Giving up sugar for January, maybe longer

[GrumpyOldBag]

I have decided to try giving up sugar.

Anyone else tried this?

I am going to continue eating fresh fruit, but not dried or juice.

No processed foods containing sugar.

And obviously no fizzy drinks - but don't drink those anyway.

Anyone tried doing this? Can I have honey on my porridge?

I think dry wine & vodka OK?

Anyone got any advice to share? Thanks

Hi everyone

I went no sugar on 1st November until Christmas Day and lost about 16-18lbs in that 7 weeks.

I then ate some chocolate on Christmas Day, and after that stuffed my face with it until New Years Day! I put 6lbs on, taking me to 11st.

This taught me that I still can't control myself around sugar. My appetite started swinging about all over the show, I was thinking about sugar all the time, it was eye opening!!

Anyway I've been back off sugar since 1st January and I have lost the 6lbs plus 1 or 2 more I think. I'll weigh on 1st February.

For me giving up sugar just means no obvious sugary food/drink. I have literally just cut out chocolate, biscuits, cakes, ice cream. I don't eat white bread/rice/pasta anyway but continue to eat a lot of the wholemeal variety. I don't eat ready meals but don't avoid baked beans for example (which I know contain sugar), it's about balance for me. I will have a takeaway if I want one, there's only been 1 in January and a couple of meals to restaurants where I'll order whatever I want but no dessert.

Idon't drink alcohol really (3/4 times a year), don't like fizzy drinks, I've always just had sugar free squash or water.

In terms of hot drinks I have 3 coffees a day with 1 stevia sweetener. I like to finish breakfast and lunch with a coffee, that's my new 'I'm done eating' rather than eating something sweet. I have my 3rd coffee about 5pm then workout about 6-7pm and eat my final (big!) meal about 9pm. I know that's late but it works for me at the moment, I workout best in the early evening and like a meal to look forward to.

I try not to snack at all in between meals, just 3 big meals a day. My appetite is regular and I don't obsess about sugar like I used to, I still have the odd craving but I just let it pass quite easily. I don't overeat anymore, my meals are big and fill me up but I'm then not snaffling in the biscuit tin.

I initially gave up sugar because it got to the stage where I was eating a family size fruit and nut every night, plus cakes, biscuits, chocolate, ice cream throughout the day. It was way too much. I felt like a slave to it!

Now I feel free, my stomach is very flat, I'm only 1/2 stone front ideal weight, and my mood is generally good.

I have a few things coming up in February, I qualify in my profession and I turn 30 so I know I shall be eating cake or something. I'm here to stay accountable to the thread then I can just enjoy sugar for a one off and not let it turn into a week and 6lb gain like at Christmas!

I initially thought about trying to go for a full year but then that's having an end in mind. I want to do this forever, I feel good, I look better, I'm healthier, so I've decided that I'm just going to try to just eat sugar on special occasions, and certainly not binge on it.

I'm sure there will be a hiccup or 2 but that's life, as long as in off sugar for 95% of the time I'll be happy and doing myself a favour.

Long post but I had a lot to say I'm going to read through the thread now and see how everyone is doing!

Hello Happyfeet. That's really impressive. I'm either in control or out of control, I was the same when I gave up smoking! Today I've been struggling a bit. I could have killed for a biscuit. I had grapes instead!

Great there are so many people on this thread- I'm certainly planning to continue this after January, I'm hoping it will be normal life from now on.

I've been ill for a whole week and that's normally when I eat whatever my body wants or needs. Sooo I did eat a chocolate cake. I really enjoyed it, but once again I was really aware of the effect sugar has on my body. The sugar come down happened within a few minutes of the sugar rush. Then about two hours later I started getting cravings for my next hit.

Also not had much noticeable weight loss in 3 weeks I've been doing sugar free. But haven't put any weight on, which is good, and face seeming much slimmer.

