Our 28 Day Sugar Fast - Page 3

[cristeen]

We're forgiving!!

For me this is all about making conscious choices. When I'm eating sugar, I eat sugar. I don't think about it, I just do it.

When I'm not eating sugar, I have to make a conscious decision to eat sugar (because there's nothing ready-made in the house). By consciously making the decision, it is self-limiting. When I do it, I'll make one thing (like oatmeal raisin cookies... I actually have the dough in the fridge still from last time), eat one or two (pieces/slices/whatever), it's not as good as I expected/wanted/dreamt, and I'll send it into the office with DH (his colleagues love me : ) so I don't hoover it up myself. Oftentimes just the act of licking the bowl/spatula/beater is enough for me. I even bought special dishes just for DH to transport baked goods to his office.

There are times when I just want to *make* something, I don't even have the desire to eat it. I make it, package it up and send it to my boys. I very rarely keep any of it at home because I know I will binge on it whether I really *want* it or not.

I don't consider this to be an all-or-nothing proposition. I consider it to be a journey towards conscious eating. There are plenty of twists and turns in the path, but one day...

[friendtoall]

Originally Posted by friendtoall

I'm out. I caved on day 11. In a (long) moment of weakness, I made a half a batch of oatmeal cookies, mostly so I could eat the dough. Surprisingly, it didn't taste like anything special - all my daydreaming about it seemed like a waste of time.

I'm not jumping back on the way right away. I like the idea of having sugar-free days. Maybe I'll start there.

Good luck to the rest of you!

Okay, I'm reconsidering. I noticed last night that I have lost an inch off my waist. Could it really be from 11 days without sugar?

I think one of the main reason I wanted to reduce/exclude sugars from my diet is the fact that fat gained from "stress eating" goes straight to our middles and is so hard to lose.

Maybe I'll try again next week...after my birthday!

[porenn]

hey ladies!

I'd like to join!

I've been picking up good info on MDC for a while, but once I saw this thread, decided to stop lurking, because I'll only be held accountable if people know I'm here!

I've been trying to remain sugar free with varying amounts of sucess for about a year- I started in October 2006, didn't notice that much of a difference, until i caved and started eating everything sweet that I could find.... and realized that my migranes, my heartburn, my stuffy head, my insomnia all came back, and I chewed my fingernails to the quick.

*Bleh*

But the kicker came when my doctor told me she thought I had PCOS, and sent me to a fertility specialist who told me that my symptoms were fairly "minor" and that he was certain he could help me- and listed off several drugs that he would like to start with.

Since I don't even like to take asprin for my headachs, my doctor told me to start modifying my diet, or I would probably never get pregnant, which was sufficiantly frightening enough to get me back on track, so one very long run on sentence later, I'm on day three, but I gorged on my fiance's mini Snickers last night, so I guess really, I'm back to day one. Whew!

I'm sorry- introducing myself makes me nervous, so I tend to ramble- who knew it would carry over onto a chat board!

[splunky]

So, today, day 2, hasn't been the best, but we are okay. I did eat some peanut butter, skippy, not even the good kind. Oh-well, better than the big hunk of chocolate that I really want. Right!!?? Focusing on not being perfect, but the best I can do. This way I won't go in an all out binge and "start over tomorrow".
I have so many food intolerances that my restrictions are frustrating sometimes, but I found a whole foods allergy cookbook and got it today. looking forward to trying some of the recipes, will let you know how some come out.

Poreen- Yes, getting the sugar from your diet is a great place to start. When you do concieve and carry your precious little one, a no sugar diet is the best! I did this with #4 and only gained 15lbs!! Then, I lost it all within one week. I didn't have this success with the first 2 and they were almost 10lbs each. Without all the sugar in my diet, the baby was much smaller.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by porenn

But the kicker came when my doctor told me she thought I had PCOS, and sent me to a fertility specialist who told me that my symptoms were fairly "minor" and that he was certain he could help me- and listed off several drugs that he would like to start with.

Since I don't even like to take asprin for my headachs, my doctor told me to start modifying my diet, or I would probably never get pregnant, which was sufficiantly frightening enough to get me back on track, so one very long run on sentence later, I'm on day three, but I gorged on my fiance's mini Snickers last night, so I guess really, I'm back to day one. Whew!

Welcome!

This is the exact reason I'm sugar-free. To conceive last time took Metformin, Clomid and HcG. Metformin seriously messed me up. The other 2 were minor in comparison. We're TTC again and I will not go back on Met unless we've tried everything else first!! So that means no sugar and no grains (and limited potatoes). I see the RE again in 5 weeks, and I'm hoping for a BFP before then.

