OK, I’m going to give this a try this year.  I’m actually starting today because our trick or treat night was last Thursday and I’ve eaten so much candy the last few days that I don’t even want to look at it!  Sugar addiction has been such a challenge for me my whole life.  I know it’s held me back in so many ways.  I really want to do it this time.  Good luck to everyone else out there doing this too! Thanks David for the inspiration!
Amy

I’m in, but today I’m eating candy and cookies!  Gonna be a long work out tomorrow at the gym!

Hi,
I just started following this blog.  I’m going to attempt the holiday challenge.

I’ve had some candy today (the caloric equivalent of 2.5 regular size candy bars) and I could totally eat some more, but I’ve learned (over the years) that my hunger for sugar will never be satiated.

We’re on!

Day 3!  I’m soooo tired!  Doesn’t help that I started a new job today . . . what was I thinking . . . I guess there’s never a perfect time to do this.  Looking forward to being clear-headed and energetic.

Amy

Drink lots of water. Eat “real” and good food. Fruit is okay. Walk around. It gets better…

I’m happy to report that I’ve been doing well for the last two days.  From previous attempts I know that I’m more likely to cave when I’m around friends and family. To prepare myself, I’ve been imagining scenarios where I will be offered something sweet and I will say “No, thank you”.

Good Luck!

Amy:  You are right, there is never a “good” time bc we can always make an excuse…job, no job, relationship, no relationship, etc.  Hang in there for just right now! 

Maham:  Glad you are doing well and good idea on pre planning your response!

Expect to be made fun of. Whatever. They have no power over your choice!

Thanks for the encouragement, still going strong on day 5! 

Good Luck Suzanna and Maham!

Amy

The weekends can be tough. How’s it going?

Wasn’t easy, but still hanging on!

Amy, you’re rocking it!

Maham & Suzanna, you’ve got me worried. Usually when someone doesn’t comment after having committed to a sugar challenge it’s because they ate sugar. Perhaps that’s not the case, but even if it is remember that this is a challenge and not a win/lose type thing. Just start again. If you’re just busy then we’ll hear from you whenever you’re ready… Keep rolling Amy! Anyone else, please join us at any time.

Great work, Amy.  Hang tough! 

Ah yes.  Silence can be deafening.  Actually I have been quite busy and not on- line much outside work; however, that being said, I would have found time I am sure had I not eaten sugar on Sunday.  Aack! 

The funny thing about the addictive thinking is that I didn’t even really plan it but ate tortilla chips (always a trigger for more carbs/sweets) and then decided I would simply eat sugar on the weekends only.  I really believed that lie. 

It’d be funny if it didn’t make me so mad at myself…because of course once I ate it Sunday, I did Monday and today.  Aack again! 

Soooo, rather than throw the baby out with the bath water, I will just start again beginning right now!  Really this is better than I usually do which is give up for a period of weeks til I’ve made myself so sick of eating in in advance of a new “start” date. 

Glad I have friends who cheer me on regardless.  Thanks for y’alls support.  It’s weird this is so similar to how hard it was for me to quit drinking.  Before that “stuck” it took a good ten years.  I can’t face fighting this sugar for that long.  Surely, surely I can just be willing to let go.

Yes, it takes some doing. Glad you’re not giving up! I was on and off for a few years before settling into my annual sugar abstinence plan. Everyone is different. Maybe you’ll fair better to create a set of parameters for yourself—something you feel you could confidently keep to.

i hope this is ok - as i am a few days late in joining- but would love to join in your challenge with you.  I am a big time sugar addict :( .....today is my last binge.  ...this will be VERY VERY hard for me - as i am sure you all can relate- but i need to do this - or i will continue on this downward spiral of unhappyness and unhealthiness.  I appreciate your support and will cheer you all on as well.  thank you.

Great idea! I’m in.  I’ve actually done this before over the holidays. It is amazing how wonderful you feel when you stop eating sugar.

Good luck to everyone on this challenge. I give you a lot of credit and I’m happy to support you any way I can, because I know from personal experience how challenging it can be.

Hi Jen and Mary Ann! Welcome! Glad you’re joining us. Everyone and anyone reading, please feel free to post at anytime. Finding strength through community is what the Holiday Sugar Challenge is all about.

