will cutting out sugar do anything

[Doublebubblebubble]

I've just decided that today is the day I actually do something with regard to my weight... I'm 5"7 and most definitely overweight. I had my son 13 weeks ago and whilst I understand its 9 months on 9 months off I'm finding it difficult to look at myself... Im bf but that having little to no effect on my weight. Anyway my biggest vice by far is sugar... Sugar in and on everything (where sugar isn't appropriate salt is).. If I were to cut sugar out completely would I see an effect quickly?? X

Yes IME! For the last two weeks I've cut out refined sugar except one little treat on a Saturday. I've also ditched processed carbs like bread, pasta and potatoes mostly, filling up on veg instead with the odd sweet potato or serving of quinoa (which I really like). I haven't craved sweet stuff at all - there was cake at work and I didn't even fancy a bite - very unusual for me. I have been working out as well but it's taken my post-Xmas stomach bloat right down and better still, feels really sustainable and enjoyable. I eat plenty of fat - meat, avocados, mayonnaise, cheese, fish etc so am not feeling hungry and even better avoid the sugar highs and lows that used to have me ravenous.

I've been logging on myfitnesspal but not following any sort of program. Some people cut out fruit but I didn't want to do that.

I couldn't live without fruit. Not sure how yo cut out cheese either x I'm going to be joining a mother and baby walk thing. Just glad to hear from another person that it works lol x

I've cut out sugar, in terms of no Coke, sugar free blackcurrant and apple juice, only one chocolate bar a week, 1 sweetener tab instead of a spoon of sugar..... you get the picture.

My tummy bloating has gone, I've lost 2 1/2 lbs in two weeks and no headaches/highs/crashes.

I'm using myfitnesspal to log and the nutritional info on there is really helpful. See at a glance where I'm missing nutrients, and hammering home the point of "empty" calories.

With the exception of 2 teaspoons in my coffee, I've cut out sugar, carbs and fruit and lost 14 lbs in 8 weeks.

Wow! Brian, Kelsoooo, and thefitfatty you're all doing so well. I'm going to give this a really really good go!! X

Yes! I left fruit in but don't fall for the Deliciously Ella stuff about replacing sugar with honey/whizzed up dates etc. It's still sugar. You do need to cut out the alcohol though as that's basically sugar too

I lost 2 st and stopped craving as much sweet stuff. My Fitness Pal really heps understand portion size and how much sugar (empty calories) there is in all sorts of things.

I read Fat Chance by Dr Lustig and became slightly obsessed. He was fine with all fruit except smoothies, dried fruit and grapes - not enough fibre to counteract the sugar.

Then my DH moved in and wanted pudding and weight loss stopped but I'm still 2 st lighter than I was. And I didn't give up any other carbs.

Oh I should say, since I'm doing low carb/high fat I put full fat whipping cream and coconut milk in my coffee (I like it sweet and creamy) and I try to use coconut milk for sweetening everywhere. And I do eat strawberries, blueberries and raspberries (with loads of whipped cream) twice a week, but no other fruit. :) And dark chocolate occasionally.

Are you actually saying that if I were to get a coffee from costa as long as it was skinny with no sugar I could still have squirty cream (or did I read that wrong) I lovvvvvvvveeeesss the squirty cream! X

I think the key for me is that it isn't difficult or any work. In fact cooking is easier without making carbs! Piece of fish, meat or chicken, some veg...easy. Because you have no sugar cravings giving it up is very easy indeed. I have cream in my coffee too, delicious.

I'm not really trying to lose weight as such so I thought fruit would be fine. I don't have dried fruit though, smoothies or anything like that which I feel would just give me a sugar burst. I only have plain, full fat yoghurt too, maybe with berries. No honey.

Unfortunately the squirty cream at Costa has sugar added into it. :( (you can ask if they have without though). However if you buy whipping cream from the grocery it doesn't have added sugar and you can put that in your coffee. It's AMAZING.

However depending on what diet you're doing you may be better off doing full fat milk...

And I would definitely class myself as having a sweet tooth! I'm very familiar with the post-baby sugar cycle where you grab something sweet and/or carby for quick energy. It's easy to break though.

I eat a lot of apples and grapes, which are both high in sugar content...but also the only fruit I like....so today I'll eat two apples (one was for breakfast, the other when I get home).

It's about not being totally restrictive. Not to begin with at least. If I eat chocolate, I only eat dark 85% or above. Because I can only eat a square or two before I feel satiated. So I'm still having chocolate, but instead of hte family size bar of dairy milk....

Agree with Brian my cooking actually got easier when I gave up carbs!

