Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar

[2madboys]

Just wondering if anyone else has done this and fancied a support thread? I started yesterday using the book but haven't signed up to the online plan.

[postmanpatscat]

oif I'm full too...quorn sausages, spuds, veg and gravy, I'd had nothing since lunch at 12.30 and we didn't eat til 8.15, yet I didn't think about food at all in between!

[BreakingBod]

I'm still eating fruit, as David Gillespie explains that the water and fibre content of fruit prevents the natural sugar from impacting too negatively on the body...and it's actually really good for you!

[oif]

The SW book plan suggests going completely cold turkey - including fruit - for 2 or 3 weeks, then adding back fruit slowly. Something to do with letting your body find a new starting point.

However… having tried this for a few days I realised I was eating way more of other random things if I cut out fruit, and it made my diet far too dull, so I've added it back in already. As you say BB it is pretty good for you!

So, heading into week 4 today. I have really sore throat/ears and feel minging this morning - nothing to do with the sugar I don't think, but it is going to make it a lot harder to resist treating myself with a nice slice of cake when I am feeling sorry for myself all day long!

[postmanpatscat]

oif sounds like you're doing well. I've no plans to reintroduce sugar yet (I'm early in week 2 of cold turkey) as I'm not really missing it. It's been good to eat more unprocessed foods and plenty of salads and veg.

I haven't had any cravings, but I am tempted now and again by the goodies still in the kitchen cupboards! I'm steadfastly ignoring them though.

[oif]

thanks ppc. three weeks has gone pretty quickly (not completely without sugar all that time, but very reduced).

I had a chocolate raisin today, as DD gave it to me out of her own, it would have been rude to say no. It tasted weird - chemically, kind of gross. No desire to eat more than one. I don't know if that is tastes changing or just a particularly bad lot of chocolate raisins!

I have been feeling very low in recent days and wondering whether could be some kind of hormonal adjustment (there's all kinds of interactions related to sugar intake, insulin, dopamine and serotonin production aren't there?). Otoh, we have recently moved and feeling a bit isolated so could just be that.

Either way, hope it lifts soon and I move into a place of sugar-free stability and contentedness!

I have been reading this book - enjoyable, light read and good for boosting my motivation. She goes into details about how sugar prematurely ages your skin - I am 32 and several people have assumed I am much older recently - I have lots of fine wrinkles and bags under my eyes. Really really hoping the hype is right and my skin will start looking better too!

[postmanpatscat]

oif I've wondered what that first taste of chocolate will be like. I don't think I'll have any before the end of term in just over three weeks, when I know there will be more than enough available to me! I usually receive several as gifts, plus there will be many more lurking in the staffroom.

Hope you're feeling better soon. I'm a bit fed up too, but DP is away so that's probably why. My sleep has been terrible recently but I doubt it's connected to my diet.

I'm 46 and people tend to say the opposite - that I look like I'm in my 30s! I think it's because I've never smoked or drank alcohol (chocolate was my only vice, so time I came up with a new one!)

[oif]

Thanks ppc - feeling a lot better now. I wish I could say the same (that I've never smoked or drank) but sadly very much not the case!) Still, I haven't smoked now for four years, and drunk next to nothing for the same period, so better late than never to treat my body a bit better!

4 weeks in now and enjoying eating like this a lot, if not really seeing any changes. I feel kind of freed up from the cycle of eating crap I wasn't really sure I wanted and then feeling all sticky-mouthed and overfull and so on. Also means I am cooking a lot more from scratch, and good to see the kids getting into things like grilled salmon and sautéed pumpkin and broccoli; used to always be something nice and starchy on the plate that they would just fill up on and leave the rest.

[postmanpatscat]

oif it's good that your family are eating more healthily too. I have to endure DP sitting beside me on the sofa with a bar of chocolate!

There's a video you might find interesting, it's free to watch until Friday [[http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/28/cereal-killers-movie.aspx?e_cid=20140628Z2_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140628Z2&et_cid=DM47071&et_rid=567241017 cereal killers]

[ShellyW40]

Quit sugar?

I think I would rather quit oxygen!

[postmanpatscat]

oops... cereal killers

Did a better job that time!

[postmanpatscat]

shelly I thought that too, but it's surprisingly easy when you get used to it! I'm not saying never again, just not for a while, and then not on the scale I used to.

[ShellyW40]

You have to cut ALL sugar out? Fructose too?

[postmanpatscat]

Fructose is the worst! It apparently has the biggest impact on your insulin levels, and insulin is also known as the fattening hormone. Sugar/carb intake leads to insulin release, and your body can only store fat in the presence of insulin. Hence the success of low carb diets.

[ShellyW40]

What - so fruit is now bad for me?

I think I shall continue to eat fruit (and refined sugar), as part of a healthy, balanced diet. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would want to undertake such drastic change.

I do hope whoever does this has long-term success though, just not for me!

[postmanpatscat]

No, just eat it in moderation. You can eat all things in moderation, which I freely admit was not the case with me. don't ask me about the whole packet of jaffa cakes in one sitting

[Ahardyfool]

Just reviving this thread to ask about ingredients - where are people purchasing raw cacao and so on. I see it on Amazon but is very dear, I'm guessing that's half the point, i.e. not looking for replacements too much and rather giving the bad things up completely...!

[Ticklemonster897]

Health food shops - local ones but sadly it's not cheap

[ihatethecold]

I bought the book linked above and I think it's a great starting point.
I've also just started weight watchers.
I've decided not to eat processed sugar, white bread, pasta, rice.
Lots more veg and fruit.
I feel so much better already.
Usually by 8pm I'm absolutely shattered.
I won't be eating any weight watchers products though or eating sweeteners/low fat.

[figgieroll]

Ihatetcold - what weekareyou on? I'm week 2 so much less sugar and refined carbs (using stevia for sweetness) and more protein. I was expecting to feel crap but actually apart from lusting after cake in the evenings, I've felt good. Apart from today when i caved and now I feel very weird - buzzy and abit sick and a bit sluggish

[ihatethecold]

I started on Tuesday.
I have seen a huge improvement to my daily ongoing headaches.
I'm not wanting to crawl into bed by 8pm.

I really want to stick to this.
I'm about 1stone over my ideal weight and I think that feeling better and healthier is really worth giving up the sugar for.

[Goldensunnydays81]

I hatethecold how are you finding this? I am about to start!

[ihatethecold]

Good. Haven't had a headache which is quite unbelievable for me.

[ihatethecold]

I'm on a bus. Will type more later

[ihatethecold]

I feel much better.
I do miss chocolate a bit.
I've cut out sugar in my tea which is a miracle.
I have more energy. I'm not having a mid pm slump.
I have lost 6lbs so far which I'm really pleased about.
I am only having complex carbs. So no pasta, rice, white bread.
I am eating fruit still and lots of veggies.

[Goldensunnydays81]

Thank you for the message, that is great on the 6lbs loss!
I hate the energy slump, I usually have it about 7 o'clock!
Are you still eating potatoes? Am going to definitely get rid of the white rice and pasta!
What do you normally have for breakfast?