Hi guys!  Yes I know it’s been a few days since I last posted.  Luckily I did not fall off the wagon.  I think what really helps me is that I truly realize that I cannot handle large amounts of sugar.  I can eat fruit, maybe sprinkle a little granola on my unsweetened yogurt but I cannot eat cakes, cookies and granola bars without giving in wholesale to all sugary foods.

Good luck to everyone!

I can’t exactly do this challenge the way it’s set up. It’s too hard for me to be on again, off again with sugar. Having sugar even once is like an alcoholic having “one drink”. To try and keep reintroducing sugar into my body and then taking it out again is a huge struggle that I usually fail at! Unless it’s total abstinence… like what I’m doing now.

SO~ I will be doing a no sugar thing for all of the upcoming holidays!! Because, of course, I will always be off of it (sugar). In fact, this will be my first Christmas without sugar ~ if I can make it!

Good luck to everyone doing this!! I’m rooting for you! :D

Hanamiya,
Good luck to you as well.  Your point struck home with me.  Although I’m excited to know that I’ll allow myself to eat dessert on Thanksgiving, I’m wondering if I will backslide after eating all that sugar.  Part of me doesn’t want to tempt fate.  I’ve kind of put this on the back burner.  I’ll see what happens on Thanksgiving and more importantly, what happens the next day.

Hanamiya,,

I can relate- I have stopped sugar before, and think, “ok now I can have a just a little and control it”.  However,  slowly but surely it sneaks back into my life full throttle and i am eating 2-3+ boxes of cookies at a sitting and feeling miserable.  Each time i start, it is harder than before to stop.  This time has been particularily hard.  This is my >10th time trying to stop in the past 2 months.  This is hard on the ego

I have never tried infrequent specific stop/start times though as David does- I am uncertain what I am going to do - long term.  I like his plan as then there are specific stop/start times and I do not feel deprived- but I am not sure yet if I can get there “safely”.  Maybe in 2012?? ... But, then again, maybe I am fooling myself and playing with danger? I do not want to be in this place again….  I am uncertain if it has to be all or nothing with me too .....
What I do know… is that this Thanksgiving is too soon for me to have any sugar (as I am starting day 1 today)- so I am going to stay sugar free at Thanksgiving and I think I should at Christmas too. I want at least 6 weeks - no sugar.  I am writing this so that I stay honest and committed.  It also helps to have a “support team” of people who have the same goals and understand. Thank you!
Together we can do this!!!......

Day 1 is going well so far- the real test is a really busy work day tomorrow surrounded by sweets - aargh!!

This is getting exciting!

I agree with the many comments on how challenging it will be to have sugar on the holiday and then abstain again. From prior experience I know that the first day (or two) is almost the most difficult.

I will make the decision when the times comes, I guess. Look at me - I’m already planning on cheating. Our family has a four day Thanksgiving celebration, and we make the best chocolate chip cookies in the world on Saturday night.  How can I say no?

OK, how about a compromise. No sugar on Thanksgiving and I’ll have a cookie on Saturday instead. Does that still maintain the integrity of the challenge?

Mary Ann, do you feel good about your plan? If so, go with it and see how it works.

David,

Thank you for your blogs and tips- they are inspiring and helpful!

Sad to say I fell off the wagon just now.  :( There were cookies in the staff kitchen that I managed to ignore yesterday and for most of today.  But at some point I just decided I had to have some.  I ate two large cookies.  I’m dissapointed but to be honest, this is the longest I’ve gone not eating sugar so I’m making progress.  I just hope that I can eat clean tonight and wake up tomorrow not craving.  I’ll let you know what happens!

Maham- you can do it!!  stay strong the rest of the day - you are doing great!!!  perfection is not the key - like you said, you are making progress, reflect, learn and be proud that you are going to stop at 2 and be clean the rest of the day.  how will u feel next week if you stop at just 2? pretty proud i bet - -  BE STRONG!!  try to stay away from sweets the rest of the day…. do NOT give into the all or nothing mentality at this point!!  Hang in there!  keep us posted…. we are rooting for you!!

Maham, you’re not alone.  Progress not perfection. 

For me too, I can’t contemplate what I can or can’t have on a specific date in the future…rather just staying abstinent from the sugar right now which is really the only time there ever is!

