Giving up sugar

Chocolate, lollies, ice cream, cake... oh ice cream cake, I love it all. Unfortunately it doesn't love me. Perhaps the first sign that I had a problem with sugar was how many events in my life revolved around the sweet substance.

I can remember the excitement I felt as a child, reaching into my Nanna's lolly jar and grabbing my favourite toffee before anyone else could eat it. The mint ones were always the first to go. Family holidays came with an ice cream tub full of lollies for us to snack on during the road trip. Of course I was the kid that would borrow Dads keys later and sneak in to grab a few more lollies. Every movie I went to as a kid would come with an ice cream, lollies or chocolate. Fizzy drinks loaded with sugar were a common treat, while ice cream for dessert was always available as long as I had eaten my dinner.

It wasn't just the obvious sugary foods and drinks, my parents did their best to help me live a healthy life. Unfortunately I grew up in the time when juice was marketed as healthy. So the fact that I would consume 2.5 litres of apple and pear juice over two or three days wasn't an issue. 

The other indicator that sugar was not working for me, was the massive sugar lows I would have. If you know anything about star signs then you know as a Cancerian I am naturally moody, but, when consuming sugar there is a massive difference in my personality. I become irritable, depressed and hyper. The effect of the sugar wouldn't last a few hours but for days. The first time I removed sugar from my diet the improvement in my mood was the first thing people noticed. 

I say the first time, because as with any addiction, sugar is hard to quit. I am a very determined person and even I could only manage to give up sugar for six months before I gave in and went from consuming small amounts to being back to my high sugar diet once more. 

The moment I realised how addicted I truly was to sugar, was after giving it up for a while. I had begun to allow myself small treats of sugar. The odd biscuit or glass of juice. Of course I was done for, as soon as I entered a lolly shop. But I had myself convinced I could have just one or two hard boiled lollies from the cute jar that I had purchased and be fine. I would control myself and enjoy the lollies over the weeks ahead. As I walked away I popped a lolly into my mouth, it was delicious. I sucked on it and made it last, savoring the sweet raspberry flavour. It was so good, I thought I would enjoy one more. I sucked on it too but by the third lolly I was crunching through the hard boiled sweet and gulping it down. It was as if I had hit a point at which my brain no longer cared about the flavours but wanted to consume as much sugar as possible. Crunching away at the lollies with out pleasure or enjoyment I realised I had a problem. 

It's not easy to give up something that is so delicious and addictive and everywhere. But with a little determination and perseverance it is possible. In fact after a few days of saying no to sugar, I find it gets easier and easier. It does help if you have healthy wholesome foods ready for snacking on and you haven't left a half-eaten block of chocolate in the cupboard. Drinking plenty of water and making sure you don't let yourself get so hungry you can't bear to organise a proper meal also helps. 

There are many websites, books and documentaries available that will help you better understand why giving up sugar in particular fructose is a great idea. I for one have seen many benefits not only to my mood but also to my physical health. I have lost weight, 20kg in fact and my skin is clear and has a healthy glow, my eyes look healthier and I feel more energetic. For a list of resources that have helped inspire and encourage me on my journey take a look at my top 4 resources post. 

At times, it can feel like you are alone on this mission to avoid consuming sugar. It can be frustrating to watch people enjoying your favourite foods without a care. But the longer I have maintained a sugar free existence, the easier it is and the more I want to maintain my wholesome sugar free life.