For PCOS info, there's a PCOS tribe in the FYT section with lots of info.


Splunky - peanut butter isn't a big deal, so long as there was no jelly involved. Do check the label for hidden sugars though, some of them are sweetened. I actually made my own peanut butter (for the first time ) last weekend out of necessity, and then discovered that it's cheaper for me to make it than to buy it, and DH actually likes it better.

Friendtoall - it is absolutely possible!! Consider how many sugar calories you didn't ingest in those 11 days. Not to even mention the sugar carbs! 1 cup of sugar has 774 calories and 200 carbs!!

[beansavi]

Originally Posted by friendtoall

I'm out. I caved on day 11. In a (long) moment of weakness, I made a half a batch of oatmeal cookies, mostly so I could eat the dough. Surprisingly, it didn't taste like anything special - all my daydreaming about it seemed like a waste of time.

I'm not jumping back on the way right away. I like the idea of having sugar-free days. Maybe I'll start there.

Good luck to the rest of you!

Hey... I have been "caving in" for 40 years! I wouldn't consider eating sugar to be off of the thread or "program". Just a momentary lapse.

Originally Posted by splunky

Well, it's been a while since my first post about joining. Mainly because I caved about 5 hrs into the first day.
Then it took my a good couple of days, of eating everything in sight, to realize this is rediculous! So, I had my first full day of sugar free yesterday Yeah me, I did it!
Working on today and doing well so far. i too find that I am eating everything in sight to fill that need for "something".
Looking forward to reporting my progress and findings with all, you are doing so great and are an inspiration.

Yay! I am moving beyond wanting to eat everything all the time---I think. Like, I took the kids to the movies at lunch time today and actually forgot to eat lunch until arounf 3;00. What? ME? WTH?

DH says I just look healthier. My nose isn't runny, either.:

Cristeen, I forget which brand the cranberries are...but I WILL look tomorrow when I go to the GS.

[neveryoumindthere]

i'm interested in reading more on the connection btwn eating sugar and gaining weight specifically in the middle...
the past 2 weeks for whatever odd reason i'm am CRAVING and EATING sweets like nobody's business....I also have been complaining for about the same amt of time that i look AT LEAST 4-5 months pregnant! I'm normally a size 5 so i'm fairly petite it's just my belly that's gotten so much flabbier and bigger..
i'm definitely up for this challenge..i did the 21 day challenge a few months back and literally didnt have a speck of sugar it was soooooooooooo awesome..but then cheesecake came along and it was over and never got back on track since then though i greatly reduced the amt..

also, any good books with recipes (baking) using honey?

[kamesennin]

.

[BusyMommy]

ah, just signed on but have to go. Snack crisis w/kids. THey're hungry but not in the mood for carrots or beans. Can't say I blame them. Wish fruit were okay.

Cristeen, YES, please PM me the recipe!!

I plan to make the egg muffins.

Got a good recipe for for salad dressing--basically a caesar but gotta run

snacks are the hardest no matzo crackers, no rice cakes, no fruit...

[Shazer]

Hi Ladies . . . I just wanted to give you a big thumbs up for your efforts. You can do it! Once your bodies get rid of the toxins, you should be amazed at how much energy you have.

I went low-carb four years ago and I cured most of my PCOS symptoms, including severe reactive hypoglycemia. It took me three weeks to cure hypoglycemia on a low-carb diet, but it was like I had a new body. It isn't easy all the time to deal with cravings, but it can be done. And don't be too hard on yourself if you have some sugar. Especially when stressed, I've returned to wanting sugar and have indulged, especially in ice cream. Alas.

A great no sugar sweet snack is berries. They are full of antioxidants and so good for you. Blueberries and raspberries are great with whole milk yogurt or by themselves. Nuts, too, are a great snack. I enjoyed making custards with berries, too. I found in the beginning that stevia made me crave sugar but I don't have that problem anymore. Also, you may find that if you still eat a lot of foods that don't have sugar, but have really high carbs like potatoes, you might have some cravings. Everyone has their own trip foods.

Also, someone mentioned ketosis. For a little blurb about it, I suggest looking at The Atkins Diet Revolution. Ketosis isn't a bad state for your body to be in despite what a lot of doctors tell you. In many traditional cultures, everyone was always in ketosis. Think of the Eskimos. Prior to being introduced to Western foods, they were incredibly healthy on a diet of mostly fatty fish.

Sorry to ramble. Best of luck with cutting out the sugar!!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by beansavi

Cristeen, I forget which brand the cranberries are...but I WILL look tomorrow when I go to the GS.

That would be fabulous, thank you!

