Quitting sugar accountability thread

[quittingsugaryay]

I'm quitting sugar for 30 days. I did it before and lost lots of weight, cleared my skin and felt more energetic.
So here are my rules:
*No added sugar (check every label)
*No honey
*I'm allowed to eat fruits but the ones with low glucemic index
*No pasta and no bread.

I'll be using this thread as accountability thread. Everybody is welcome to join.
Thank you x

I'm already reading those links, @Kamr123 ; it's compelling stuff.

I shall return on Saturday; I appreciate you are winding down on this thread, so thank you for passing on your experiences.

We are back after a very enjoyable and thankfully very active break - the big shop looms but I am focused with my list. I have weighed and have measured my waist.

I will post back here later, @Kamr123 style, with day one's results and what I'm setting out to slowly change, one day at a time.

Possibly I am the only one here now, but that's fine!

Hi @50FootWave
Hope you had a good break.
Not to worry, I will definitely be popping in every now and then.😄
Use this as your own space, it doesn't matter if no one seems to be showing up on the thread - you are, and that's what matters.
Roll on day one. 😃

Hi, I'm here too!

Thanks, @Kamr123 and hello @Howcanichange - looking forward to having a place to share thoughts and progress.

Ok – posting this now so that I can shut my computer and get out in the garden and help DP with clearing up for an hour.

Review of Day 1

No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta (as I have no off switch). More water (not hard, I barely drink any).

Food: Natural yoghurt, oats, banana, teaspoon of pumpkin seeds; salad with brown rice, lettuce, radishes, tuna, homemade dressing. Have made vegetable wholemeal pasties (for family, not me) and a side salad made with tinned pulses (in water), sweetcorn and green beans, which I will have. Melon. Water.

Exercise: Swim and steps: 11,000.

Feeling: Positive. Relieved I’ve started. But also worried about a BBQ next weekend and how to decline host’s generous puddings without appearing rude.

Staring weight: 15.12. Waist (around belly button): 42 inches (yikes).

Hi @50FootWave
Great to read your first instalment.
For those times when you feel you are worried about being rude these may help (short reads):

This one is great!
Food, family and diabetes: how to say no politely | Diabetes UK

This is a nice conversation of what you 'could' do and its implications.
Most polite way to refuse offer of food - Refusing hospitality | Ask MetaFilter

At a family gathering, my go to is to smile and say, 'No, thank you....however, I saw a lovely plate of [insert the dish of something you can eat]....' This never fails, as we always end up talking about the other dish and why I like it. I have many recipes from those kinds of conversations. Other times, I simply say, 'No, thank you.'

Yes, there are going to be those that get offended or hurt. So you can say, 'I have to watch my sugar and salt levels for medical reasons.' It removes any indication that it's their food you don't like, and that is why you are avoiding it, and you are not refusing their caring and love (a big one).

That can usually stop them in their tracks. However, they may pry, so it all depends on how deep you want to go at a 'family' gathering or 'friend' gathering or 'friend of a friend' gathering or 'new friend' gathering with complete strangers.

Personally, I find it easier to say no to people I don't know well than family. They have a way of saying, things like:

'Why? You ate it last time!'
'What's wrong with you?'
'You're dieting? You don't need to diet! Come on, a little is not going to hurt!'
'You only live once, you need to enjoy life'
May call on others and say, 'Did you know she's dieting...' while pointing at me.
'Your [insert family member here] made is especially for you, you have to have some.'
Or they may go the other way and say, 'body positivity' you need to love yourself and enjoy life. This one does get to me, as this is me positively looking after my body.

Yes, I have been on the receiving end of all those. It can be uncomfortable spotlight moments. 😩

Thank you again, @Kamr123 for these links - some really brilliant deflections there, which won't cause offence! I like the 'thanks, that looks amazing but I'm very full at the mo - a coffee would be fab, though, thanks.'

Or I may just blame the menopause: that's a hard one to argue with!

I'll post my review a little later - today continues to be fine, and although I'm just about to catch up on work emails (normally made easier with a snack or five), I'm instead enjoying a (black) filter coffee and a very small portion of hazlenuts....

