Moving On

The first 5 or so weeks when I was off refined sugar, I was careful to avoid even foods where it was a minor ingredient. When I had a small amount, I could feel it effects immediately - dizziness or sudden lack of energy for instance. Trying to avoid it so diligently was stressful, even though I felt good physically. I was so hooked again when I went "off the wagon" over spring break that I got stuck at the 3 day and/or one week mark over and over again. Finally, I made it through 3 weeks again this summer, but focused on avoiding the really "sugary" foods. What a victory! So last week I went on vacation again (oh boy!) and had some sugar every day. Honestly, it didn't taste that great, and by the end of the week I felt very sick with a headache that lasted two and a half days, plus stomach problems. It just isn't worth it. Tomorrow I re-start! Wish me luck!

Here are some benefits I have when I don't eat refined sugar, but replace it with raw honey, date sugar, or other similar sweeteners:

• I don't wake up with stomach pain
• I can go off my stomach medication without side effects
• I have more energy
• I have fewer mood swings
• I don't crave junk food, but feel satisfied after eating a normal meal

Re-start

Well, I have finally made it through another five days "sugar-free." I have felt like such a failure trying to get going again. It is hard to go against my entire society (at least, that's the way it feels). This week I felt a measure of success when I went to dinner with co-workers. All five of them ordered pop to drink, and I drank water. Good for me!! I passed up pies at work yesterday too. I think I'm finally back on track, but I feel like I've lost so much by those weeks "off the wagon."

Setback

It was interesting to notice the effects sugar had on my body the few times in those first five weeks I had some. I went to a family event one afternoon, and after eating small amounts of pasta and sauce I felt so dopey I didn't want to speak or move (the sauce had sugar in it, like most pre-made foods). Wow, so not worth it! A couple of other times I had just a tiny bit of candy, and got an instant headache. Once I even felt a buzz! Eye-opening!

Unfortunately, the worst was three weeks ago when I took a short vacation. I knew I would be eating in restaurants and in other people's homes, so I would have to compromise. But trying to get back on track has been an absolute bear! Just this week I'm finally "feeling" that the sugary things I'm tempted by don't even taste that good anymore. I made a first try at a natural sugar dessert today for Easter. After eating some of my pie (which tasted really good), the other things I tried really weren't appealing. I threw most of it away. Hurray!

So as of tonight, I "feel" able to re-start. Wish me luck!

Starting Out

I've been convinced for a long time that I needed to at least eat less sugar, but didn't feel it was possible to give it up. Unfortunately, I didn't seem to be able to eat less either. Then I read the book "Sugar Blues." The book tells about the history of the sugar trade and some of the effects sugar has on the human body. Basically I realized that refined sugar is a drug and the growing and manufacturing of this drug has been supported by governments and lots of money. I felt less guilt about not being able to change my ways before, knowing the deceptive effects sugar has on my mind and body when I eat it. But now I had the motivation and knowledge I needed.

I went off refined sugar on February 8, 2009. That first week I also put into practice some suggestions from "Eat Fat Lose Fat" by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon, and turned off the TV. I knew I didn't need any extra temptation thrown my way by ads. And the other healthy changes in my eating habits would help me start to recover from the effects of all the sugar I'd been eating for so long.

Just being successful at avoiding sugar put me on a high. I lost 4 pounds that week too. I went through various physical stages - a headache for a couple of days, my skin broke out, typical detox signs I think. Every time I got a craving for sugar I would either drink some kombucha or eat something with a little raw honey or fruit. By the end of the week my skin looked better than I remember it ever looking, and I felt great.

Introduction

Like most people in the U.S., I have been eating sugar all of my life. In fact, I'm quite sure I was taking it in before I was born, via my mother. As a child from a poor family, many of the happy moments I remember involve sweets - buying candy when I had a little change given to me, going out to ice cream when my parents could spare the money, holidays loaded with cookies, cakes, pies and of course soda pop. By the time I was a teen-ager I was well on my way to being addicted to sugar. If I could have chocolate cake for breakfast, breakfast was worth eating! Otherwise I could pass that meal up. As an adult with the freedom to buy and eat whatever I chose, sugary foods has always been high on my list, even when I didn't want it to be.

This is the story of one woman's eye-opening decision to kick the sugar habit (refined sugar, that is), and the journey that followed.