cake etc free for another week now. I did have a tablespoon of baked beans but all my other food has been really clean.