Quitting sugar

I've decided to quit sugar which for me is a huge. Yes I'm addicted to sugar. Even though I go to the gym 4 times a week, I eat fairly healthy, I just can't say no to chocolates and sweets and so I have plateau in my weight loss. Hopefully the my fitness pal community can help me.

Replies

  • mbryon
    mbryon Posts: 130 Member
    Sugar… yuck! Vinegar… yum! Hope this helps! Happy New Year! :)
  • LucindaGregory1
    LucindaGregory1 Posts: 8 Member
    Haha. Not really but thanks mbryon. It will be a great new year for all of us☺
  • mycml2013
    mycml2013 Posts: 1 Member
    I am with you on this! I can never stay off it long enough. I hope we can motivate each other.
  • Lmck13
    Lmck13 Posts: 17 Member
    Oh I've tried over and over to quit sugar but it keeps sneaking back in. Trying again this January... I can help motivate. :-)
  • powerjd
    powerjd Posts: 1 Member
    Im trying too. My worst enemy is tge free frozen yogurt machine! !!!!!
  • luvsis91
    luvsis91 Posts: 17 Member

    this is my same problem! I have a sweet tooth like no other. I have the hardest time saying no to any sweets. I would love some help in motivating me to not go to the dark (chocolate) side lol
  • Gamliela
    Gamliela Posts: 2,468 Member
    powerjd, just make sugar free yogurt! yum
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    edited January 2016
    Not completely, right? A lot of foods besides chocolate and desserts have sugar. I understand wanting to cut back for personal reasons but there really isn't a need to cut it for weight loss.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Do you have a medical reason for doing this?

    Sugar by itself is not unhealthy, and will not stall weight loss. Of course, if you are eating too many calorie dense, sugary foods, then you just need to look at your overall diet and reduce said foods.

    There are no human trials showing that sugar is addictive, and in most cases those that believe that they have a "sugar addiction" have been shown to have a behavioral or mental health issue that is manifesting itself in the form of binging on sugary treats.

    Here is my recommendation for your weight loss plateau..

    make sure that you are using a food scale to weigh all solids
    make sure that you are using correct MFP database entries
    only eat back half of exercise calories

    hope this helps...
  • Laura03211
    Laura03211 Posts: 9 Member
    Good luck. I crave Cokes and am now trying to give them up. I started 3 days ago, and I'm gradually decreasing each day, so it won't be such a huge hit. I think it takes at least a few weeks, if not a month, to stop having cravings. I noticed that the food section lists sugar grams, and my recommended amount is 50 grams. One 12 ounce Coke has nearly that amount, so hopefully having that visual will help when I'm having a craving. Have you tired sugar free candies? Although, that is still putting something in your mouth.
  • kevin_bvbfan
    kevin_bvbfan Posts: 37 Member
    Chocolate is my weakness. I don't drink or drink soda, but chocolate is a hard one for me. I replaced it with chocolate flavored protein shakes with peanut butter and bananas. Slightly better option
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    edited January 2016
    I've been there.

    If you are quitting (added) sugar for the rest of your life (lifestyle change) good luck to you!

    But, if you are cutting out (added) sugar to lose weight (and that's a temporary change) then it's not such a good plan. Losing weight is just STEP 1. Maintaining the weight you lost is step 2. Logging high calorie treats and snacks is a learning experience. It really makes you think about the "price." It makes me prioritize. This time, I am managing sugar not eliminating it. To maintain weight lost you will need lifestyle changes.

    Dark chocolate in wonderful. I like Ghiradelli squares because they are individually wrapped.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    There's a challenge that started recently that some in this thread might be interested in joining, it looks to be mostly accountability and support for people who are trying to cut out sugary foods which are an issue for them: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10309881/january-march-clean-eating-sugar-free-challenge#latest
  • lindseydodd408
    lindseydodd408 Posts: 11 Member
    I quit sugar (allowed 6-9gs fructose per day) two years ago, it was the most liberating food decision that I have ever made. I've lost 4 stone and I have not had an emotional binge session in that entire time. I now eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full. I sleep amazing, my skin is amazing, I no longer get regular monthly headaches, I have more energy. The first two weeks was hell, I could have crushed up and snorted a Mars bar at times, but once I was over the withdrawal it was incredible. Obviously everyone is different, but this was the key to unlocking my unhealthy relationship with food and making/maintaining positive change. Good luck!!!
  • PennySwimmer
    PennySwimmer Posts: 13 Member
    I'm trying to give up sugar too. I'm with you!
  • Simmonsfitcoach
    Simmonsfitcoach Posts: 9 Member
    Sugar will rob your mitochondria of all energy. Your body runs more efficiently off of fat which is why we store body fat and not body sugar!!! Sugar is also a neurotoxin. Keep it up you have great supports here! Add me if you would like to add another support :)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Sugar will rob your mitochondria of all energy. Your body runs more efficiently off of fat which is why we store body fat and not body sugar!!! Sugar is also a neurotoxin. Keep it up you have great supports here! Add me if you would like to add another support :)

    fixed it for you ..