I am in!  Day 4 with no sugar, and it is undeniably better.  Not woozy, grumpy or craving.  Except for moments of weakness in around birthday cakes in my office, I feel strong.  Good luck every body!

no sugar - who hoo! day 2!  I survived the temptations at work- and there were lots of them!! 

quick ?:  what about sugar in wine and or a light beer.? Is this bad…. Do you think it would be ok to limit it to 0-1 glass (1 serving size) a day ... is this ok? —- or would I be “playing with fire” - any thoughts on experience?

Suzanna and Jen,

Thanks for the encouragement.  I managed to stay away today. 

Jen and Maggie- great to hear you guys do well.

Good luck to all.

The longer you go the easier it gets. Once you get a bit of time behind you the stakes get higher when it comes to being tempted. Do you really want to break X amount of days?

As for drinking, Jen, that is up to you. I don’t drink so I can’t talk from experience. However, if you’re questioning it perhaps try going without and see what you see. As someone who doesn’t drink I can assure you that there are insights to be had when hanging around drinkers!

Also, we’re at the easiest time right now. Thanksgiving is difficult and then there are holiday parties, which is VERY tricky to navigate and often require planning. Consider this time—mess ups and all—like training for what’s to come…

Hi everyone,
It sounds like everyone is doing pretty well.  This really is a challenge.  It’s been almost two weeks for me and I have to admit I had a couple slips.  I’m not giving up though.  I really want to do this.  The first one was when my new boss gave me a glass of sweetened iced tea which I felt compelled to drink. I don’t really like my new job so I really wish I would’ve just said no thank you!  Then my husbands birthday was this week and I had to make the cake and we went out to dinner.  (I might just make family birthdays sugar-days.)  Yesterday and so far today has gone well so we’ll see.  Good luck to everyone WE CAN DO THIS!!  Thanks again David!

Amy

What famous sports start won every single time? None. The fumbles from last game makes us play harder the next. Each encounter with sugar = Us vs. Sweets! Or is that Us vs. Ourselves? Good luck this weekend…

Hey all. I’ve been following this blog for a few years as I’ve gone back and forth with trying to stop being sweet. Got in on this year’s Holiday Sugar Challenge from the jump. Day 12 without sweets and whew… I am feeling a little desperate. I don’t give in because 1) I know I can do this, 2) I’m taken with the idea of such a sustainable plan, 3) I want my “unsweet” life back, 4) I know I’m not alone. I’ll check in from time to time. Find me on Twitter if you’d like, @La_Redactrice. Be forewarned: I do not behave.

Hang in there!

David,

i appreciate your last post greatly!!  It applies to so many challenges in life as well as the one against sugar… It was just what i needed to hear today!  THANK YOU!

....day 4 is going good so far .  Nice job Meredith!

One week in - was I perfect? No!

Am I pleased with my progress and confident I can do this? Definitely.

I’m so happy to break the addiction during the holidays.  I look forward to going into this holiday season knowing I am in total control over what I eat.

We’re almost a week away from Thanksgiving so—whenever you feel tempted—know that you can have something sweet on November 24th. Sometimes procrastination is a good thing!

Wow - I just finished making my Christmas candy. I make about 100 pounds of chocolates that I give as gifts.

I’m always so proud of myself when I’m able to make the candy without eating any. Now that’s some self control!

And you didn’t sample any? That’s amazing! As an aside, you might not want to advertise on the Internet that your house currently has 100 pounds of chocolate in it because someone might break in and eat it all.

I’m not worried about that David, because everyone reading this is sugar free!  Right!?!?

Besides, it won’t be in the house for long - it will all be gone by Thanksgiving.

On day 8 ....
i like your article on sugar sweetners.  Thanks! I stay away from them myself (except a rare bit of green stevia in my tea)- i beat that addiction 2 years ago- that was another really tough one—- now the stuff just tastes like chemicals - amazing that I thought it tasted good at the time!

Thanks Jen. How’s it going everyone? This week is boring, right? Ready for next week?

Last night I dreamt I was at a big resort. They had a sweet shop loaded with delicious treats. I kept trying to break away from the group of people I was with to get to the store and stock up.  I never made it. So I’m still sugar free, right? Does eating in my sleep count?

Dreams do NOT count!

Dreaming about eating sweets is a good thing, and VERY common when you stop being sweet!

no - not boring or easy!! I like your optimistic thinking though

on day 12 ...and it is very hard- but sticking to it - too many days on the (+) to turn back now….