Review of Day 2

No processed sugar (including honey)/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Natural yoghurt, oats, banana, teaspoon of pumpkin seeds. Salad with chickpeas, grated carrot, beetroot, pumpkin seeds, tuna, splash of chilli oil. Homemade chicken, lentil and spinach curry (own spice mix, not a jar) with brown rice. Strawberries, two apples. A few hazelnuts and peanuts.

Exercise: Swim and steps: 14,000. Took an apple on our walk instead of suggesting we go for a coffee afterwards like I usually do.

Feeling: Good, a bit tired but I think that's post holiday catch up. No menopause headache though, which normally strikes on waking up.

Back to work tomorrow and it’s going to be a heavy week, but will take leftovers, veggie sticks, boiled eggs and fruit. Will be desk bound so steps will be low but will prioritise exercise when I get home.

Review of Day 3
No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Natural yoghurt, oats, banana, teaspoon of pumpkin seeds (creature of habit, me!). Leftover homemade chicken, lentil and spinach curry with brown rice. Radishes, 2 x boiled eggs. Tofu with broccoli and roasted pepper/tomato/garlic sauce (homemade). Melon. Handful of peanuts.

Exercise: Steps - 2,500 (knew today would be bad!).

Feeling: Really pleased I am sticking with the food and mentally reframing this as being about health rather than body image is helpful. No real sugar itch yet, and work not as triggering as I was anticipating. My weakness is bread though, so that will be the one I need to watch.

Disappointed about low steps and no exercise, but it’s one day out of a week. The rest of the week I’m wfh so can use my usual commuter time to grab a walk and a swim.

Review of Day 4
No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Natural yoghurt, oats, banana, teaspoon of pumpkin seeds. Brown rice, roasted carrots and beetroot, green beans, tuna and kidney beans. Handful of hazelnuts.

Exercise: Steps -12k, which included a 30-minute row.

Feeling: In the zone, glad I got out for a walk today. Work is brutal right now, but June always is – I will be sure to up my exercise in a couple of weeks. For now, food is the focus. That and co-ordinating family meals to be healthy for us all - well, healthier!

Well done @50FootWave !
You are doing a great job of keeping track.
It's nice to read someone else's daily log.
Well done on the exercise each day. 😄

Ah, thanks for the cheerleading, @Kamr123 , it means a great deal! I'm just copying what you did, but it's working so far...

I have just realised that I have worked all day from home in the kitchen rather than my usual spot elsewhere in the house, and not thought about the bread bin once. That's a pretty big deal for me!

Did you find that reducing sugar levelled out your hunger spikes? And also, if you don't mind me asking, did you use oil at all to cook with, maybe olive or rapeseed? I don't use much, but I like to use a splash to cook with...

Review of Day 5
No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Usual breakfast. Left over brown rice, roasted carrots and beetroot, tuna and kidney beans. Two eggs, apple. Large handful of hazelnuts. I have made a pasta sauce and added chickpeas, haricot and borlotti beans, which I will have with brown rice, and family will have with pasta and cheese. I have also made a rhubarb and strawberry crumble which they will eat. I’m not craving sugar at all, so this doesn’t bother me – it’s more things like cheese which I could wolf down. I haven’t given cheese up per se, but in my mind it’s processed, and that’s what I am avoiding.

Exercise: Steps -5k.

Feeling: About how this going: great. Looking forward to work easing and beng able to exercise more. I will weigh on Saturday, but tbh, I’m not really thinking about that aspect, when on previous ‘diets’ I’m obsessed with the scales. Interesting development.

Another reminder that This Is Not a Diet.

Definitely not as hungry as I was before, which seemed like I was always famished most of the time. Another upside is now, I get full very easily.

I would also say that 99% of the time, I only drink water and nothing else. Have done for years. Every now and then I will go for a small carton of apple juice. But shortly after, I will head for the water to actually quench the thirst I developed after drinking it.