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

i'm interested in reading more on the connection btwn eating sugar and gaining weight specifically in the middle...

From your description, I would guess that the sugar is exacerbating something else. That may be yeast (candida) overgrowth, a hormone imbalance, or any number of other things I have no idea about.

Honestly, if you're craving sugar that hard, the first thing I would look at is what you're eating that has HFCS in it. It hides in all sorts of things. Even Worcestershire sauce (most brands) has it. So long as these hidden sources of sugar continue to be eaten, cutting white sugar out isn't going to effect the changes you're looking for. HFCS is known for triggering cravings. It can also be called glucose-fructose syrup.

Originally Posted by pbandj

Oh my god this thread is TOTALLY what I need! I am so sick of the extra weight and I think this is my problem!!! Someone should hit me in the head with that smiley. Ok I'll be back to read the whole thread.

Let me help.

Better?

Originally Posted by BusyMommy

snacks are the hardest no matzo crackers, no rice cakes, no fruit...

I know you're off fruit and all sweets. I'm suspecting you're off dairy, is that right (all dairy or just some?)? How about nuts? What else are you off? I"ll see if I can figure out some snacks for your LOs.

Can they have hummus? I know baba ghanouj is out (eggplant).

Originally Posted by Shazer

Ketosis isn't a bad state for your body to be in despite what a lot of doctors tell you. In many traditional cultures, everyone was always in ketosis. Think of the Eskimos. Prior to being introduced to Western foods, they were incredibly healthy on a diet of mostly fatty fish.

Definitely! I feel great when I'm in ketosis. And Atkins' book had some great info on it. Unfortunately I find it very difficult to get there. But really, so long as you're eating fruits and veggies and grains the likelihood of maintaining ketosis is fairly small.

[wife&mommy]

Can I join you all? I know I'm late but I really need this!

I have a terrible yeast problem, and I am pg again, and I REALLY don't want to live with thrush for 14 months like I did with my first! He nursed longer but for some reason it cleared up at 14 months. Anyway, that is my main motivation but also because being pg I'd like to almost be on a diabetes type diet because it runs in my family.

Do you all cutting sugar still eat white rice? My family loves red beans and rice, but not with brown rice! We eat it about once a week, but regular rice. Anyone else doing this with regular rice?

[beansavi]

Originally Posted by neveryoumindthere

i'm interested in reading more on the connection btwn eating sugar and gaining weight specifically in the middle...
the past 2 weeks for whatever odd reason i'm am CRAVING and EATING sweets like nobody's business....I also have been complaining for about the same amt of time that i look AT LEAST 4-5 months pregnant! I'm normally a size 5 so i'm fairly petite it's just my belly that's gotten so much flabbier and bigger..
i'm definitely up for this challenge..i did the 21 day challenge a few months back and literally didnt have a speck of sugar it was soooooooooooo awesome..but then cheesecake came along and it was over and never got back on track since then though i greatly reduced the amt..

also, any good books with recipes (baking) using honey?

This is exactly the same as me! My stomach muscles poke out due to having 3 ten pound babies...but there is also a lot of flab mostly in that area. I think part of it is hereditary, but also stress causes your body to store fat in the abdominal area. My stress is a lot better now, but it used to be super high a lot. I am cutting out the sugar since I seem to have a natural pre-disposition to storing belly fat, which can raise estrogen levels in the body, since the fat there stores estrogen.

Bla bla bla.

I'd love to hear some good cookbook recommendations, too.

[beansavi]

Originally Posted by pbandj

Oh my god this thread is TOTALLY what I need! I am so sick of the extra weight and I think this is my problem!!! Someone should hit me in the head with that smiley. Ok I'll be back to read the whole thread.

[beansavi]

Originally Posted by BusyMommy

ah, just signed on but have to go. Snack crisis w/kids. THey're hungry but not in the mood for carrots or beans. Can't say I blame them. Wish fruit were okay.
Got a good recipe for for salad dressing--basically a caesar but gotta run

snacks are the hardest no matzo crackers, no rice cakes, no fruit...

We are here for you while you figure this out. Boy you sure are a strong, good mama! Your kids are lucky!

Originally Posted by Shazer

Hi Ladies . . . I just wanted to give you a big thumbs up for your efforts. You can do it! And don't be too hard on yourself if you have some sugar. Especially when stressed, I've returned to wanting sugar and have indulged, especially in ice cream. Alas.

A great no sugar sweet snack is berries. They are full of antioxidants and so good for you. Blueberries and raspberries are great with whole milk yogurt or by themselves. Nuts, too, are a great snack. I enjoyed making custards with berries, too. I found in the beginning that stevia made me crave sugar but I don't have that problem anymore. Also, you may find that if you still eat a lot of foods that don't have sugar, but have really high carbs like potatoes, you might have some cravings. Everyone has their own trip foods.

