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Sugar Detox - Exercising through the Withdrawals

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  • Posts: 6,124 Member
    mardetox wrote: »

    literally, MFP spat that number out

    Because you input unrealistic goals and the system literally just calculates a caloric goal based upon your inputs ... bottoming out at 1200. It also spat out a net, not gross, caloric goal.
  • Posts: 358 Member
    [Right, but as someone who can't eat 1 cookie but has to eat 3, I think this approach will help reset my mindset (that is, a mindset of an addict). Thanks for the info though! [/quote]

    I fit 3 cookies in when I want to eat them... I also fit my Starbucks coffees in when I want them.. I eat my healthy food and my junk foods and I still lose weight... I'm also eating 1670 calories a day and working out 4 days a week...
  • Posts: 12,019 Member
    It appears to me that this board has a few people who don't believe that sugar affects some people more than others, or that withdrawal like symptoms are real for some when sugar is removed from their diets. I think those people do not have an issue with sugar, and have never experienced it, so they don't accept it as possible... Just my opinion.

    I too have issues with sugar. If I am offered 1 cookie, I have more. Pop is my favourite "food". I'm to the pint where if I fry up too many carbs with my eggs in the morning (like a pepper) then I am craving carbs later in the day and hungry within a couple of hours rather than four.

    I went low carb high fat (LCHF) to get into ketogenisis, and I felt pretty poorly for about 2weeks - on and off. I was very tired, had migraines most of the time and was a bit cranky. Just weak. I'm not working out but now that I am past that withdrawal, I feel the urge to work out and od something, which is more than I ever felt before.

    My advice is to consider cutting back on exercise if you feel like you need to. Maybe tone it down to an easy jog or walk for a few days.

    On the otherhand, a hard workout of HIIT will help clear the sugars out of your body faster. ;)

    Just don't cheat. I had a couple of cheats and I think it made "withdrawal" last longer for me. Just a theory.

    My other advice would be to try the LCD board. Other low carbers may understand what you are going through more than others who are not in the same boat. Good luck!
  • Posts: 12,019 Member
    MFP gave me the 1200 calorie goal too. I upped it into the 1400's, although I often exceed that. I also changed the fat, protein and carb macros to better fit my goals.

    I didn't bother changing sugar because I like coming in waaay below MFP's recommended level. ;)
  • Posts: 6,124 Member
    nvsmomketo wrote: »
    It appears to me that this board has a few people who don't believe that sugar affects some people more than others, or that withdrawal like symptoms are real for some when sugar is removed from their diets. I think those people do not have an issue with sugar, and have never experienced it, so they don't accept it as possible... Just my opinion.

    I too have issues with sugar. If I am offered 1 cookie, I have more. Pop is my favourite "food". I'm to the pint where if I fry up too many carbs with my eggs in the morning (like a pepper) then I am craving carbs later in the day and hungry within a couple of hours rather than four.

    I went low carb high fat (LCHF) to get into ketogenisis, and I felt pretty poorly for about 2weeks - on and off. I was very tired, had migraines most of the time and was a bit cranky. Just weak. I'm not working out but now that I am past that withdrawal, I feel the urge to work out and od something, which is more than I ever felt before.

    My advice is to consider cutting back on exercise if you feel like you need to. Maybe tone it down to an easy jog or walk for a few days.

    On the otherhand, a hard workout of HIIT will help clear the sugars out of your body faster. ;)

    Just don't cheat. I had a couple of cheats and I think it made "withdrawal" last longer for me. Just a theory.

    My other advice would be to try the LCD board. Other low carbers may understand what you are going through more than others who are not in the same boat. Good luck!

    So, you still eat sugars ... therefore not "detoxing" as the OP desires. Of course, the fact sugar isn't a toxin makes "detoxing" an impossibility ... simple word meanings.
  • Posts: 1,122 Member
    edited July 2015
    mardetox wrote: »

    How is that not an addiction? Genuinely curious

    Because addiction has very little, if anything, to do with self control. Addiction is a physical change in the body that causes the addict to become dependent upon the substance which will cause withdrawal symptoms up to, and including death, if that substance is not ingested. An addicted person does not lack self control. An addicted person lacks the physical capability of staying away from their addiction until they are weaned off.

    Sugar does not have this affect on the body. Any "withdrawal" symptoms you experience happen because you've been told by people you trust that these symptoms are real, i.e. the placebo effect.

    A craving for something is not an addiction. You can control yourself, but you stated that you are lacking that self control which means you are consciously choosing not to control yourself.
  • Posts: 29,136 Member

    So, you still eat sugars ... therefore not "detoxing" as the OP desires. Of course, the fact sugar isn't a toxin makes "detoxing" an impossibility ... simple word meanings.

    the massive contradiction of sugar adversely affects me but I still eat it is always an interesting dichotomy.
  • Posts: 28,055 Member
    nvsmomketo wrote: »
    It appears to me that this board has a few people who don't believe that sugar affects some people more than others, or that withdrawal like symptoms are real for some when sugar is removed from their diets. I think those people do not have an issue with sugar, and have never experienced it, so they don't accept it as possible... Just my opinion.

