Hi folks!

It's been a while since I posted - life around here has been a whirlwind of insurance companies, contractors, electricians, and home inspectors as we try to get our place rebuilt before the holidays (for those of you who haven't met me - we had a house fire a couple of months back). But.. lately I've tried something that was just worth posting about.

I've eliminated sugar from my diet.

Entirely. Not just high-sugar foods, or junk foods, or chocolate... but every single scrap that contains anything derived from sugar cane or sugar beet. (And goodness knows they've gotten creative with the labeling. My favorite so far is 'granulated evaporated organic cane juice' otherwise known as... you guessed it... sugar)

It's extreme, I know - but I wanted to know what it feels like. Sugar is, after all, a modern food - and a recent food - and we eat so much of it a day without even knowing it (did you know there's sugar in most prepared mustard, mayo, crackers, salad dressings, the list goes on and on... it's even the /first/ ingredient in most supermarket bran muffins). And that sort of diet modification hasn't been easy, either. But it's been three weeks, now, and the results...

... I'm sleeping better than I have since I was 5
... the pounds are coming off
... I'm so much more relaxed that it's incredible.
... my energy level is high, and constant through the day
... PMS moodswings? Gone.

Mind you, this is on /top/ of the already spectacular difference the Attacking Anxiety program made for me a few years ago, eliminating panic attacks and generalized anxiety completely, letting me drive and get rid of all sorts of crippling fears. But it turns out there was yet another level I could reach - and it's fun to have found it.

I know it's not realistic for most people to cut out sugar entirely. It's pretty tough to do. But you might want to give the labels in your pantry a second look, and do what you can.

It's worth it

I applaud your effort! I have not given up sugar but because of food allergies, I've been trying to eliminate wheat, soy, corn, and peanuts from my diet. I say "trying" because its nearly impossible to eliminate all of it. Like you said you have to really study the labels for hidden allergens.

Making these changes has greatly improved my overall health, not just with sinus type problems (which is mostly how my allergies react) but also with anxiety. I've learned that too much wheat especially will trigger anxiety attacks. Also, I've lost weight and sleep much better.

While I've not eliminated sugar, I have stopped eating junk food, and only buy foods with natural ingrediants. My one weakness is coke - I have not been able to eliminate that. The last time I tried I got really depressed. I don't know whether this was from caffiene withdrawal or what. I am still going to work on that.

Hi Way!

Im very sorry to hear about the housefire. I dont post often either but just wanted to say hi and that I am very glad you are feeling so much better from eliminating all the 'granulated evaporated organic cane juice'.

Take care, Reena

Wow! I am in awe of your disipline! I am inspired. Thank You!
Giselle

Hello
I just wanted to say Hello
I too had a house fire! Part of the reason I am here!
Congratulations on giving up sugar! I would love to get to tht point in my life! Way to Go!
Take Care
PJ

Good for you being able to kick the sugar habit.
I have tried this and continue to try...I am doing better though. I am hypo-glycemic so beating this sugar thing is critical for me. I never realized how addicted I was to it, when you think addicted you think caffiene, cigs. ect...but I literally start withdrawals when I eliminate it from my diet. For a few days I feel extremly tired, edgy ( more than usual), I get the shakes and have severe cravings for it. It is at this pt. I usaully give a little and open up the ice cream and just take a few bites...it is almost like getting a fix then I'm ok for a couple more. I've read that it takes a week or so of being wihtout it for your body to completly be free of it and it's side effects.

Yes sugar is in everything, I read a book " Super nutrition for Women" and it talks alot about sugar and how we don't need it and what to look for...do you know it is even in stamps, hairspray, toothpaste ect...stuff you would never think of. Granted we don't consume these things, but WOW.

Waystone,
My goodness I am so proud of you ! Keep up the great work.

OH MY DO I RELATE AND ADMIRE YOUR COURAGE AND COMMITMENT!
my sugar was a bit high at my last blood test so I know what that means. It is scary to think what that might mean for me in the future.
I am going to try my best to cut it as much as I can. (WHAT DO YOU EAT)just a little panic attack
I will do the footwork for myself as I know thats how it works.
Thanks so much for your post.
Judy

Hi

I also managed to cut out a lot of sugar from my diet. I don't have any cakes, cookies or processed foods in my house. The only sugar I get is a little in my 1 cup of daily coffee and natural fruit sugars in fruit juices and fruit. I lost weight too and notice that anxiety is more manageable too. Except last night I splurged and went to Dairy Queen and had a pecan mudslide sundae. It was so good. I haven't had anything that decadent in so so long. As a result, I was awake until 5 a.m. I had racing thoughts for 3 hours and my mind felt out of control. I kept thinking of my old boyfriend of 13 years ago and all of the nasty things he did. I couldn't get it out of my mind and I haven't really thought about him for years. Then this morning, I kept thinking about stabbing myself in the stomach. I know a wouldn't do it, but I couldn't get this racing thought out of my mind. I think all of this was my body's reaction to sugar. Now I know. So let's all try to eliminate the nasty stuff.