I'm with you guys! Well done everyone. I have a really sweet tooth and a baby who doesn't sleep. Lethal combo. I had just got into the habit of eating sweets, biscuits, cakes, ice cream etc. For me it's not a weight loss thing as actually the sleep deprivation, breastfeeding and constantly on the go seems to counter the sugar in that respect. It is more the realisation of what it is doing to my body. I had a constant bad taste in my mouth. I am not cutting out fruit but not allowing myself any sweets etc bar a piece of dark choc on the weekend. So far so good though by heck it's hard in the afternoon and the evenings when I am alone.

Weekly weigh in and I'm 1lb down this week putting me at 11s 5lb so 13lbs to go until I am no longer overweight.

Lucked you might find a decent weight loss building up. A couple of weeks ago I was stuck and then the next week I went down 3.5lbs.

I'm going to keep going. I might be become more relaxed with some hidden sugars as time goes on. For me there are so many lovely savoury things that I love and that are "allowed", like cheese and nuts!

We'll done everyone.

This week has been quite hard. My period started today and as usual I had lots of sweet cravings in the few days before. Didn't eat any sugar had a piece of fruit if I really couldn't resist but it was hard!

Hello all! I know I'm a bit late to the party but can I join in?

I decided yesterday to quit sugar (refined - not going to stop eating a bit of fruit). I know I can do it because I quit for Lent last year but didn't really feel any massive health benefits although I have put on quite a bit of weight since then as got all loved up and put on the happy fat

I want to try and cut down on refined wheat as well. My problem is that I've got IBS and loads of really good healthy stuff (chickpeas, beans, oats etc) gives me appalling wind

Lentils are ok and I can switch to rye bread, wholewheat pasta and brown rice but the DC won't be as keen and I'm too busy to cook separately.

I'm also a slave to caffeine but I'm buggered if I can drop that at the same time!! Might try and stick to one coffee in the morning and then tea. I try not to have any caffeine after lunch though.

I think it's not the fruit that is the issue it's all the hidden sugar. Loads of spice mixed have sugar in, sauces, baked beans. That's all added refined sugar. And that messes with your appetite suppressors and makes you feel hungry when you aren't.

Good luck. I stopped having sugar in my tea when I was 13, so a good 11 years ago now. Best thing I ever did.
I couldn't give it up completely though, I love coke and Pepsi, I tried to stop drinking them once but missed it. Plus when I drink spirits I always have coke as my mixer.

Wow - I didn't realise there was such a big 'No Sugar' movement on MN. Well done to everyone who has done this and lost weight.

I've mostly succeeded with a 'No Sugar January' and it's generally been easier than was expecting. Now that I'm four weeks in I think the hardest bit has been having to avoid so many foods that I would normally eat - granola, for instance, honey or jam on my porridge. I've almost slipped up loads of times, just purely out of habit.

Anyway, I've lost 4lbs, which I'm a bit disappointed by really. I've been gluten-free for nearly four years, so many of the foods I see others have given up are already things I don't eat. Tbh I really need to give up snacking, crisps, salted nuts and booze. Those are real downfalls now.

Hello. Can I join please? I started my low sugar (not no sugar) and low carb in the new year. Almost at a stone now which I am obviously very pleased about but today on my weigh in day there has been no change. I think I have been a bit lazy on watching what I eat. I also eat eggs for breakfast most days and I am getting so sick of them. Going to have fruit and yoghurt this morning.
I have 3 more stone to lose in total and really want to make this work. I have found it the easiest diet so far, i think because it is a lifestyle change rather than a diet. I'm not sure how easy it would be to go completely no sugar but I think I am almost there. Hopefully the ideas from this thread helpm me out.
Well done to everyone!