    I too have issues with sugar. If I am offered 1 cookie, I have more. Pop is my favourite "food". I'm to the pint where if I fry up too many carbs with my eggs in the morning (like a pepper) then I am craving carbs later in the day and hungry within a couple of hours rather than four.

    I went low carb high fat (LCHF) to get into ketogenisis, and I felt pretty poorly for about 2weeks - on and off. I was very tired, had migraines most of the time and was a bit cranky. Just weak. I'm not working out but now that I am past that withdrawal, I feel the urge to work out and od something, which is more than I ever felt before.

    My advice is to consider cutting back on exercise if you feel like you need to. Maybe tone it down to an easy jog or walk for a few days.

    On the otherhand, a hard workout of HIIT will help clear the sugars out of your body faster. ;)

    Just don't cheat. I had a couple of cheats and I think it made "withdrawal" last longer for me. Just a theory.

    My other advice would be to try the LCD board. Other low carbers may understand what you are going through more than others who are not in the same boat. Good luck!

    Especially agreeing with the bolded. I wonder if those people have ever given up sugar and if so if they were symptom-free.

    @mardetox Here's the link to the Low Carb Daily group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group
  • Posts: 12,019 Member

    So, you still eat sugars ... therefore not "detoxing" as the OP desires. Of course, the fact sugar isn't a toxin makes "detoxing" an impossibility ... simple word meanings.

    My sugar garams are between 2g and 8g of sugar per day and my total carbs are usually under 50g. I've had days where my only sugars come from the cream in my coffee. Usually the rest come from spinach, celery, eggs, and such.

    Unless you are a complete carnivore, you are going to get some carbs, and some sugar, in your diet. That doesn't mean you don't feel their removal. Is a smoker not going to notice going from a pack a day to one? How about the alcoholic who only gets a half glass of wine?

    Yes I know that what I felt when I removed sugars from my diet (as much as possible without eating 100% meat) was not comparable to what an addict went through, but it was a lot more uncomfortable for me than others I know who reduced sugar and had no problems with sugar to begin with.
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  • Posts: 3,472 Member
    Serah87 wrote: »
    So now natural sugar is bad now??
    Only if it's from a evil moo-moo machine (cow), it's okay to eat simple syrup barnacles (fruits).
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  • Unknown
    edited July 2015
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  • Posts: 61 Member
    edited July 2015
    Go for a nice long walk outside. That will get you some exercise and you won't have to burn yourself out with some major cardio workout.
  • Posts: 4,589 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    Especially agreeing with the bolded. I wonder if those people have ever given up sugar and if so if they were symptom-free.

    @mardetox Here's the link to the Low Carb Daily group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/394-low-carber-daily-forum-the-lcd-group

    I get really confused the way LC people use the words "sugar" and "carbs" interchangeably. Are they actually the same exact thing?
  • Posts: 6,124 Member
    edited July 2015
    nvsmomketo wrote: »

    My sugar garams are between 2g and 8g of sugar per day and my total carbs are usually under 50g. I've had days where my only sugars come from the cream in my coffee. Usually the rest come from spinach, celery, eggs, and such.

    Unless you are a complete carnivore, you are going to get some carbs, and some sugar, in your diet. That doesn't mean you don't feel their removal. Is a smoker not going to notice going from a pack a day to one? How about the alcoholic who only gets a half glass of wine?

    Yes I know that what I felt when I removed sugars from my diet (as much as possible without eating 100% meat) was not comparable to what an addict went through, but it was a lot more uncomfortable for me than others I know who reduced sugar and had no problems with sugar to begin with.

    Thank you for undermining your own argument.

    Did you account for glycogenesis?

    Keto gets a bad rep because of zealots that spout fallacies.
  • Posts: 28,055 Member
    edited July 2015

    Oh please. More assumptions. Ridiculous.

    "I wonder" indicates a question, not an assumption.

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  • Posts: 4,696 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    "I wonder" indicates a question, not an assumption.

    Not necessarily. And certainly not in your post. You've been here long enough to know the answer to that "question", and you've been here long enough for us to know your intentions.
  • Posts: 12,019 Member
    Your first paragraph...you know what they say about assumptions. Many of us have or had issues moderating our sugar intake. Because it's delicious and sugary treats are highly palatable and easy to eat lots of. NOT because it's addictive or toxic.

    I'm just saying how it appears to me. It is how some people came across to me. A first impression if you will. And yes, first impressions may be wrong but I can't say my opinion is yet.

    Tha is my opinion based on what I have seen and read so far. It could be wrong, but calling me an *kitten* (I am guessing you were implying that "assume" makes an *kitten* out of "u" and "me") doesn't help your argument.

    Plus you made my point: some people overate sugar because it was deicous and highly palatable, and not because they had an addictive-like relationship with it.