Also, if you do use MFP to log...there is a whole "behind the scenes" side that I didn't discover til I logged on on my PC one day...forums and friends waiting to help and motivate you.

Some of the people I have on there are really really good. Like I comfort eat, boredom eat and stress eat...so as soon as I post a status saying "bored at work" one or two will instantly start chatting with me to give me something to do. Which is really really helpful.

I completely stopped eating sugar 9 months ago and it hasn't really had any effect on me at all. I used to eat lots of sugar and I would crave it all the time. I only eat a bit of fruit now (less than 1 piece a day), nothing else with sugar in, no honey or anything. I don't drink any alcohol, and I didn't before I gave up sugar. I haven't lost any weight at all. I do quite a lot of exercise still as I always have, that hasn't dropped. I do have some weight to loose, at least a stone.

The only improvement I can really notice is that I feel a tiny bit healthier as I never get heartburn anymore which I did from time-to-time before. I would say I am eating slightly less calories than I did before, as I still eat to appetite, but it hasn't made any difference. I think the only way for me to loose weight is to drop calories significantly but I hate being hungry all the time so I'd rather be a bit chubby than miserable.

If you are young giving up sugar might have more of an effect on you.

Gah!

I will definitely ask though.. I'm on mat leave atm so I spend most days everyday in costa (I know, I know)

I dont know where to start with regard to what diet to go on.. I love fish, I LOVE veg (I was a vegetarian for 13 years) I love lean meat... What works best for a lazy 28 year old who likes everything... X

Well you might be able to have the squirty cream - but you might not crave it so much in the sugar free form anyway

And once you've discovered that you don't like it so much once you aren't tricked into having it by added sugar, you might not want it.

Or you might like the sugar free version but this isn't a free ride to eat as much as you like just as long as it doesn't have sugar in it So you might keep it but something else has to go to make way for it.

If you only have so many calories to use per day, you might begrudge the calories on that squirty cream. Or not.

I expect you won't like it without the secret sugar though.

What worked for me was not doing 'a diet'

I just did MFP. Fish, veg, lean meat. Easy - make a meal, weigh it out, log on MFP - stand back in shock that all your portion sizes are way off! Normal breakfast, MFP portion sizes. Sandwiches for lunch like I always did, lots of fruit and veg for snacks, MFP for a few weeks and then it's easy. BBC Good Food site is good for recipes with calories on - be aware you will prob always make yours a bit bigger.

For most people calorie counting works best. I did WW for awhile and lost 50 lbs. However, as someone whose had eating disorders in the past, I can't do calorie counting or point counting for too long till I get competitive with myself to cut more and more and more, and then that backfires.

Low carb/high fat has worked for me because I don't have to calorie count. I just feel fuller easier and don't eat as much.

I don't eat sugar, works for me cause i could never just have one biscuit, one chocolate, i'd eat loads. So having none is just easier. I also don't eat too much fruit.

www.prima.co.uk/diet-and-health/diet-plans/a21123/harcombe-diet/

This is fairly low carb, but mainly you don't mix carbs and protein in the same meal. It's not hard at all (especially now supermarkets are selling cauliflower rice and courgette pasta etc).

It also knocks your sugar cravings for six.

I did the 5 day detox for 10 days and have never felt better. Sugar cravings can be a sign of candida (thrush).

Cutting out a food group is the easiest - it why you see people cutting out carbs etc. It's not that carbs are the devil it's just an easy way to adjust your diet and put more veg in. When you shop you don't go in that aisle.

Especially if like me you can't have one biscuit, you have to have a packet.

It's easier for me to just not do those products at all. However there is sooo much hidden sugar in processed foods it's hard to avoid. Plus things like yoghurts and juices look healthy and aren't really due to sugar content.

I'm quite happy just cutting out sugar and carbs may go tomorrow (need to go shopping first) my question is would I be able to maintain breastfeeding On a no carb diet.. If it is possible I will cut out I not then I cant... (I'm really very naive about dieting when I had my DD all of my baby weight melted through breastfeeding... This time it is very stubborn (probably down to the fact I was eating a trifle a day at the end - I went 12 days late and was utterly fed up)) before pregnancy I was an 8-10 after DD I was a 10-12 now I'm a 16 18 something has to be done!!

Personally I wouldn't set yourself up to fail. Cutting out some cake - fine. Struggling with breastfeeding - not fine. You can lose the weight later.

Your body can handle carbs. It's the fructose in the sugar it struggles with. Don't make yourself miserable while you are working hard.

If you buy cauliflower rice you deserve to be shot.

All it takes is a grater and a cauliflower....less than 2 minutes to great a full head of cauliflower.