Regarding the oil, we have a good pan that has been seasoned well over time and requires no oil to get it going. We do have a selection of oils in our cupboard right now - coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and sesame oil. We do use them sparingly, and small bottles can last months. For stir fried veggies and scrambled eggs, we use water.

Moderation is always going to be key, but we do switch it up depending on the flavour we want, and healthy fats are okay - in moderation.

Thank you, @Kamr123, informative as always. Mind you, oil is a luxury item at the moment anyway, so I'm not rushing to stock up...

Review of Day 6
No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Usual breakfast. Apple. Roasted sweet potato, parsnips, tomatoes with chilli oil. A piece of cheese. Handful of hazelnuts. Mango. Lots of water.

Exercise: Steps: 8k.

Feeling: Good, positive, tired!

well done everyone. I'm thoroughly beaten down with house buying and selling and have returned to my sugary ways. I hope to get back onto this thread when there's an end in sight...

Hey @50FootWave

I was looking to start a thread and found you here so I'll join you if that works?

I need a focus and a boost before I go on holiday in 1 month but beyond that I really need to change my sugar habits!

My info:

10s9, working at home, gave up drinking a year ago, exercise regularly, eat healthy.

Snack like a toddler! I love chocolate!

I curbed the evening snacking by fasting but the sugary stuff just crept in of an afternoon and weekend!

I am on day 4 now and have woke with lots of energy but a headache too!

I'll pop on daily to share check ins x

God luck with your move, @sugarbyebye - a very stressful time so I hope it goes smoothly.

Nice to meet you @jelly79 - how is it going?

Yesterday was non stop, but here's my daily check in:

Review of Day 7 (yesterday)
No processed sugar/reduced intake of processed food/no bread or pasta. More water.

Food: Usual breakfast. Large plate of steamed broccoli and leeks, with an omelette. Roasted sweet potato and salad with cashews.

Exercise: Steps: 6k.

Feeling: In the zone. One more mega busy week at work then I can reclaim some time for exercise...

Today we have lunch at a friends who lays on lots of delicious food. I remain optimistic, but will report back later....

Hey everyone - due to working long hours, I'm struggling to keep up with posting here, so am going to bow out this month. Not from the sugar quitting, just trying to get as many things off my list.

Good luck to everyone on your own journey, and a massive thanks espeically to @Kamr123 for the inspiration and support.

I will be back at the beginning of July.

Hi @50FootWave

Glad my journey could help.😄

I am doing an update on the 18th of June making it approximately 4 months since I joined this thread. So excited to do that.

Month 4 - Update (18th of May to 18th of June 2024)
No processed sugar/reduced intake of salt/reduced intake of processed food/
Starting weight was 10 stone 4 lbs. Final weight on the 17th of May, after approx. three months (90 days), was 8 stone 7lbs.

Current weight after 4 months 8 stone 4lbs.
Total weight loss 2 stone (28 lbs).

If I said this continuous reflection and accountability got me out of some tenuous situations, I wouldn't be lying. There were some very life changing situations (not health wise) that if I don't have this discipline, I would have been off track. Not to mention the sudden interest with the extended family and friends, which can sometime be, how shall I say this, pushy in what they have to say.

I am now at a point, that I look at what I eat and I ask myself 'is it going to add something good to my body, or take something away? I.e., health, personal feeling of wellbeing, discipline...

I tried a sweet, yes, I did - a vegan fruit pastel and it was disgusting. Nothing since then. My family do not buy sweets, and the children tend to cook each day., with the occasional thick chips from our local chip shop (moderation is key).

My physique and energy have changed a great deal. I don't weigh myself as often, probably once a week at the very most, but I like the way I feel and look like my old self (plus the graceful aging).

Will do another monthly update...possibly start my own thread.😄

I'm joining too!
SW: 76.9kg
Day 1. No sugar added.
I had a homemade matcha latte at home for breakfast (I never eat much in the mornings)
Lunch soup and grilled salmon.
Snack homemade popcorn.
Dinner: mediterranean salad.

wow! Congratulations on your weight loss and changing your eating habits. your history motivates me to keep going eating healthily