So…I gained a little weight over the holidays. Not a ton, but enough that I can tell and I’m not a fan.
For the past year, I’ve been on this journey to Take Back Me. It ebbs and flows. I had big plans for January but between sickness and a few delayed school days, it has been a bit of a bust.
No more excuses.
Tomorrow I’m doing a self-imposed sugar challenge. I know those of you that have done the Whole 30 have cut sugar out cold turkey, but that is just not realistic for me. However, I know I ingest WAY too much sugar, and it’s time to do something about that.
For the next five days, I am allowed 25g of sugar. That is the American Heart Association’s recommended allotment for a healthy adult. I am not allowed ANY “added sugar”, so all those products with sugar in the ingredients (like breads, pasta sauce, etc.)? No dice. There will be no creamer in my coffee except regular milk, no honey in my oatmeal, no juice, no yogurt, no alcohol…you get the picture. I am allowing myself the sugars that are naturally found in fruits and some vegetables, therefore the reason behind the 25g allotment. (For instance, a small banana has 12g of sugar.)
I believe that life was meant to be enjoyed. A glass of wine and a piece of cake make me happy, so I’m not going all crazy and swearing these things off for life. (I mean, really, that would be insanity!) But I do know that I eat too much of it and that’s probably a big reason that my body does not look the way that I want it to, even given the exercise that I do.
Five days is not a long time. I know I can do this (I say as I shove a handful of M&Ms in my face.) It is my goal to do this several weeks in a row, allowing myself the weekend for a splurge or two. Then, ideally, I’ll be hyper away of what I’m putting into my body.
Repeat after me. SELF-CONTROL. WILLPOWER. SELF-CONTROL. WILLPOWER.
Can you do it? Will you join me?
I’m trying something similar – basically cutting out refined sugar and white flour. (I’ll make allowances for, say, the packet of Sweet ‘n’ Low in my coffee.) 5 days seems like a totally reasonable goal – who knows, maybe you’ll decide you feel great and want to do it longer. (Hahahahaaaaaaaa ok nevermind.) Still, baby steps! I figure if nothing else, it’ll sort of hit a mental reset button on a lot of the foods that I mindlessly snack on.
Wow this is soooo hard! How are you feeling with the no sugar so far? I definitely want to try this and to do this for my family, but it’s quite difficult – especially for my kid. I’m just trying to get us to be more mindful of what we are eating. Keep us updated!
I have been debating doing something similar but I think I will have to do it with baby steps. I drink a lot of tea, and need my small spoonful of Truvia. I’m not a big drinker but I do have an occasional cocktail (maybe twice a month) and I enjoy that treat too much to stop.
I hear you. I specifically picked a work/school week vs over a weekend for that very reason. I have an event on Saturday and I’m having wine. 🙂 I’m currently drinking my cup of coffee with just milk and it’s pretty “meh”, but it’s five days. I can do anything for five days, right?
Five days sounds feasible.
I really need to start cutting down on the sugar, as well. I’m working on being more aware and tracking my food and everything, but the sugar – it’s a sneaky addition to so much stuff! Good luck and I look forward to hearing how it goes.
I gained 15 pounds from Jan. 2014 to Dec. 31. I started Dr. Oz which basically cuts the sugars, too. I did it for two weeks. Lost a good a six or seven pounds. Now, I’m not on the plan, but have cut way back, and eating lots of veggies and very little sugar. Weight loss is slow, but I”m not gaining. Total pounds lost now is about 7..maybe 8,, depending on the day. 🙂 I still want to go down more. 45 was havoc on my metabolism…that and sitting still, and eating and drinking too much from the type of stories I cover.
Milk is terrible in coffee. But, I did find an almond creamer that I like. It has 3 grams.
I did 2 detoxes last year, and gave up sugar for a two-week period each time. It made a HUGE difference in how I felt and looked…. good luck!
And here comes another snow day! Winter weather always has me craving comfort foods like breads and pasta. This post is just one more kick in my pants to pull it together this month.
Good for you!! I keep thinking that I want to do this myself, but I’m honestly just not in a place where I have the willpower. I have cut back though, and we don’t buy soda at all, and rarely buy any juice or other sweetened drinks. Baby steps!! Good luck! I’ll be following along!
This is so great. I really need to do this to help my body feel better. I don’t know if I can give up honey and maple syrup too but cutting out refined sugar would be an accomplishment for me. Good luck and thanks for inspiring us!
Long term I don’t think I will give it up completely. I like wine and cake too much! But if I can be more aware of how much I’m putting into my body, I’ll be on the right track. It really is in EVERYTHING!!
Sugar is my serious weakness. It’s my thing that I crave when I want to eat a treat. I’ve never logged it, though on a good day to see how much I eat in naturally occurring foods. I don’t like bananas so that saves me a ton!
This sounds like a perfect kick-start! My friend does a two week sugar-free thing and I know I could never do it. 5 days sounds a lot more manageable.
Thank you so much for the realistic way of cutting back! I think I’d have a hard time going cold turkey but this seems really manageable! Can’t wait to hear how it goes because you’re certainly inspiring me to do the same!
Love that you’re being realistic about this. Curious to know how you’re feeling a few days into it. I’m always inspired to do something like this, then don’t because it snows for days and all the carbs insulate me from the cold.
yeah you had me until wine. 😉 I actually did a Clean Eating Challenge last year and it was GREAT. Felt so good. So DO IT! nothing like blogging about it to make you committed!
You can do it. I usually cut alcohol and sugars from my diet a couple weeks before a race. It makes me feel great, but then I gravitate back to those sugary treats. Something I struggle with…