I did dream of sweat treats too- the first 2 days or so that i stopped…. interesting—- good to hear that i am normal - ha ha!!

I enjoyed hearing your voice! A great challenge. I’m making some things I can take to my daughter’s where we will all gather for Thanksgiving, and there will be plenty of sweets, but I will have some goodies to share, too. I don’t find I miss the sweets like I thought I would at one time, but since I love turkey, it’s treat day anyway.

“sugar plums” are dancing in my head!

Happy Thanksgiving! Wow, it’s here already! That means we’re just days way from New Year’s Eve. Let’s check in.

Who made it this far completely sugar free? Anyone going straight through? Who completely lost it? Whatever happened, let us know. If you messed up then just start again. If the “rules” aren’t working for you, alter them and make up something you feel you can do.

I sincerely hope you have/had a nice holiday break. Looking forward to the next few weeks as they’re the real challenge…

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  It’s here, wow.  Hope everyone is doing well.  I’ve done very well myself and want to keep this up.  I am planning to eat pumpkin and apple pie later.  Yes, the real challenge of Christmas begins!!!  I’m worried about the cookies, one day at a time I guess!

Hi all you sweet unsweeties!
I joined the challenge on November 7th after reading david’s website and was totally inspired. I have battled this thing my entire life, and quit sugar a few times for a couple of months. Then it comes back even stronger! So I’m posting because I’m not treally a joiner, but will want help when the going gets tough. I am starting to feel deprived now, after 2.5 weeks sugar free. So on Saturday when we celebrate thanksgiving, I really want to have dessert and then go back on Sunday to NO SUGAR!
Thank you David for your sharing, and creating this community!

It went good for me.  I had some real maple syrup in the pumpkin pie (otherwise sugar free) today.  YUMMY!!

I had real maple syrup 3 times in the 3 weeks of sugar free and 1 x raw honey in different recipes.  So not perfect, but I will take it   I also had a glass of red wine or a light beer a 1-3 days a week… (not sure if this is good to continue yet or not??)

We made these yummy date, raw almond, coconut rolls that are awesome (help the sweet cravings) - but i have to be careful it is too easy for me to eat too many.. not sure if this is a good thing or bad to continue….

good luck Michele - I can SO RELATE!!!  I am rooting for you and everyone else too…..

Now, no more sweets ‘till Christmas! This will be TOUGH!!  I think I need to clean it up a bit more… this will be my focus until Christmas….

I went to a show tonight, which included dinner and dessert. It was difficult and tempting. Thank goodness they had cheese and veggies! I survived.

Commented in the wrong section before, but I just saw this challenge last night. Today begins day 1 for me. I definitely know that it has to be all or nothing for me. Gonna fight the cravings and embrace being uncomfortable.

sethb, make sure to eat replacement foods and drink lots of water!

Please let me know if I can do anything to help all of you. Do you have questions? 

We’re getting into the hardest time right now. You might have already experienced how difficult it is. Keep in touch, even if you’re completely binging on sweets. Communicating does make it easier!

Oh yeah!! I blew it Friday big time at work -chips, cookies, more cookies, and did I say….more cookies??  i see where I went wrong and how to do better…...Back on track this weekend, not perfect - but much better! Back on day 1 tomorrow (I had some real maple syrup today)..... Funny how easy it was to fall right back into old bad habits… and how hard they are to break….  Binging sucks!.... stay strong everyone!!

Had a bad binge in the middle of the night last night. Gotta fight the cravings and step away from the kitchen. All it takes is one bite. Getting back up today and going to break the addiction.

I’m struggling with the “want to” right now.  When abstaining from sugar, I feel great physically, mentally, & spiritually.  Then a day comes that I think my gosh, I gave up smoking and drinking a few years ago, what’s wrong with a little sweet treat?  Problem is that the treat is NEVER little!  I am praying for willingness right now….  I always “want to” after I’ve eaten a ton of sugar but seem to forget the “want to” when it’s been a while…Aack.  Confusion.

jen, yes old habits are hard to break! Consider we’ve been eating sweets freely for however many years.

sethb, that’s good. Now there are less sweets in your house. Once they’re gone don’t get any more. When you want to eat sweets eat something else.