Lamby, what about porridge for breakfast? I am following a clean eating programme at the moment (no refined sugar or carbs, packaged or processed foods) and recently tried porridge after years of refusing to eat it as assumed I wouldn't like it! I make it with whole milk and have a handful of blueberries on it. It's yummy!
I had a sip of my dh''s diet coke yesterday and was surprised by how "chemical" it tasted. Am hoping it's a sign that two weeks into this, my taste buds are changing.
That said, it was a family birthday yesterday and I did have a small slice of birthday cake but I tried to eat it mindfully and slowly rather than just scoffing it down without really noticing. And I did stop after the one, small slice!

Hi dotty!
I love porridge but did wonder about the carb content. I also love weetabix - are they a no go?
I did have a chocolate bar a couple of weeks ago and actually didn't like it - progress!

Weetabix has sugar in. Shredded wheat doesn't. I'm not doing low carb, but ha e porridge with cinnamon and half a banana in. It's yum.

Hello all.

I'm feeling good today. I did my long flight (12hrs overnight) and managed to not have any of the three boxes of chocolate given to the crew and that were left open in the galley. I managed to sit next to the aircraft snack corner from 1am until 4.30am with little to do, without having anything. Previously I'd have eaten loads! Surely I've got to lose weight this week?? My uniform skirt feels really loose, my tummy is flattening. But goodness I've been irritable the last couple of days. Did anyone else get that at a week - ten days in? I don't actually feel as hungry all the time anymore though.

Between days 11 and 14 I wanted to kill everyone. Especially everyone eating sugar.

I was really expecting a sugar crash but 13 days in and.... nothing! Maybe the fruit + odd drizzles of maple syrup on my porridge have been enough to prevent it?

I haven't had a crash or headaches. I've limited to 1-2 pieces of fruit a day and not honey or maple syrup etc. I don't think it's a certain.

I am so tempted today would love be a biscuit with my tea but holding strong. I know if I give in once then my resolve will be weaker every time.

My fat bits feel softer and more jiggly and my belly is down quite a bit, I was actually looking a bit pregnant but it is not as bad now so dressing my shape is already getting a bit easier.

Weigh in tomorrow.

Can I join in too please. Stopped sugar last Monday & already trousers bit looser, face was less puffy after a few days.
I gave up around last May & lost about a stone, tons more energy & was really enjoying gym, swimming etc I remember trying to keep a diary & writing how amazing I felt. Big cravings at first but after a few weeks I didn't miss it at all & even found chocolate tasted weird & unpleasant. I let myself eat whatever I wanted as long as no sugar so was never hungry.

But of course gradually slipped back into sugary ways & I was eating maybe 4 chocolate bars a day plus cake. Sometimes chocolate cake bites at 9am.
I'm definitely all or nothing with it, really hoping to make a life diet change. Teeth are awful from so much sugar & worried about diabetes in the future.
Hopefully checking in here will keep me on the sugar free path.

Hi all. Have been doing a low carb diet for a few weeks now. Just wanted to say that iirc all carbs turn to sugar in your body, so you might find it easier to control cravings by giving up all high carb food, like bread and pasta as well as cakes and chocolate.
If you want to eat fruit, berries are the lowest in carbs. I eat raspberries/strawberries and cream if I am desperate for sweet food, also 85% dark choc - just a square is enough to stave off cravings.
I must admit, I still drink a couple of gin and slimline tonics per week, which isn't ideal but I think it is hard to give up everything. But honestly, it has been a lot easier to do this than if I'd been eating bread etc.

Aderyn I was wondering about that, I'm trying to stop refined carbs this time too and hoping that will cut down cravings. What's the story with wholemeal/ wholegrain breads or are they just as bad?

Yes, but I'm not giving up carbs I'm giving up fructose. Not all carbs contain fructose. They contain glucose. And the way your body deals with those is different. David Gillespie and Dr Robert Lustig both talk about it.

There are different types of sugar- glucose, fructose, lactose etc. It is the fructose that is bad. It's why it's pointless when people say they'll replace with honey or maple syrup. Those are still fructose sugar.

Again berries are lowest in sugar, which is what matters. Not carbs. I'm a runner, no carbs at all would be a disaster.