    It seems to me that the nay sayers are implying that I lied about my experiences when I reduced sugar as much as possible. I am not. I felt poorly. You didn't. We're different people who had different experiences.
  • Posts: 28,055 Member

    Sure it does

    Are you from the South? I've had a problem with communicating with women from the South who think I'm being passive aggressive. I'm from Massachusetts and mean what I say. When I say "I wonder" that means I am genuinely curious.

  • Posts: 603 Member
    There is sooo much contradicting info on this thread I don't know where to.... Way to much woo mixed in.
    This op has to be very confused and I don't even know how to lead her in the correct path.

    If you need help with sweets craving, some people get rid of the treats from the house (don't eat them) for a time then slowly bring them back in, or use moderation. You won't go through the rest of your life without them. Learn self control.
    Do more research on medical sites for diet/nutrition your body needs. Many great sticky on mfp.
    I think you have learned about the to large of a deficit already. (1/2 to 1 week loss)
    You do not feel good because you are not eating enough for what you are doing. It is not the sugar, your body detoxes itself (kidneys).
    Please do a little more research and do not listen to blogger/documentaries. seek out medical studies done.
    Good Luck.
  • Posts: 4,696 Member
    nvsmomketo wrote: »


    Tha is my opinion based on what I have seen and read so far. It could be wrong, but calling me an *kitten* (I am guessing you were implying that "assume" makes an *kitten* out of "u" and "me") doesn't help your argument.

    wat
  • Posts: 28,055 Member

    Not necessarily. And certainly not in your post. You've been here long enough to know the answer to that "question", and you've been here long enough for us to know your intentions.

    I don't recall ever seeing a post from the "I eat ice cream every day" people that discussed ever previously giving up sugar and how that made them feel and am genuinely curious about this.

  • Posts: 30,886 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    Especially agreeing with the bolded. I wonder if those people have ever given up sugar and if so if they were symptom-free.

    I have never given up sugar, as I like my veggies. I did spend a month with no added sugar in January and I did a few weeks with no added sugar and almost no fruit plus no grains (the first week with no dairy also) when I first started losing weight (this was a hard core, no emotional eating plan, plus part of a "paleo" experiment).

    I was completely symptom free and I simply don't believe in -- and don't see any scientific justification for -- the supposed existence of "sugar withdrawal." I think the whole concept is absurd.

    What likely happens (if it's not completely psychosomatic) is that people cut carbs drastically and get what's sometimes called low carb flu, as their body adjusts to a different fuel source. Or, as in OP's case, people cut calories drastically while upping activity.

    It is also worth noting that MANY people get in a habit of using sugar (or quick carbs generally) as a pick-me-up when they are tired and lacking energy for that reason. That they feel low energy without them is related to the lack of sleep.

    And, yes, it's normal for someone to develop habits and to want to eat something they are used to eating at a particular time or in a particular situation. That was the hardest thing for me.
  • Posts: 5,377 Member
    I'm always curious how these people ever manage to sugar detox when their body makes sugars as needed to prevent a low blood sugar collapse and for the minimum amount the brain needs to keep the lights on.
    Usually addiction detoxes involve getting all of the substance out of the system.
  • Posts: 30,886 Member
    nvsmomketo wrote: »
    My sugar garams are between 2g and 8g of sugar per day and my total carbs are usually under 50g. I've had days where my only sugars come from the cream in my coffee. Usually the rest come from spinach, celery, eggs, and such.

    What I think is amazing is that so often people propose these "no sugar" diets as if they were good for health, but you seem to be eating exceptionally few veggies and almost no variety. I normally wouldn't say anything, as it's your business and I think adults should decide for themselves what they consider healthy, but if we are going to talk about what is a healthy diet, I think prioritizing veggies and, yes, even fruits is much more important than trying to cut out sugar.
  • Posts: 4,696 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »

    I don't recall ever seeing a post from the "I eat ice cream every day" people that discussed ever previously giving up sugar and how that made them feel and am genuinely curious about this.

    Why would someone "give up sugar" (whatever that means) if it's not necessary? If you're meeting your macro and calorie goals and therefore limiting their sugar intake by default, then what's the harm in eating ice cream every day? How would we be affected by taking the ice cream completely out of our diets, other than being miserable that we can never eat ice cream again?

    I am genuinely misunderstanding why you think we would suddenly change our minds about ebil sugar if we stopped having it in moderation.
  • Posts: 30,886 Member
    I should add to my post about giving up added sugar that I did not feel the least bit better doing than than when I've eaten sugar in moderation and within the context of a healthy, calorie appropriate diet. And to be clear, I felt really good in both cases. But there was no magical effect of giving up sugar (or, for that matter, grains, and I feel better when I have dairy than when I don't--although this last might be entirely psychological).

    I also don't feel better or worse when eating or not eating meat.

    None of this surprises me, as humans are basically adapted to be able to eat what's available and thrive, and I am not lactose intolerant, celiac, and do not eat any foods I am allergic to.
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