Giving up Sugar Weekdays Only

nicola8989

Sugar is my main poison and I know if I cut it out the weight will drop off me, I also worry about the health risks of eating a lot of sugar etc. I tend to be strict on weekdays and then have treats on a weekend. I'd been having a chocolate bar a day during the week but I'm cutting that out now so now I won't be eating any sugar on weekdays. I really want to turn this into a lifestyle that I can stick to rather than a diet, and that's what works best for me.

Should I go completely cold turkey for a few weeks, even on weekends, and then reintroduce sugar, or will I be okay to have some sugar at the weekend?

_Zardoz_

Your body needs sugar. Cutting out sugar is well impossible as its in most things. Unless you have a medical condition there is no real need to limit it. There is a lot of scaremongering around sugar with some very questionable science. Sugary sweets such as chocolate will be around for ever. Yes you may have psychological issues limiting those but maybe it's time to rather than try and remove them from your diet learn some moderation. Totally cutting something out is more likely to lead to cravings.SO maybe give yourself limits on sugary sweets but don't be scared of them.

Good Luck

neanderthin

Sounds like a willpower thing. Good luck.

desidieter

Are you talking about literally ALL sugar? Or just processed sugars like the ones found in desserts and stuff?

I have a definite sweet tooth, but I haven't been able to cut sugar completely, nor do I have a desire to, really. Sugar is in almost everything, including natural sugar, like that found in fruits or even milk and many other things. I still consume those. I just pay attention to my macros and try as much as possible not to exceed my sugar allowance for each day.

nicola8989

I should be more clear really - processed sugar is what I'm trying to cut out! I could eat chocolate with every meal if I let myself and I pretty much used to, I've cut a lot of sugar out.

neanderthin

Are you talking about literally ALL sugar? Or just processed sugars like the ones found in desserts and stuff?

I have a definite sweet tooth, but I haven't been able to cut sugar completely, nor do I have a desire to, really. Sugar is in almost everything, including natural sugar, like that found in fruits or even milk and many other things. I still consume those. I just pay attention to my macros and try as much as possible not to exceed my sugar allowance for each day.

She said sugary treats, like chocolate bars. Some people just can't eat them without bingeing.......she's one of those, it appears.

desidieter

I should be more clear really - processed sugar is what I'm trying to cut out! I could eat chocolate with every meal if I let myself and I pretty much used to, I've cut a lot of sugar out.

Okay, that's what I thought, but I just wanted to clarify.

Honestly, everyone is different. Maybe try out the weekdays no processed sugars thing for a while and see how it goes. If it works, stick with it and reward yourself in moderation on the weekends. If it doesn't work, then try to eat small amounts every day. I know someone who can't go a day without chocolate. So she eats just one small piece of dark chocolate after dinner every night to satisfy her craving. But I realize moderation doesn't always work for everyone. Just play around with your methods until you find something that works. And remember, if you fall off the bandwagon, it doesn't mean it's the end of all things and that you should just give up all together. Pick yourself up the next day, brush yesterday's failure off, and keep going!

Best of luck.

nicola8989

Thank you everyone. I have read some giving-up-sugar advice where they tell you to cut out fruit, bread etc but I don't see how cutting out fruit can be good for you! I'm switching bread to whole grains.

My overall "diet" is just to eat as healthily and cleanly as possible, i.e. foods with as few additives etc as possible, because I want it to be a lifestyle that is going to make me healthy as well as lose weight and be something I can keep up.

I've switched diet fizzy drinks for flavoured water and will soon be switching to "plain" water - just trying to make gradual changes like this.