16:25

Ditching Processed Sugar

I am sat writing this half way through day 16 of eating absolutely no processed sugar whatsoever. By that I mean eating no products that list sugar as an ingredient, and only eating the natural sugars found in fruit and vegetables. I decided to write this post as the reaction to this blog post was unbelievable, and a lot of you left me comments asking about how I ditched the sugar and expressed that you too struggle with sugar in a way that I used to.


Lets start with a bit of background information: I was a fully fledged sugar addict. I didn't just eat sugar because I liked the taste or needed the energy (although both these were components), I ate sugar because my body and mind needed it. They could no exist without it and all I thought about was when I would get my next fix. I stopped eating meals all together, I would roll out of bed with a migraine which refused to subside until I had eaten my 'breakfast' of chocolate. Sugar was my coping mechanism, when life got too much when work got too stressful and when I was feeling down sugar was the only thing that got me through. It was a reward and a punishment, it made me feel instantly better but ultimately ten times worse and the only thing that could get me back out of that hole was sugar. I was stuck in a viscous cycle which I was too scared to break. I was in denial of how much I depended on sugar and convinced myself that my anxiety would spiral back out of control without my sugar-fix self prescribed medication. Sugar was ruining my life. My progress in the gym was stifled because of sugar, my insomnia was getting worse because of sugar and no doubt my insides were absolutely crying out for nourishment all because of sugar.

When you are so dependent on something you can not just cut down. When something controls your life the only way to rid yourself of it and gain back that control is by completely cutting it out. So I woke up 16 days ago and decided that enough was enough, I was sick and tired of my self worth being dictated by my minds inability to function without its drug and decided to ditch the sugar all together.

I would be lying if I said it was easy, and if it is something you are seriously considering doing then you need to be prepared for the horrible few days that follow. The first three days were a hell worse that I imagined- I woke up shaking in a pool of sweat, I had a constant migraine, I had horrendous stomach cramps which prevented me from even standing up a large majority of the time and I could not sleep at all. All this was made worse by the fact there was a full bag of mini eggs sitting in the fridge staring at me every time I went to get something to eat. But my willpower was stronger and I stuck to it, knowing it would get worse before it got better. But better came sooner than I imagined. Even by day 4 my mood was lifted, I no longer had spikes in my energy levels and felt so much more awake. My concentration has improved and I am managing to get more sleep than I have done in years. 

For over two weeks I have eaten no chocolate, no sweets, no cake, no biscuits, no cereal, no crisps, no sweetened yoghurts, no ice cream, no fizzy drinks, no jam, NOTHING at all with sugar in. And that is something I am incredibly proud of. I have eaten three home cooked meals a day for the first time in years, my progress in the gym is increasing every day and I actually feel like a happy, fully functioning, healthy human being.

Try it, you never know it might just make you feel better too,
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38 comments

  1. Amazing Amy!! I don't think I have the willpower to do this! xx

    hellotashaa.blogspot.co.uk

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  2. Oh my gosh Amy! That was an incredible testimony you gave us! Wow, I feel so inspired. I used to be a big sugar addict too..nothing compared to you though, I just liked my chocolate. I have really taken a step back and portioned my chocolate eating habits and I feel as if I have been doing a good job but recently I have fallen back into it. Thank you so much for this motivation post because this is what I needed at this very moment!! xxx

    http://lilliemysel.blogspot.com

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    1. aw thank you so much!! im so glad you enjoyed it xx

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  3. Well done you! This sounds so difficult.
    I'm being healthy and exercising but I guess this is the next step!

    Allie x
    Rush & Teal

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  4. You so inspired me(as many other people)! I tried to eat less sugar & then not eat it at all. But it is too dificult for me & i literally CAN'T do that. But after reading your post I decided to try exclude sugar again...maybe i can :)
    xx, marinasirmais

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    1. thank you so much! you definitely can if you stick to it good luck xx

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  5. I've been trying to eat healthier for the past 6 months - lowered the sugar, the chocolate the unhealthy food :) very difficult but totally worth it <3

    http://saccharinesoul.wordpress.com/

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  6. Great post! Well done for cutting out all sugar that is such a great achievement :)

    Life As Lissy

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  7. Wow!! Well done!! That is so so good! I don't know if I have the willpower to do that, my downfall would chocolate and peanut butter, I try to eat it in moderation and live a healthy lifestyle though. xxx
    www.ourflavourfullife.blogspot.com

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    1. thank you! you will do you just have to stick to it and not let yourself fail xx

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  8. My diet is atrocious if I'm honest, so I definitely need to work on this! Great post :) x

    www.sheintheknow.co.uk

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    1. mine was the same dont worry! thank you xx

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  9. Oh wow! Bravo Amy! That can't be easy at all. I have tried replacing sugar with natural honey, so when a recipe calls for sugar, I use honey instead. However, I still can't kick the candy eating habit. Maybe I can take a page from your book and work on it. How much longer do you plan on cutting out sugar completely? do you plan on reintroducing it in small quantities? or are u afraid that doing so will mean you will go back to being addicted to it?

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    1. Oh I may try honey myself, i think it would make it a little bit easier for me! I don't really have a plan for a length of time in mind, I'm hoping to continue it until easter if I can and then when I do eat sugar I'm hoping to be able to control the quantities that I eat it in! xx

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  10. love this post, think I could definitley use these tips considering my diet!haha:)

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  11. That sounds great! I really need to try it!! Very inspiring, thanks for sharing!
    Anna, Yay or Nay Interiors+Lifestyle & Beauty

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  12. Another excellent post :) While I am a carb addict, it's more of the salty side like lays potato chips lol, luckily lack of expendable funds at this time is forcing self control on me ;)

    https://orbbsfashion.wordpress.com/

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  13. Great post, I am definitely going to try this, not sure I'll last as long as you though.. I need my sugar fixes! X

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  14. Been wanting to try this for a while now, have cut out chocolate but seem to be replacing the cravings with other sweet things. I think I may have to give it a go though. Well done for getting this far! xx

    MissyRed.co.uk

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    1. I did the same last year for lent, you should try cutting it out all together it will be hard though! thank you lovely xx

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    1. aww yes i will definitely get a blog post up soon xx

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  16. This is sooo amazing. MAJOR props to you for your discipline. I'm so glad you're feeling better!

    Mandy

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  17. I’m in love with your blog! It was so interesting to read your posts and also I’d like to say that you have beautiful photos!
    p.s. new post - how I met Victoria Beckham http://www.dianacloudlet.com/2015/02/victoria-beckham-zip-pouch-met-victoria-beckham.html

    Diana Cloudlet
    http://www.dianacloudlet.com/

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  18. Wow that's a great achievement - not sure if I'd be able to cut back on chocolate for a couple of weeks let alone nothing with sugar in. But I can imagine the benefits are so worth it so well done!

    Beth x

    Bethany Georgina

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  19. that is seriously amazing! i cut down to dessert once a week, but no sugar at all? that's commitment!

    xo, k
    pocket of blossoms

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  20. Yay... good job Amy! It is difficult, but your body will get used to it after a while & thank you for it later for sure haha
    xoxo Kim
    www.learntheheartway.com

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