The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Hi, Life

It is very expensive to eat well. Actually, processed food is so cheap in the US due to agriculture subsidies, people who eat "real" food are probably paying closer to what it actually is worth. We try to look at it as an investment in our health. Hopefully the additional money we put into our food will be saved in medical bills -- Plus, it is delicious!

There is a lot of science behind those goodies they sell on the shelves.
This is a recent book about it: Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us: Michael Moss: 9781400069804: Amazon.com: Books.

I've also mentioned Lustig's book, Fat Chance.
Here is his video that got him noticed in the first place (long but believe or not, very entertaining b/c he is such a smart aleck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM[/video]]Sugar: The Bitter Truth - YouTube
For a quicker, less science-oriented, more direct approach, this is the first of a 7 part series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0zD1gj0pXk[/video]]The Skinny on Obesity (Ep. 1): An Epidemic for Every Body - YouTube.

Now you're probably sorry you asked for links ! Let me know if you need any more...

Have a great day, everyone. :h NS

lifechange;1570049 wrote: Made it home with some nice relaxing bath salts!

Nosugar, nuts and dried fruit are usually great for me-- but what fascinated me about the last video you posted, was the scientist whose job it is to concoct the perfect addictive mixture of sugar, salt, fat = peanut m&m's, along with thousands of other processed foods. The fact being that once you start on the roller coaster it takes abstinence and hard core will power to get off again. At this point, fruit and nuts unfortunately don't do much for me!!! I know it will become easier but damn! The study with the rats was also so disturbing!-- actually the whole thing freaked me out and really f****** pissed me off. It made me so angry, these ass holes earning trillions of dollars and unwilling to face the music-- what was with this stupid spokeswoman defending the sugar industry? I've been looking at regular labels here now, and it's really true that sugar often isn't listed next to carbs, calories and fat-- gram or percentage wise. GRRRRR.. Aside from the obvious junk food, I've been avoiding processed foods for years and the kids know all of the synonyms for sugar... and I still have problems. When I think of all the low income families, who can't afford "organic", or people who haven't been educated or haven't known it's necessary to translate labels--- or people who just don't have the time or interest? It still should be possible to easily see what it is you're buying, or? I'm so interested in any other disturbing videos/articles you come across!!

Allan, I'm super happy they didn't have your favourite 1000 calorie dessert/treat-- Thank goodness!

[lifechange]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Thanks for that, NS! I agree, good, healthy, whole food is preventative medicine. And I love to cook-- basically food is what I spend most of my money on.
I held off the super hard core cravings today with some very sweet dried mango and I just had a small handful of peanuts and dried cranberries. I drank 3 coffees! Which I actually want to cut back on as well-- but I drink them strong and find that the bitter taste kills my appetite for snacks.

Tomorrow I have 2 goals.
1. Gym at 9am on the dot
2. No Sugar What a great name, by the way.
I'm going to try to get through the first 7 days any way I can. The Byrdie special no matter what and no matter who. I usually take a cake to the open house we're having at the school on Sat., but will instead take a quiche. baby steps, but well intended.

[NoSugar]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Sounds like you've got a plan !

MWO sure is quiet the last few days. I mentioned on another thread that everyone must have gotten cured and left :H (well... Maybe not...)

I like strong coffee, also. That is a vice I'm hanging on to until I have a compelling reason to give it up. I'm pretty skeptical about observational studies in general but I must admit I tend to "believe" the ones that conclude coffee is good for us (Just like I used to use the ones that said red wine was good for heart health to justify drinking it every day).

Talk to you later, NS

lifechange;1570130 wrote: Thanks for that, NS! I agree, good, healthy, whole food is preventative medicine. And I love to cook-- basically food is what I spend most of my money on.
I held off the super hard core cravings today with some very sweet dried mango and I just had a small handful of peanuts and dried cranberries. I drank 3 coffees! Which I actually want to cut back on as well-- but I drink them strong and find that the bitter taste kills my appetite for snacks.

Tomorrow I have 2 goals.
1. Gym at 9am on the dot
2. No Sugar What a great name, by the way.
I'm going to try to get through the first 7 days any way I can. The Byrdie special no matter what and no matter who. I usually take a cake to the open house we're having at the school on Sat., but will instead take a quiche. baby steps, but well intended.

[Londoner]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Morning guys. Today is the first day that I am starting to feel normal again.

I really want to get my dopamine response back to how it should be - happiness from the little things in life. Be able to hold a conversation without anxiety lurking in the background. To smile for real.

The only way that is going to happen is if I stop using things for an easy 'high' - sugar, alcohol, smart phone games etc.

So today is the first morning that I have woken up and not turned to a sugary snack straight away. I visualised how today will go ahead of plan. If I can get through the first 3 days I will be back on track big time.

So my plan is:

- to use intermittent fasting again. This really keeps me on track as my body does not expect food first thing. I will start the day with a nice warm cup of bone broth to give my body the needed nutrients and help improve my gut health.
- strategic use of starches. I will load up on these post workout.
- plenty of low starch veg, protein and fat at other times.
- I am still going to drink caffeine (I can't drop everything at once), but wean myself off as my sugar cravings are controlled.