Suzanna, remember that you can eat whatever you want on New Year’s Eve, and if you choose everyday thereafter. But you joined this challenge for a reason. Remember that reason when you’re tempted.

Everyone, make sure you eat something else when you want sweets! This is key.

I gave up on myself and have had a horrible past two days. I keep trying to convince myself that I can eat it in moderation like so many others I see, and that trying to abstain is going to make me want it even more. I know though that I am truly addicted and it is ruining my life. I haven’t felt this bad in a long time. I also have a gluten and dairy allergy which doesn’t make it easier. At night is where I always lose it most. I literally wake up after falling asleep for a few hours and crave sugar. I know this day is more than half over, but I need everyone who reads this to hold me accountable.

My small goal right now is just to make it from now till 4 pm tomorrow with no sweets. One step at a time. I will conquer this before the New Year. I will post my success around this time tomorrow. Time to face my demons.

Right, David.  I forgot it’s not forever!  lol Also, I forgot your book talked about eating something else when craving sweets.  Usually, I am not hungry when I crave sweets anyway since I usually eat them after dinner, but it’s better to “substitute” for now I agree.  Thanks!

Sethb:  I’m praying for you.

sethb, you said, “I will conquer this before the New Year.” I say, NO YOU WON’T. It will take you over a year to gain a sense of control over this and you still will have to deal with it after six years. I do. Have I conquered it? No. I manage it. It’s taken you a lifetime to eat the way you do so it’s not going to come undone in three weeks. Avoiding sugar is a skill.

Go to the store and purchase Larabars. Make sure to read the label and buy only the ones that have no added sugars. From now on that’s the only kind of sweet you should eat. You’ll probably eat a bunch of them, that’s to be expected. Eat them instead of the other junk. Keep them at work and at home. This is your first step. And DRINK WATER!

Everyone keep in mind that these weeks are the HARDEST time to avoid sugar out of the whole year. Look at your successes. Consider that you’ve already eaten less sugar simply by taking part in the challenge. 

With the stakes growing higher, it’s time to STOP BEING SWEET!

Very true, I guess I meant manage it for the upcoming month. I am trying to get back in shape and stick to only whole foods. Last night was another fall, but today has been good so far. I have gained a lot of weight lately and have never been more fed up, so yet again I’m setting the simple goal of just making it through that first day (which would be today and tonight) with no sugar. I did have a small amount of peanut butter, my other vice, but stopped myself and thought of your article about willpower vs just taking action. As others have said, it’s so nice to know others share a sugar addiction and are fighting it as well.

David,
Thank you for your Nov 29th post- that is powerful to me. ... To hear that it is ok to fail…. as we will ( it is that TOUGH to beat sugar… we are not failures or weak when we fall to sugar)....

...but when we fall.. to get back up and FIGHT again!!!.... that it takes an entire year to get “better at fighting it”....

... it sucks to hear at 6 years you still have to “fight it” but - refreshing that it may be more manageable - it sounds like - that it maybe easier to resist??  I HOPE…... 

back on day 3 of no sugar and doing better… still very very hard! expecially when tired and/or stressed.  Good luck everyone!!

There must be a way to make all of this fun. What can we do to make getting off sugar enjoyable?

Six years in and it certainly is easier, but the holidays make it hard. I want to let my guard down. THANK YOU all for helping me.

sethb, how did you do yesterday?

it is fun to be sugar free- the feeling is a natural high on life- it is worth the fight!!

sethb, I read my response to you and it seems like I’m yelling. I’m not. There’s a danger in thinking that an entire lifetime of conditioning can be unraveled in a matter of weeks. It’s setting yourself up for failure, which is addiction talking.

No I completely agree with you and understand. I guess what my main goal is right now is to develop habits of eating. I just want to feel as if I am in control of myself rather than being a slave to food/sugar.

I haven’t abstained completely but have been getting better. Haven’t touched my roommates’ box of cinnamon chex, which as ridiculous as it sounds was my downfall every night as just one bite would cause a whole box to be consumed, and resulted in gaining 10 lbs in a week and a half. I would then have to buy him a new box the following morning. Peanut butter is my next trigger food to conquer. I had some tonight, but not a whole jar and not a binge as others were around. Consistency is what I need, and embracing and facing that feeling of being uncomfortable. Success can only happen in a positive state of mind and only when you have no doubts that you’re capable of achieving something. As you said in your book, you just have to TAKE ACTION. I will take action for the next 3 days and abstain 100% to grow mentally stronger every day. Your support is monumental to me, so to everyone again, thanks.

