A Sugar Detox for the Undisciplined

asweatlife_A-Sugar-Detox-for-the-Undisciplined

Having gained weight over the winter, I had every intention of writing this article 10 pounds lighter and completely sugar-free. That didnt exactly happen.

After attempting to follow Dr. Mark Hymans The Blood Sugar Solution: 10-Day Detox Diet Cookbook,I decided to abandon the idea of a quick fix detox and just try to make healthier choices. So, while its not necessarily a detox, there are a few things Ive learned on my quest to  quit sugar.

One Thing At A Time

We all know what to avoid in order to lose weight – sugar, gluten, caffeine, processed foods, alcohol, dairy – but quitting is easier said than done. It’s also supremely difficult to do it all at once, as Dr. Hyman suggests in his book. I was a complete zombie the one day I tried to quit everything on his list. Instead of a complete diet overhaul, I decided to just focus on sugar and processed foods, my main culprits. I’ve decreased my intake where both are concerned (the latter is mostly due to the Starbucks near me closing, making their breakfast sandwiches less accessible). Next up, I plan to tackle my sugar-free Red Bull addiction, which came about a few years ago in a different attempt to quit sugar. It’s a vicious cycle.

Close The Cookbook

I tried. I really did. I followed a few of Dr. Hymans recipes, I even started to like cooking a little bit, but there were just so many ingredients. This got a little tedious, especially when my finished product wasnt as good as it was supposed to be. If youre lazy like me, there are a lot of five ingredientrecipes out there, which I plan to try one day. There are also tons of healthier fast foodalternatives out there like KitchFix, Snap Kitchen and Protein Bar. I prefer that route. Its quicker and easier.

Read Labels

Even the most basic of foods can contain a ton of ingredients that are bad for you. Did you know Planters dry roasted peanuts include sugar and corn syrup? I personally was shocked. I mean, theyre just peanuts. Not all nuts have that much crap on them though. Read the labels and look for foods with the least amount of ingredients as possible, even in products that are supposedly good for you. I enjoy many of Snap Kitchens grass fed, gluten free and paleo products, but many of them contain more sugar than Id like. Luckily, they list how much sugar they add so I can choose one that is closer to 5 grams instead of 15.

Avoid A Timetable

We arent on The Biggest Loser. There are no prizes awarded after 10 days. If your will power wanes, you wont be publicly shamed and thrown off the island for having a cookie. Do your best not to hate yourself, enjoy your indulgence and just do better tomorrow.

Roughly a month of stops and starts later, I am 5 lbs lighter, an inch smaller in my waist and hips (give or take depending on human error) and mostly sugar-free. Its a small victory, but its enough to keep me making the small changes that will hopefully lead to even better results.  

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About Lori Wilson

After moving away from her hometown, just outside of Detroit, Lori has done her best to stay out of her former constantly-working-to-make-ends-meet rut. Having lived in Los Angeles, Chicago and Denver, Lori began her writing career covering soap operas. While she will always keep track of the latest returns from the dead on “General Hospital,” she now focuses her writing on fun ways to stay happy, fit and out of the house. Recent adventures have led to her love of indoor cycling, getting pampered at the spa and her new favorite city New Orleans. A Midwestern girl at heart, Lori is back in Chicago, where she continues her quest to top the thrill she felt her first time on the trapeze.

1 thought on “A Sugar Detox for the Undisciplined

  1. I feel the pain. Having quit sugar through and error. The key I found was differentiating between added sugar and natural sugar. As you say, checking ingredients does help. I normally try to keep a staple of non-sugar foods in my diet to help prevent crashes which leave you vulnerable to a sugar craving.

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