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?

My partner attempted to make me a sugar free cake with sugar free icing today. Edible but needs refining lol.

That was really kind of your partner ❤️

Ladies I need help, I am so so bored of my usual meals. I get like this sometimes and crave the sugary things, currently not let myself give in to the tubs of fudge my mum helpfully gave me last time I visited.

Lots of options in the house, although not as many as usual as I'm running the fridge and freezer down before holiday. However there are still wraps, eggs, freezer beige, cheese and quick things like noodles. I just feel so bloody uninspired.

Have you tried putting a layer of kale on a baking tray, drizzled with sesame oil and with some sea salt on, in the oven (has mark 5) for about 10 mins till crispy?

Always jazzes up a dinner for me.

Or roast parsnips when they’re in season.

Yum!

As a snack, olives and/or the mixed salted nuts from M&S.

*gas

I'm not sure about kale but that sound's like it will come out like crispy 'seaweed' so will give it a go!

I’m also enjoying mashed banana on rice cake under the grill with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

How is everyone doing? Sorry if I’ve missed anyone. I’m ok. Overdid it a few days ago physically and am still recovering. Finding today hard to stay off the sugary food but managed so far. Reading Russell Brand’s book on Recovery (Freedom from our Addictions) which is full of wisdom.

Feeling a bit rudderless, aimless and alone today so just reaching out on this thread to see how you are getting on today.

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Hi @Stones123

Sending a squeeze. I’m doing 16/8 (basically skipping breakfast), shunning all sweet things and keeping an eye on calories. I’ve been sugar-free since April, apart from the odd glass of wine. I’m just determined to get below 10 stone, and then stay there forever.

(I did feel a bit sad last week on a beach holiday with no ice cream 🍦 )

Oh and zero snacking! 2 meals per day (the odd breakfast) and That’s It.

I have been looking after my young granddaughter these past 2 weeks, and she loves icecream and grapes......... so I've had some as well, unfortunately.

It is amazing how quickly the sugar ropes one in - already I am getting very frequent cravings. Which just goes to show that the only way to curb the addiction is to stop having sugar and sugar alternatives altogether.

Thanks for the replies. Thanks for the squeeze, @TheOutlaws . It sounds like you are really committed.

I’ve managed to stick to sugar free for the duration of this thread, thanks to @SugaryTwat for getting me motivated. I started at the beginning of it and still managing to do it (some days - like today - harder than others).

I initially started about 2 years ago but, like you @HabberdasheryAddict, I found that a bit of choc to join in the NYE celebrations with the kids at the start of the year just set me off onto the path of eating all sorts again (like - I think I remember correctly @Billybagpuss I am cutting out other stuff too). So I have had 7 months of wobbling on and off my path. I have now been able to see that for me, the wayward food eating is a coping mechanism and an addictive one at that.

I’m finding this thread is helping me, so thank you everyone.

Hi @Stones123 all good here. I've had a couple days off here and there but I feel I am more in control of the sugar. How are you? Xx

Actually quite pleased I’ve gone a few weeks without crisps or peanuts. So hopefully will be able to keep going.

All OK here food wise, tho going through a horrible time unfortunately which certainly sets off old cravings and habits. Would love to hear some snippets from RBs book.

@mikado1

’It is commonly understood that the opposite of addiction is connection. That in our addictive behaviours we are trying to achieve the connection’.

@Cece92 sounds great. Few days off here and there is fine and very balanced. I have realised I have to totally abstain as it’s addictive for me, but if you don’t need to - that’s great.

@Billybagpuss - yours sounds great too. Do keep checking in if you can. It’s hearing from you all that helps keep me on track.

@mikado1 - sorry to hear about the horrible time you’re having. Holding out a friendly hand for you. You’re not alone. Hope you like the quote above. You’re totally right that rubbish times mean you rely more heavily on old crappy coping mechanisms. I read in a different book, might have been Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power of Now’, that pain (eg the emotional pain of horrible times such as you’re in) can be transformational if we stay conscious and connected. Easy to say, very hard to do but definitely worth the work. So your mind wants to disconnect, to numb but if you can stay connected and conscious (meditation, ‘being’ with the discomfort, yoga etc) this horrible time you’re in could pave the way for a new way living. Sometimes things have to get really bad to wake up to our destructive coping mechanisms.

Thank you, I've heard that before about connection and it is so valid, as is the rest of the tips from ET. Thank you for your kindness.

I listen to the podcast today and they said - if sugar is in the four ingredients of the product, consider it a dessert. Best steak to steel cut oats, egg, and whole grain toast or no toast. Try some smashed chickpea salad with everything you can find in the fridge for lunch, it's delicious and easy to make and will fill you up ! :)