I love peanut butter too. What kind are you eating? Does it make you want to eat more PB or other sweets?

It makes me want to eat more PB and sweets as well. Even if I get the all natural kinds (Smuckers).

I am sad to say I did not make it through the night and had yet another binge. I’m trying to stay positive and convince myself that I’m capable but I’m at my heaviest weight and feel worse than I ever have before.

sethb, you’re slowly figuring it out and learning about yourself. Why do you binge at night? What replacement food could you eat instead of sweets?

jen, suzanna, Michele, Amy, Nan, Mary Ann, Meredith, Maham, Maggie, Hanamiya, how are you doing?

Keep in touch!

All well here although with somechristmas gatherings approaching, we’ll see.  It’s really not the sweets that initially test me…rather chips and/or other flour products like biscuits (white flour) which cause me later to desire sweets.  if I stay away from the trigger foods I am ok…all bets are off if not! 

Sethb, you might want to check out “Food Addiction: The Body Knows” by Kay Sheppard and check out http://www.foodaddicstsanonymous.org

I have found the data here very interesting and even called in on a couple of their meetings (there are none face to face in my area.)  Just an idea that you might find helpful. 

Blessings to you all. 

Glad you’re doing well, suzanna! Good luck at the future gatherings. Keep us in mind, we’re with you.

I’m joining late here, but count me in! Tired of making myself sick with sugar—it’s tough eating in a college dining hall with desserts and ice cream always easily accessible, but I can do this. Will do this.

Welcome Maria!

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve actually had trouble sleeping like this before a few years back and it was linked to low serotonin levels (and consequently depression). I had taken medicine but eventually just stopped and overcame it on my own. I’ve realized now I just need to stay positive with attempting to stop being sweet and not beat myself up too much over slip ups. I’m going to get back to setting daily goals. Goal is no refined sugar for 24 hours. Going for an apple if I’m really craving it.

going back on an earlier question: peanut butter, almond butter, etc is all bad for me - i over eat it all.  Even if it is the all natural…. just nuts and salt kind…..

I also have found, like Suzanna, white flour and chips are bad for me too… they lead to a binge, sooner or later..

back on day 1 :( .  My goal like sethb - is to take this day by day - next 24 hours no sugar! we can do it!
.....
I fell into the below trap…. great comment from David to Sethb - that
There’s a danger in thinking that an entire lifetime of conditioning can be unraveled in a matter of weeks (for me it was 2 weeks). It’s setting yourself up for failure, which is addiction talking.

OK, I said I was going to join this challenge but the truth is I have not been abstaining from sweets. I tell myself I will just have a bite of this or that as the goodies come into the office this time of year. It’s amazing how quickly things can get out of control.

I’m ready to take back control of my cravings, my appetite and my health. I’m looking at the piece of coffee cake on my desk as I write this, debating about my ability to go sugar free now or wait until after the holidays. Who know how much damage I will have done to my weight and my health by then?

David, I’m not going anywhere!  Just found the info helpful and thought others might as well since we were talking about cravings for other foods too that can get out of control.  Hang in there Mary Ann and Jen!  Get your foot off you necks and keep plugging away one day at a time!  (Or one minute at a time as often my case!)

jen, I’m the same exact way with peanut butter (with or without sugar). I have gone 2 nights without sugar binges and plan on making it 3 tonight, as well as my first entirely sugar free day. I can think so much clearer already after not waking up with a sugar filled stomach and brain. I’m trying to look at every craving as an opportunity to overcome. Embrace the pain instead of running from it. I am going to feel deprived and uncomfortable. It is going to suck. Bad.  Thinking and debating about it in my head is only going to make it harder. One of the most helpful things to me is to remember that “it’s easier to do yourself into thinking than to think yourself into doing.” Or as Nike and David put it, “Just do it” and “take action.” I know I may feel great now but it’s going to be hard as the hours and days progress. Gotta listen to my own and everyone else’s advice on this site. Stay strong everyone, dig deep and push through the cravings.

What has ever gotten done by putting if off? What is so great about eating something sweet?

