HOW TO STOP EATING SUGAR: Three Days To Freedom
When I first thought about how to stop eating sugar, the idea scared me. It scared me because who doesn’t love sugar? Sugar is in almost everything we buy at the grocery store, so how in the world can we stop? I mean, who doesn’t love that first bite of a warm chocolate chip cookie? The truth is, we all love a warm cookie, but in the end, it does nothing for a healthy body and mind. The bigger truth is that sugar takes more away from us than it gives us.
While some say it takes 21 days to change a habit and 90 days to make it permanent, I believe if we create a new routine and habit, our change can take place in just three days.
The first thing we need to find when we decide to stop eating sugar is our courage. It takes courage to say ‘no’ to that sugary treat after dinner, which is when most of us crave it, because dessert is comforting.
On the first night, I sat on the couch and I could feel the desire to bite into the chocolate chip cookies I made for my husband. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but I knew if I gave into the desire, I would be stuck in the body I no longer wanted. I knew if I wanted to change my body, I would have to change my habits and rituals surrounding the after dinner treat.
When I need to change my diet for a competition, I find the first day and night is always the hardest. My body is acclimating to a different style of eating, different foods, and different workouts all together. I might have a craving or feel particularly hungry or fatigued on that first night, but when I hang in there and choose NOT to give into the sugary urge, I feel exponentially better the next morning. I feel better because I did not give my body sugar, which some health experts call ‘poison’, and I found the courage to change my habit.
Day two is easier because my body is anticipating the change in eating habits and it prepares for its new routine. Instead of that sugary treat after dinner, I grab a piece of peppermint sugar free gum and before I know it, the desire for that sugar is gone. I also choose not to sit on the couch after dinner because that’s where my sugar habit was played out. I stretch while watching TV or dive into a new novel while sitting on the couch with my handsome hubby.
Day three is where it all begins to take shape. I find that I start to crave new foods I’ve been eating and begin to discover how sweet grapefruits really are. Sure, there’s sugar in the grapefruit, but it’s not refined or processed to death.
The secret to stop eating sugar is simply creating a new ritual and find new foods that fill you up and not out.
Although I’m over a year without sugar now, I remember Day 4. I felt like I was trapped in a 5′ x 5′ box. Uncomfortable in my own skin and unable to think.
I took a lot of deep breaths that day. Got a massage from my wife and could barely lay still. I held a chocolate bar and cried.
The good news is that after 20-days I never looked back. The real hold that sugar has on one’s life can’t be recognized until it’s been released.
I was standing in an 18′ diameter yurt last week. I had this image of all the sugar I would have eaten in the past year would have easily filled the floor and probably come up to my knees. Life is good here on the other side. I highlight and bold one of the words from this article: courage.
I am the night before the day I start and I really want to kick this disgusting habit of eating the white stuff so innocent yet so deadly! I skip meals and rely on sugary tea, and chocolate and cakes to get me through the day. I have tried once before but then went on holiday a week after and all my good came undone, how do you not let other people sway you into the darkside?
Help 🙁
I’ve decided tomorrow will be day one no sugar for me.I need this change in my life.I’m stay at home mom of 3 boys.I started going to the YMCA last year and lost 10 pounds ,but
20 month old kept crying in daycare and hubby couldn’t watch little one.No family available either.I gave up on me and just take care of the fam.Now I’m 170lbs!! Help.I can’t even look in mirror discusted.Want to feel healthier,and happier.No more sugar!
Wish me luck! Mekong