AND no procrastination. I am going to plan my tasks for the day and get them DONE. It has been far too easy over the last month to mope around on the internet and watching American TV shows in bed.

To be truly happy I need to be productive. And sitting back and using sugar is not going to help me move on and enjoy the real challenges in life.

It's amazing how quickly your feeling can change, and I need to hold these thoughts in my mind.

To an AF & SF life.

[lifechange]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Londoner, you're sounding really good. I think it can be overwhelming at times when we're trying to move into a new way of life-- like you said, it is more difficult than ever to get caught up in easy escapes. It takes discipline, doesn't it? Which has never been one of my strengths-- but slowly, taking baby steps and not being too hard on myself, I'm learning. Better late than never, eh? For me, one of the most valuable lessons is being present in each moment. Especially if I start to become stressed or panicked-- to step back and focus on NOW, not yesterday or tomorrow, calms me.
How's it going at work? Do you work privately with clients or are you employed at a gym? Just being nosy..
I FINALLY got my ass back into the gym today-- by pure force. I tried every trick in the book to get out of it (like I have been for the past 2 weeks!), but the procrastination was really starting to get to me. And of course after a great leg work out I feel like a million bucks. AND it's easier to stay away from the sugar. Imagine that!

Hi to Nosugar, Allan, Byrdie, Free, Skull-- How are you all holding up?

I will be back in awhile...

[skullbabyland]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Good on you Londoner, sounds like a great plan. Remember for your to do list that multi-tasking is overrated- getting 1 to 3 things done well, and as completely as possible, is a better use of time than doing 5-10 things "somewhat". There have been multiple studies showing that human's focus naturally drops off after a couple/few tasks so use that to your advantage

Good luck on your sugar detox, I'm going through the same thing right now.

Life- good job on getting to the gym! Glad the excuses didn't de-rail you! I've found that for me, to stick with a fitness plan, I have to basically put it first in terms of priority and figure everything else around it... otherwise the excuses will drown it.

[Londoner]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Great advice skull. I've realised that after reading a book recently. Do 2 or 3 things will and then move onto another 2 or 3 things.

Life well done on getting back into the gym. Build up some momentum.

Yes, I work for myself love it.

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

I have discovered "Reese's" - OH BOY.....

[skullbabyland]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Uh oh, that sounds like trouble..

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Wrong time to discover heaven for your taste buds...

[lifechange]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Are you talking about the original reese's peanut butter cups? Peanut butter and chocolate is my favourite. Deadly-- That is exactly what all of those scientists have been working on forever-- to make their trillions for the processed food industry! The PERFECT combination of sweet, salty and fat. DAMN them!! The mini ones are the best or the peanut butter chocolate haagen dazs ice cream-- both of which I can't get here-- thank god.--
I'm still fine tuning my plan and will post it here tomorrow. But for today I'm winding down on day 4-- and it is getting easier again. I'm drinking a lovely cinnamon yogi tea-- and I brought my own sugar free cake to the open house at the school today--
baby steps...

[lifechange]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Allan, what the heck is PMA??

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

lifechange;1570873 wrote: Allan, what the heck is PMA??

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

[allankay]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

lifechange;1570872 wrote: Are you talking about the original reese's peanut butter cups? Peanut butter and chocolate is my favourite. Deadly-- That is exactly what all of those scientists have been working on forever-- to make their trillions for the processed food industry! The PERFECT combination of sweet, salty and fat. DAMN them!! The mini ones are the best or the peanut butter chocolate haagen dazs ice cream-- both of which I can't get here-- thank god.--
I'm still fine tuning my plan and will post it here tomorrow. But for today I'm winding down on day 4-- and it is getting easier again. I'm drinking a lovely cinnamon yogi tea-- and I brought my own sugar free cake to the open house at the school today--
baby steps...

Reese's peanut butter cups are incredible. They are only 200 calories per three cups and are not as bad for you nutritionally as other sweets.

I think the only way to overcome them is to eat so many that I will get sick of them for the rest of my life, I do not see any other option.

AK

[Londoner]

The Sugar Free Challenge - Who is in??

Londoner is back guys Motivation for life and work is there.

Now I am back into the swing of things, it is glaringly obvious what causes my sugar binges:

- Nutritional deficiencies. Cured by bumping up fruit & veg intake, having a nice glass of bone broth daily and varying my whole food intake.

- Sleep. A hap hazard sleeping pattern leaves me feeling fatigued.....you can guess the rest.

- Lack of exercise. I believe exercise is far more than a fat loss/muscle gain/fitness tool. I think it balances your hormones and starts to tell your brain what it really wants.

- Hangovers

- Lack of activity or progression in life. So I turn to sugar as a quick comforter.

Allan - Reese's pieces are lush. The scientists have worked a trick on those. Just like the Cadbury's chocolate covered pretzels - the combo of sweet and salty is so moreish.