    and why is this thread being necroed?
  • shimmernova
    shimmernova Posts: 17 Member
    Heyyy

    I've cut out sugar since monday and I'm in that horrible groggy stage where I just have a headache all the time and could kill someone just by looking at them, you know? I know it's tough in the beginning but we can do this!!! totally adding you now =)
  • andrea4736
    andrea4736 Posts: 211 Member
    Meeeeeee too. Specifically the literal candy. I can down a bag of sour worms in 5 minutes, lol.
  • Treece68
    Treece68 Posts: 780 Member
    "Sugar will rob your mitochondria of all energy" I mean really this is the funniest thing I have read all year.
  • CrispyHalo
    CrispyHalo Posts: 1 Member
    I have a hard time saying no to sweets, especially when I'm stressed! But, as I start my new weight loss goals, I'm making extra sugar the first target on my hit list. I know it needs to be a lifestyle change, so instead of going crazy, I'm thinking of just starting with the obvious. Like, passing up the candy bowl at work. Drinking my coffee black, etc. Guess we'll see where this goes...
  • ldpayne10
    ldpayne10 Posts: 1 Member
    I'm on day 11 of my sugar fast. It's been easier than I thought it would be. The first few days sucked..headaches and mood swings but nothing like I was expecting. I've had an unhealthy relationship with sweets for a long time. It's my go to when I'm anxious or sad... I've learned this since I stopped eating sugar. I have to find new healthyways to cope with my emotions. I've cut out bread, pasta, and sweets. I still eat fruit. I've been focusing on primarily eating proteins. Lots of fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, and nuts. I don't do great with vegetables but I'm trying harder to fit them in. We're buying a blender to make smoothies...that way I can sneak vegetables in a not have to taste them. I agree with Ndj1979...most people with any kind of "addiction" probably have emotional issues they have not dealt with and worked through. In addition to my healthier food lifestyle I'm also working on my emotional and spiritual health. I really believe that's why it's been easier than normal this time around. I do daily affirmations. It's weird at first but I really like them now. Some of mine are:
    I am disciplined.
    I am self-controlled.
    I am loved.
    I am secure.
    No temptation is greater than my God.
    etc.

    http://www.life.church/watch/words-to-live-by/#1
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Treece68 wrote: »
    "Sugar will rob your mitochondria of all energy" I mean really this is the funniest thing I have read all year.

    I need to add it to my myth list.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    I've decided to quit sugar which for me is a huge. Yes I'm addicted to sugar. Even though I go to the gym 4 times a week, I eat fairly healthy, I just can't say no to chocolates and sweets and so I have plateau in my weight loss. Hopefully the my fitness pal community can help me.

    If you have issues with moderating specific foods, then keeping them out of the house might help. Otherwise, many people find it beneficial to preplan their food diaries to include things like chocolate. I do this quite often. I preplan treats in my diary as it improves dietary compliance. Additionally, I preplan my diet because I concentrate on protein as it's very important.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Sugar will rob your mitochondria of all energy. Your body runs more efficiently off of fat which is why we store body fat and not body sugar!!! Sugar is also a neurotoxin. Keep it up you have great supports here! Add me if you would like to add another support :)

    This is utterly and completely false. Your body runs on glucose (monosaccharide). All carbs, regardless of source are broken down to glucose. If you don't eat enough carbs, your body can produce sugars through glucenogenesis. So sugar is literally the most important thing to your body. It's not to say you need to eat a bunch of junk food, but glucose is what keeps you alive.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Heyyy

    I've cut out sugar since monday and I'm in that horrible groggy stage where I just have a headache all the time and could kill someone just by looking at them, you know? I know it's tough in the beginning but we can do this!!! totally adding you now =)

    are you cutting fruits and vegetables too?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    Heyyy

    I've cut out sugar since monday and I'm in that horrible groggy stage where I just have a headache all the time and could kill someone just by looking at them, you know? I know it's tough in the beginning but we can do this!!! totally adding you now =)

    If you cut sugar, and overall cut carbs, you could be suffering from an electrolyte imbalance. This in turn would make you feel lethargic. At some point, if carbs are very low, you need high sodium to help balance your electrolytes.


    What do you total carbs look like?
  • dfc4
    dfc4 Posts: 109 Member
    Try cutting down foods that have Sugar & Fat in them... cookies chocolate Cake and so on..hey are the big baddies...
    If you try and cut sugar out totally you could have problems with low energy levels.
    there is however. enough sugar in Fruit & Veg & other healthy foods without having to "add" any refined sugar.


  • krebane13
    krebane13 Posts: 2 Member
    Big willpower makes everything possible, good luck! ;):)
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    dfc4 wrote: »
    Try cutting down foods that have Sugar & Fat in them... cookies chocolate Cake and so on..hey are the big baddies...
    If you try and cut sugar out totally you could have problems with low energy levels.
    there is however. enough sugar in Fruit & Veg & other healthy foods without having to "add" any refined sugar.


    why is fruit sugar OK but cookie sugar is not?