Also, someone mentioned ketosis. For a little blurb about it, I suggest looking at The Atkins Diet Revolution. Ketosis isn't a bad state for your body to be in despite what a lot of doctors tell you. In many traditional cultures, everyone was always in ketosis. Think of the Eskimos. Prior to being introduced to Western foods, they were incredibly healthy on a diet of mostly fatty fish.

Sorry to ramble. Best of luck with cutting out the sugar!!

Ramble on! Welcome and I found your post to have a lot of great information. And I had a Quaker granola bar with mini chocolate chips in it last night. 7 grams of sugar. ARG! But I am still doing so much better than I was before I began!

Originally Posted by wife&mommy

Can I join you all? I know I'm late but I really need this!

I have a terrible yeast problem, and I am pg again, and I REALLY don't want to live with thrush for 14 months like I did with my first! He nursed longer but for some reason it cleared up at 14 months. Anyway, that is my main motivation but also because being pg I'd like to almost be on a diabetes type diet because it runs in my family.

Do you all cutting sugar still eat white rice? My family loves red beans and rice, but not with brown rice! We eat it about once a week, but regular rice. Anyone else doing this with regular rice?

Welcome! Keep posting how you are feeling/doing. It helps me a lot to hear others' journey.

[beansavi]

http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=7016

nak

hey cristeen! unsweetened, organic dried cranberries!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by beansavi

http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=7016

nak

hey cristeen! unsweetened, organic dried cranberries!

Wonderful!! Fabulous!! Stupendous!!

Thank you so much bean!

I'm sitting here eating my breakfast (it's lunch-time, I know). DH seems to be on a honey-mustard kick so I whipped up some honey-mustard salad dressing, tossed in the fresh mixed greens I got at the farmer's market yesterday, some bacon, the leftover fried chicken, cheddar and heirloom tomatoes. And even DH likes it! He usually gripes when I try to feed him salads.

How're you doing this morning, BusyMommy?

wife&mommy I had terrible yeast when I was pg too. My diet didn't change but the hormone changes combined with the crappy diet I was eating made for a major yeast overgrowth. Aside from the yeast, a sugar-free diet is great for the baby.

I actually stopped eating white rice about a year ago. I found a brown rice we actually like better (I'd always hated brown rice before). Right now I'm not eating any grains. How about mixing white and brown rice 50/50? Will they go for that? I would also suggest going to the HFS or wherever has bulk rice and buying just a 1/2 cup of each brown rice until you find one you like. That's what I did. Some of them have a lot stronger flavor than others.

[wife&mommy]

cristeen - thanks! I hadn't thought about mixing it, I might try that until they can stand it! LOL The yeast is bad this time around! I knew it would be but recently its been worse and I know the sugar free diet would be good all around not just because of the yeast. I've already cut out a lot but need to go all the way with it!

Another question... my DS requested banana muffins. I don't mind making these, and the receipe I use has whole wheat flour, applesauce, and just a small amount of sugar (and he's not sugar free, but close as I don't like to feed him junk) and I'd like to know how much honey to use to replace it in the recipe. Does anyone know the conversion for that? Then he can enjoy them and I won't feel bad giving him sugar! We do have 5 bananas that we need to use up that are going bad.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by wife&mommy

cristeen - thanks! I hadn't thought about mixing it, I might try that until they can stand it! LOL The yeast is bad this time around! I knew it would be but recently its been worse and I know the sugar free diet would be good all around not just because of the yeast. I've already cut out a lot but need to go all the way with it!

To get rid of the yeast, you may also need to cut out the refined grains. Yeast tends to like them as well. White flour and rice are the two that come to mind. You may also have to limit your fruit intake. Yeast isn't picky, it'll take any source of sugar it can get including lactose (milk).

Here's some tips on substituting honey: http://www.homebaking.org/foreducato...kinghoney.html

[wife&mommy]

Thanks cristeen. We are currently trying to be dairy free as well since DS is sensitive to i. I do limit my fruit intake already simply because I don't like that many fruits. But you are right, it likes any sugar it can get! But less has to be better! I not so long ago was a soda addict but I've cut that out so that was a big step for me. Bread is my next favorite food so that one is really hard, but luckily I do like whole wheat. I just have to limit it and try to eat as little as possible of it. I would like to mostly cut the habits not just to foods so that's what I'm ultimately going for.
I'm making soup for dinner. Normally I would have bread with it but we are skipping that tonight of course.