Have you ever written down why you love sweets and what you feel like when you’re eating them? And then why you dislike sweets and what you feel like after eating them?

Can you identify any factors beyond yourself that might make you feel compelled to snack on a sugary treat?

The all-or-nothing mindset tells you to completely abstain or to give up and go hog wild—basically a win/lose proposition.

Everything we’re talking about boils down to one single moment that, over time, makes up a string of individual decisions. The pattern in that string tell the story of who you really are, your true character.

Focus on the positive. Congratulations on all of your successes! Keep doing it.

BTW, suzanna, thanks for the link. Please, share resources!

I’m considering the ability to stop eating sweets by sheer will power. To me, the key is to control the cravings. One reason I crave sweets is because of low blood sugar levels.

So, in an attempt to prevent cravings, I will have something available that I can eat at any time that does not have sugar. This is similar to your “replacement food” approach.

Today, I have celery and carrots, and some granola bars with no added sugar. Wish me luck!

Lost control last night/early this am. Not going to give in to the all or nothing mindset. It happened. Nothing I can do about it now. Time to get back up. I eat sugar because my mind craves the dopamine hit, and when I’m stressed. Eating it is never worth the feeling and effects after.

Hi, everyone. I’m on my 5th day of being sugar and flour free. I thought it would get easier, as it has the last few times I have been off sugar and flour (once for just over 3 weeks), but it feels much much more difficult right now…perhaps due to the holiday season and constant reminders therein. Anyway, I *know* that I operate and feel so much better when I am not consuming these types of “food”. I may not always be abstinent, but I am taking it moment by moment, day by day, and for now my goal is to be abstinent more than I am not. This is progress for me, as I tend to be a perfectionist with that all-or-nothing mindset. I admire everyone who is here for doing this!

sethb, have you tried what Mary Ann is doing? That’s what replacement foods are all about. Swapping out the trigger foods you’re eating for something else, something more healthy, is the way to get started.

Kaity, it’s the time of year for sure! Glad you’re here.

My one day of sweets for thanksgiving turned into 8 days! Ugh.
Not horrible bunches but just consistently poor sugar choices and lots of chocolate. Replacement foods have been pretzels and bagels which aren’t working so well. Today and yesterday were ok, so I’m back on the challenge. This forum really helps. Thanks, everyone.

I’ve tried using apples as replacement foods, but what I’ve found is that no matter what the replacement food, I keep eating and feeling unsatisfied until I eat sugar. So for me I do better at night trying not to even enter the kitchen. My goal for tonight is to not enter the kitchen when I get home from work. I’m a waiter so this is usually around 11 pm.

There are cookies in the lunchroom. Really tasty looking cookies. My favorite kind of cookie.

What am I going to do?  First I’m going to definitely avoid going into the lunchroom this afternoon.

Second, I’m going to work on some big project to take my mind off the fact that there are cookies in the lunchroom.

Think I can make it through the day without a cookie? I do!

Did you make it without eating cookies?

Anyone care to play a game?

No, I did not make it through the day without eating cookies. I lasted a few hours, then when I went to the lunchroom, thinking everyone would have finished them off, I was surprised to see they hadn’t touched them!

How can everyone else pass up those cookies? I took some home and enjoyed them at night with my partner.

What’s the game all about?

Sugar 3, Me 2 so far today. I have managed to stay away from everything but peanut butter (Jif). I have tried to buy the natural unsweetened but it is just as addictive and I make the excuse that because it doesnt have sugar I can eat as much as I want. So I stopped buying it. My roommates have a huge jar of Jif though that we all share, and I have continually had to buy new jars. Goal is to make it from now till lunchtime tomorrow with no Jif, or any sugar for that matter.

sethb, which is better, lots of Jif PB or lots of natural PB?

Mary Ann, do cookies have an intrinsic value that must be appreciated?

Michele, how’s it going?

Well, one thing I have noticed is that instead of devouring them as I used to do, I am savoring them and enjoying every bite. Hopefully that helps me to eat less.

Sugar 0, me 5.

Well I’d say lots of natural, but I’m not trying to trade one addiction for another. I woke up again and had Jif last night, but stopped myself from going too insane. Same with the sugary cereal. I need to lose weight desperately as well and I know this is contributing to the sugar cravings even more. So I don’t want to indulge on either peanut butter if it will add weight, which will contribute to the vicious cycle of being sad and then wanting to run to sugar.

