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Weight loss chat

A space to talk openly about weight loss journeys and challenges. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

Giving up sugar for 21 days

135 replies

Ihaterain1 · 07/05/2023 19:09

I have been eating toomuch chocolate and sweets since the new year which resulted in putting on around 8 pounds. I am planning to reset my cravings by giving up sugar from tomorrow for at least 21 days. Anyone wants to join me?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ihaterain1 · 07/05/2023 21:34

I personally dont eat any dried fruit anyway, and also not much fresh fruit, i eat mostly blueberries and sometimes apples, dried fruits have a lot of sugar

OP posts:
Starcircle · 07/05/2023 21:36

@lochmaree - those sound amazing! I didn’t give up any of those things but I find I have to eat them pretty sparingly because they seem to have pretty much the same craving effect that regular sugar has for me. I’d probably avoid dried fruit for a pretty long time!

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 21:38

Ihaterain1 · 07/05/2023 20:35

21 days to reset to my old eating habits, i gave up sugar a few years ago,i followed Sara Wilsons plan. After that i was eating eat a bit but this year after a lot of stress, being tired, perimenopause plus covid 4 times i started to eat sweet things every days, i am hoping that after 21 days i will go back to my old eating habits. Its apparently 21 days to create a habit( although i hope i will last much longer)

Show quote history

I have ADHD. Couldn’t create a habit in 21 years never mind 21 days!

UpUpUpU · 07/05/2023 21:40

I give up refined sugars but still eat some fruit and other natural sugars

thisisasurvivor · 07/05/2023 21:44

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 19:52

Why just 21 days? I gave it up (save a very few special occasions) 2.5 YEARS ago.

Please tell me more
This is my dream

Had some healthy eating weeks and binged last weekend
Have felt so unwell since
Like a horrible hangover and my brain feels sludgy
Was so much clearer in my thinking while eating healthy

New day tomorrow

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 21:55

thisisasurvivor · 07/05/2023 21:44

Please tell me more
This is my dream

Had some healthy eating weeks and binged last weekend
Have felt so unwell since
Like a horrible hangover and my brain feels sludgy
Was so much clearer in my thinking while eating healthy

New day tomorrow

Show quote history

It’s exactly that. In the same way that I know a bottle of wine or 6 gins will leave me hungover I know sugar and crap processed food will leave me looking and feeling like crap. So I make other choices that I know will make me feel great.

Ochre247 · 07/05/2023 21:59

I'm doing no sugar / no carb using the Freshwell app (it's free and developed by GPS). Good luck I feel LOADS better xx

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 08:11

GCWorkNightmare · 07/05/2023 21:55

It’s exactly that. In the same way that I know a bottle of wine or 6 gins will leave me hungover I know sugar and crap processed food will leave me looking and feeling like crap. So I make other choices that I know will make me feel great.

Show quote history

Do you eat sugar or chocolate at Christmas, birthdays or Easter? To me those are the most difficult times .. I think I could not eat chocolate in between but those dates are spend with family and lots of sweets and foods.

LoveBuzzz · 08/05/2023 09:04

I am going to join you; the only thing I’ll struggle with is the cinnamon and raisin bagel thin I have every morning for breakfast. It’s the only thing that fills me up until lunchtime (a bowl of porridge, for example, doesn’t touch the sides). Good luck, everyone!

UpUpUpU · 08/05/2023 09:39

I’ve weighed in this morning and was horrified!!! If I can lose 3kg in the next 21 days as well as feel better, I’ll be happy!

GCWorkNightmare · 08/05/2023 10:09

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 08:11

Do you eat sugar or chocolate at Christmas, birthdays or Easter? To me those are the most difficult times .. I think I could not eat chocolate in between but those dates are spend with family and lots of sweets and foods.

Show quote history

I have a few rules around special occasions.

We don’t really celebrate Easter or Xmas, but I will allow myself a mince pie but only if my dad has made them. Shop bought ones don’t do anything for me in comparison. If dad doesn’t make them, I won’t bother. Sky hasn’t fallen in yet.

I don’t like milk chocolate but will have a bit of 90-100% dark chocolate a couple of times a month, when I really want it. We don’t celebrate Easter and DD only gets a couple of milk chocolate eggs so it’s not an issue for me.

Birthdays, again l, I might have a small piece of cake if it’s something worth having. Generally I find shop bought cake disappointing so I will swerve it.

I absolutely allow myself choice. If I want something sweet, or 12 gins on a work night out I’ll have it, and deal with the consequences as anyone would a hangover. But over time it becomes easier to pay attention and think “I could have it if I wanted it, but actually I’d prefer to have more energy tomorrow”. “I don’t eat that” is a really powerful statement for me and to explain to others, in exactly the same way you would tell them you don’t eat meat, or smoke, for example.

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 12:11

GCWorkNightmare · 08/05/2023 10:10

Here are those alternative words for sugar.

https://www.virtahealth.com/blog/names-for-sugar

Thank you, that list is very helpful x

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 12:13

I just ate my last chocolate bar and last crisps bag.
I'm starting now operation: no sugar forever .

Is it OK if I post here everyday to keep myself motivated? Thank you.

magneticmoon · 08/05/2023 12:32

I'd like to join you. Very addicted to sugar and my adhd interacts with this.

Original poster
Ihaterain1 · 08/05/2023 13:23

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 12:13

I just ate my last chocolate bar and last crisps bag.
I'm starting now operation: no sugar forever .

Is it OK if I post here everyday to keep myself motivated? Thank you.

Yes of course you can post everyday 🙂

OP posts:
GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 14:36

Ihaterain1 · 08/05/2023 13:23

Yes of course you can post everyday 🙂

Show quote history

Thank you, how is your 1st day of the 21 days going? 😊

UpUpUpU · 08/05/2023 15:18

Im struggling already! But I won’t give in.

saw an awful picture of me yesterday and I don’t want to be this literally, toxic person!

thisisasurvivor · 08/05/2023 15:22

We can do this

It doesn't even taste that great and makes you feel shit after

Our bodies and our minds are so important

Original poster
Ihaterain1 · 08/05/2023 15:35

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 14:36

Thank you, how is your 1st day of the 21 days going? 😊

Show quote history

Not too bad, had yoghurt for breakfast, egg salad with some lentils for lunch, a bit of spinach frittata for snacks and one oatcake, planning chicken salad for dinner

OP posts:
Doseydots · 08/05/2023 16:47

so far so good, I had my usual afternoon cravings however I had a few almonds and it seems to have calmed down. I been drinking lots of green tea and chamomile tea which has helped too.

GoldenFarfalle · 08/05/2023 17:43

@Doseydots and @Ihaterain1 , I'm so happy has been an easy day for both of you. We can do this! 😀

Doseydots · 09/05/2023 06:01

Day 2 for me, fingers crossed for a good day

ZoraMipha · 09/05/2023 06:16

Are you giving up all sugar OP including natural sugar and sugars in things like milk? What about carbs (as they are basically sugar as well aren't they?)

I have stopped eating sugar at breakfast, I think I'd struggle to do the same in the rest of my day just because so many things contain sugar.

I'm interested to hear more about where you draw the line and what kinds of things you are eating?

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