NSV - 21 Days Without Refined Sugar & White Flour

Today I achieved my goal of 21 days without refined sugar and white flour!!!

Though I have succeeded in weight loss and fitness at various times in my life, I never found the inner strength to go without flour and sugar. Even when I was powerlifting as a teenager, I had a massive self-control problem and enjoyed way too much fast food, candy and cookies. As an adult, most everything I ate was a starch or a processed food.

As my weight topped out in June, I knew that I needed to hit reset on my health. The first step was to prove to myself that I could go without the junk. So I made a vow to myself to go without sugar and white flour for 21 days. The first few days were not easy. At all. I hated myself for setting this goal and had to take life one hour and one day at a time. I read and reread every success story on the boards that I could find to keep myself going. By day 10, however, I was in heaven. I didn't crave any of it. And I had fallen in love with simple taste of organic fruit, veggies and minimally seasoned chicken.

I eat carbs each day - fruits, veggies and corn tortillas. I eat a ton of protein and more fat than I likely should (I have a cheese habit too). So far I've lost nearly 19 pounds. I sleep through the night. My caffeine intake has been cut in half. I don't add salt to anything anymore. I drink a ton of water. I have loads of energy and am exercising again. My skin looks 5-10 years younger. Over all I feel incredible.

I am planning to add complex carbs back into my diet in the next 10 days now that I'm back at circuit training. And starting this week, I am weening myself off of caffeine. My experience these last 3 weeks has taught me that I REALLY CAN do anything I put my mind to doing!!!!

Thank you to everyone who makes MFP such an amazing community!!