I quit sugar. You have no idea how good (and unbelievable) it feels to say that. Today I’m going to talk to you about my journey to a sugar free life. I hope this might inspire some of you that are thinking of taking the sugar free plunge. Before we talk about how to quit sugar, I want to talk about why I quit sugar. I’ve always been a person that loves to eat healthy and is in constant pursuit of new health and wellness information. But there was one part of why diet that I took a blind eye to and that was sugar.
Why I quit sugar
I’ll never forget almost four years ago when I decided to try Whole 30. When I realized I would need to go completely sugar free, my brain instantly revolted and so did my body. I had the worst headache the entire first day (sugar withdraw anyone?). It was only a few days before I gave up. I eventually completed Whole 30, but it was always the sugar that was hard for me to give up. It wasn’t clicking with me that maybe quitting sugar would be the best health decision I could make. Finally this past year after dealing with inflamation, chronic fatigue and anxiety I decided to go all out and really quit sugar. I didn’t like how sugar was making me feel and I wanted to see if there was a connection between sugar and my symptoms.
what about natural sugar?
Here’s the interesting part about my journey to being sugar free, before I really quit sugar it had been years since I used white processed sugar. I used honey in my tea, coconut sugar and all natural maple syrup in baking. I wasn’t a white processed sugar kind of person. What I didn’t realize was that those natural sweeteners are also loaded with sugar. While I would definitely put them in a better category than their white processed counterpart, they’re still sugar and they still have an impact on your body. In order to break my addiction to sugar I gave up all forms of sugar.
How I quit sugar
The number one thing I did to quit sugar was commit to myself that I was quitting. I set a date and I told myself no matter what, I’m officially sugar free. I had finally reached a point where the reward of feeling healthier outweighed the risk of me feeling uncomfortable. What I found was the thing I was most worried about was failing.
I didn’t want to say “I quit sugar” and then relapse. So to navigate those feelings I gave myself grace. I reminded myself that I’m not perfect (shocker, I know) and I told myself if (WHEN) I slip up I will get back on track right away. I decided to quit sugar for life. That was the game changer for me. I didn’t quit to accomplish a weight loss goal, I didn’t do it as a 2021 goal, I did it to live a healthier life forever.
What i did to quit sugar
Ok, so I made a commitment to quit sugar, that doesn’t seem like enough does it? Well, it’s not. At least it wasn’t for me. In order to really quit sugar I needed resources. I ordered the book (appropriately named) “I Quit Sugar” by Sarah Wilson and I read it cover to cover as quickly as possible. Then, before my quitting sugar date, I ordered all the things I would need to be successful.
The things I needed to be successful at quitting sugar were sugar replacements. Yep, you heard that right, sugar alternatives. Here’s the deal, I was in a routine, I would eat my “health sugar” laden treats all the time. I needed a way to wean myself off of those habits. So for the first month I used Truvia to make sugar free cookies (these are delicious by the way) and some of the amazing recipes in the “I Quit Sugar Book“. Oh and just to be clear, I only use natural alternative sweeteners like Stevia or Monk Fruit, I’m not talking about diet soda here.
Be prepared to quit sugar
I wish I had been a little bit more prepared when I quit sugar. It took me about five attempts at sugar free brownies before I got them right. I ordered the most disgusting natural sugar free sweeteners before I discovered Truvia. But that’s why I’m here telling you this tale, I want quitting sugar to be easier for you. So, before your quit date order anything you will need to quit sugar and still feel fulfilled.
How do you treat yourself when you’re sugar free
At this point I no longer rely on these sugar free treats. I’ve replaced a lot of the sugar I used to eat with high quality fats. Those keep me full and I don’t crave sweet stuff as much. In full disclosure I do love my Lilly’s Dark Chocolate bars that are sweetened with Stevia.
Here’s a list of some of my not so guilty pleasures that I occasionally indulge in//
Here’s a list of some of my not so guilty pleasures that I occasionally indulge in//
- Fruit// I don’t eat a TON of fruit because I want to keep my sugar in check, but I do enjoy berries and other fruit on occasion
- Lilly’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Lilly’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Bars
- Homemade Sugar Free Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Enlightened Keto Ice Cream
you can quit sugar
I know you can quit sugar, if I did it anyone can do it. You just have to want to. A good push to quitting sugar is getting a blood panel done. Honestly. When my blood panel results came back and showed inflammation I really started to pay more attention. Even though my sugar levels were fine, I knew enough to see that sugar was impacting my health and wellness.
I’m on the other side of sugar and I can tell you it’s not as hard as it may seem. I still have fun and I don’t feel like I’m missing out. Oh and for the record I have had a bite of a donut and a taste of my kids ice cream since quitting sugar. I’m ok with being human. I’m also ok with doing that and flying my sugar free flag.
If you need help with going sugar free or any other health and wellness choices let’s chat! You can find me on instagram or using the contact form here.
XOXO- Amanda
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