From whenever you read this and for another 24 hours, play the Sugar vs. You game! I’m doing it too.

Sugar: 0 Me: 4

For me, what has made a tremendous difference over the last few days is calling in my day’s food plan to someone.

Kaity, tell us more! Who do you call?

This is it everyone. The final weeks. Keep on going!

Made it 1 day without night binging on Jif or sugar. Night 2 is a done deal!

Yes!

Great job, Seth!

I had a gift of Vosges dark chocolate and while low in sugar, it still has sugar. I caved, then felt terrible the next day.
The longer I’m off sugar the worse I feel when I do eat it, and it doesn’t taste all that good anymore. 
I’m planning my no-sugar brazil nut and date fruit cake for Christmas Eve dinner with family which everyone loves, so prepared is the best defense for me.
Happy Holidays!

Had some peanut butter, but not a binge and not while waking up in the middle of the night. Taking baby steps, but getting better. Goal is no sugar at all this week, and only fruit on Christmas.

David, sorry for the late response. I have been calling an OA sponsor every morning to tell her my food plan for the day. Just saying it aloud has really helped solidify and commit to not eating sugar or flour. I still get cravings and they can be tormenting, but it’s been 8 days without the stuff =)

We should hold each other accountable. Good luck with your individual goals! Every little success is a huge triumph. Keep adding them up.

David, are we going to have a New Years challenge too? =)

I’ve been thinking about a New Year’s Resolution kind of thing. What kind of challenge/support would you like?

I like the New Years Resolution idea. Maybe to kick start our resolutions we could use the 31 days of January to reflect on our historical attachment to sugar with a series of questions. One per day or week. Just some thoughts =)

Hi!
I need to join you all in this! All of December I have had a bad relapse…

I was *hoping* to go sugar free until Dec 24th &* 25th, then carry on sugar free.  I don’t know about New Years yet. I will probably have some wine and/or some vodka, and apparently that is not AS bad. Though it really is liquid sugar, isn’t it?
But aside from that, I was planning on still only having healthy foods…

I have NO idea if this will work. Seeing as Jan 1st there is also a family dinner. But you know, there will always be family dinners, birthday parties, parties and events of all kinds… so many excuses. So I figure, Christmas for ME should be my only excuse. Atleast this year.

I wish everyone luck doing this!!! I admire you all!!

I also think a January challenge would be excellent. I think it’s when people might need it most. It’s a good time to reflect on *why* we keep going back to our vices, and to figure out all of our thought patterns and why we have certain attachments and things like that.

Hanamiya, yes there’s always something! Do you need to eat sweets at these events in order for them to be complete?

Kaity, good ideas, I’ll see what I can do!

Seth, how’s it going?

I haven’t been doing well with sugar. Since Thanksgiving I’ve only made it with a couple of sugar-free days. It is so hard! Today I am committing to no sugar.
I would be grateful for a New Year’s challenge, and to continue this forum. It helps knowing you all understand.

♫ This is the most difficult time of the year.  ♫

This is the last week! From right now ‘til next Saturday…

Imagine how you’ll feel if you completely abstain from sweets this week. 1 full week, from now until New Year’s Eve…

It’s so quiet in here. Perhaps you’re out of town and running around like I am.

I’m here! Relieved that the 25th has come and gone…focusing on eating clean how is everyone?

There is no chocolate in the office today. I’m happy about that and upset at the same time.

I am craving sugar so badly! Because none is available, I ate the apple I’ve been carrying to work in my lunch bag for the past few weeks.

The funny thing is, I’m satisfied after eating the apple!  Go figure.

Happy New Year! I hope you made it through the holidays sugar free. If not, try again because now is the easiest time of the year to get off sweets.

Check out the January Sugar Challenge!

No, I definitely did not meet the sugar free challenge over the holidays!

I am happy to start now, when it’s “easy”. Once I am successful, it will be even easier to maintain.

Congratulations to all who took part in this challenge. I know how difficult it is and I greatly admire your commitment and determination.

To all of those who attempted and gave in to sugar, congratulations for trying! I know many, many people who would never even consider giving up their sweets.

Thank you, David, for offering this challenge, and for the opportunity to connect with people for support and motivation.

Anyone want to join me starting the New Year sugar free?