Hi all. I was also on the other thread. I started in about August I think, and still going. Bit of a brain dump below -
My motivation was initially quality of diet rather than weight loss. However, in September I had a major foot operation that has limited my mobility massively (16 weeks on crutches, 6 of those I was basically housebound in a wheelchair and for the last 10 I've been able to do a max of 3000 steps per day at a v slow pace ). As a result I've had to be pretty strict with my diet to avoid putting weight on (which the consultant told me to avoid as it puts more stress on the surgery). Despite being extremely sedentary, since August I have lost about 4kg; 2kg of that is likely to be muscle wastage in my legs due to the surgery, so let's say 2kg of fat. That feels about accurate if I look at my body. My appetite has decreased/regulated and I find that even when I'm hungry, it's not such a desperate "craving" hunger.
My aim with sugar was always to cut out the worst excesses, so I don't worry about fresh fruit (eat 2-4 portions a day), alcohol, tiny amounts in savoury foods such as oatcakes, sauces in restaurants/ takeouts etc. I still eat starchy carbs (mainly potato and rice in my case). I do also still eat the odd dessert, bit of birthday cake etc. but on a "party food is for parties" basis, so I'd have a bit of cake at my friend's 40th, but I don't just mindlessly munch Oreos because I'm bored at work.
I treat all sugars the same whether it's sucrose, syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar etc. I don't drink fruit juices or eat dried fruit, but I never really did anyway tbh.
I personally have found that my "sugar addiction" was habitual and not physical, so I can eat some high sugar treats and not get sucked into the vortex, providing I limit it to certain occasions. Having a piece of cake at a party wouldn't make me want to eat candy at work the next day, but I know that buying candy and eating it at work one day would make me want to do the same the next day, and the next and the next. Therefore for me the key was breaking behavioural associations with certain situations and emotions (recognising your triggers is important).
Sweeteners I know are controversial - personally I didn't bother cutting out sweeteners (Diet Coke in my case) to start with, but now I find that I don't really want those drinks anyway. I know that some people find sweeteners increase cravings for sugar, so you just need to figure out what works.
Finally...... agree with pp that it's a journey and don't just give up if you have a blip. It's probably not realistic to say that you're never ever eating a cake, biscuit or dessert again.