No Sugar Challenge – I Tried It So You Don’t Have To (But Maybe You Should)
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Confession time: I’ve never been one to complain about my struggles to everyone, especially about my weight gain and sugar cravings…
But people could look at me. They knew.
I just pretended not to care.
But it’s been my shadow, trailing me for as long as I can remember, dictating my happiness and self-esteem…
Yet, here I am. this was something I HAD to share.
If my story can help even one person out there… It’s worth it to me.
Life throws you curveballs just when you think you have everything figured out
Sometimes, life just doesn’t go as planned.
I always thought I had my weight kinda under control, even with my sweet tooth.
I joked about how I could stop eating sweets anytime I wanted.
But then, after a certain age, it was like my cravings started calling the shots.
Out of nowhere, my weight started to creep up. It was slow at first, then all at once, it felt like I woke up heavier.
Despite eating less and trying my best to keep an exercise routine, I inexplicably gained 57 pounds over two years.
The weight just stuck to me, especially around my belly and arms.
My friends tried all sorts of diets and it worked for them. But I felt like I was stuck.
But what freaked me out the most…
Was that I didn’t even realize what was the problem.
“You’re not 20 anymore. It’s just what happens at your age.”
People say, ‘That’s just what happens when you get older.’
I get it. Our bodies change and losing weight gets harder.
But how fast I was gaining weight… That just didn’t make sense to me.
I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. So, I started trying all kinds of things.
Low-carb, fasting, gluten-free… you name it. I even started doing more exercise, like pilates and biking to work.
But the scale hardly budged.
I’d joke, ‘If this was 20 years ago, I’d be back in shape by now!’
I didn’t give up, though. I tried natural stuff too, like herbs and even acupuncture, hoping something would kick my body back into gear.
I had days when I felt a bit more pep in my step, but losing weight still felt impossible.
The one thing that almost pushed me over the edge…
It really hit me one day in the dressing room, trying on clothes that just didn’t fit.
I felt trapped in someone else’s body, embarrassed to even look in the mirror.
Buying clothes a size up became my new normal, and it was anything but okay.
There was this moment, all alone with a dress that wouldn’t zip up, stuck with my arms burning, when I thought, “This can’t be it.”
I didn’t want to keep going down this path, watching the numbers on the scale go up and feeling powerless.
I don’t want to down this path.
My mind was clear: just accepting this wasn’t an option for me.
Finding a solution for women like me
I went to meet a friend over coffee one day.
She’s older than me, yet somehow defied the age-related weight gain that seemed inevitable for the rest of us.
She wasn’t a gym fanatic or a strict dieter, but she radiated health.
She said, “It’s got nothing to do with insane diets or living at the gym. Loving candy is fine, but sugar… it’s everywhere. We don’t even notice it.”
That hit me hard. My “healthy” choices weren’t so healthy after all. The “healthy” snacks, “healthy” sweets… They were full of sugar I didn’t even know about.
“Cutting down on refined sugar changed everything for me,” she explained, “And I only noticed that when I tried a no-sugar challenge.”
After that, she helped me take a hard look at my diet.
And it shocked me… sugar was hiding in plain sight.
My snacks, my drinks, even my “good” food choices were packed with it.
Inspired, I decided to cut back on sugar, too. Not by following a strict diet, but by being more mindful about what I ate.
I definitely needed help finding balance.
So then I started the challenge she recommended…
Experiencing change – and loving it
Once I started this challenge, things began to shift.
But I’ll admit it. At first, I was a little bit concerned.
The meals looked good, but I worried about eating too much.
Three meals and two snacks a day? That sounded like a lot.
Don’t I need to eat LESS to lose weight?
But this challenge was different. It wasn’t just about cutting out sugar. It balanced everything else, too.
As days turned into weeks and the challenge came to an end, I noticed something amazing. This was working.
It wasn’t just about eating less sugar. It was about eating right. Foods that filled me up and kept cravings away.
When the challenge was over, only a few weeks later, I had lost over 36 lbs.
That’s because I am eating foods that actually work for my body, not against it…
Here’s what happened to my body after starting the challenge
✅ I started losing weight. Finally.
Currently, I’m over 50 lbs down.
I can’t explain how great that feels.
My clothes fit me again…
And while I still have a few more pounds to lose, I’m looking a lot more toned.
I added simple home exercises to my routine, enhancing my results (which is a nice bonus, but not necessary.)
But more than the numbers, it’s the tone in my arms and belly and the strength I’ve gained that excite me.
✅ My energy levels went up.
I am not dragging myself through the day anymore.
It helps that I’m not putting that much weight on my knees anymore.
But I used to blame my tiredness on everything but my sweet tooth.
Proper nutrition – and cutting down on sugar – is key to feeling energetic and vibrant.
✅ I don’t have cravings anymore.
The sugar challenge drastically reduced my cravings for sweets. It’s like I’ve broken free from a cycle I never thought I’d escape.
I’ll admit that going through it, I thought I would have to suffer and completely eliminate sweets, but it was a steady journey, introducing little habits that I could keep in the long run.
Now, I find joy in foods I’d previously ignored – foods that nourish and satisfy me without the sugar crash.
This isn’t just about eating less sugar; it’s about loving what I eat. Every meal feels like a choice for my health.
✅ I’ve never felt more confident.
There’s been a noticeable shift in my mood and overall mental health. I’m more myself than I’ve been in years!
I’m not as tired anymore and low spirits have lifted, replaced by a steady stream of positivity and energy.
This journey has done wonders for my self-esteem. Losing the weight is one thing, but gaining confidence? That’s priceless.
How and why this sugar challenge helped me start losing weight successfully:
Initially, I filled out a quiz to start the no-sugar challenge.
This quiz was the key to unlocking a plan crafted just for me, removing all the guesswork from my diet and focusing on my sugar cravings.
After that, I got the challenge and managed to lose a little over 36 lbs by the end of it.
In the end… I finished the challenge, but decided to keep my personalized diet plan, as my weight loss goals were greater than 40 lbs. Now, a few months later, I’m down over 50 lbs.
And here’s what I’ve learned: my journey is mine alone. We all have different battles with cravings, weight, and, in my case, sugar.
That’s why finding a path that’s uniquely yours is so vital.
I just hope that you allow yourself this chance… You deserve the transformation that comes with this no-sugar challenge.
It’s risk-free — a simple sugar detox. I’m telling all my friends about it… Give it a try!
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All that you said!
Does this work for a 76 year old woman?
PCOS it's so hard to get weight off And hardly exercise cause I get Soo dizzy and nausea and headaches and I have started in past 3 years slowly healthy foods that thought was healthy food but dietitian and nutritionist both say different things and then say diet stuff is bad and not really diet to get the regular stuff is healthy than diet...
PCOS it's so hard to get weight off And hardly exercise cause I get Soo dizzy and nausea and headaches and I have started in past 3 years slowly healthy foods that thought was healthy food but dietitian and nutritionist both say different things and then say diet stuff is bad and not really diet to get the regular stuff is healthy than diet and to bring back pasta and bread cause your body needs it but with cutting a lotta stuff I thought was bad I gained weight and don't buy diet stuff especially diet soda they are harmful so drink regular soda or just none at all so I been drinking Arizona ice tea and Gatorade poweraid and vitamin water to get off soda but I still fat nothen drops I stay 269 for 6 years it drops to 159 but stays 3 months goes back to 269 and I been eating less now well sometimes just supper and now gained weight I look at food and smell it I gain weight is how I see it ! I can has broth for 2 months only and gain weight Stupid PCOS Never had weight problems until after I had kids
I want info on this
I would like to try this , I work out 3 days a week eat 2 meals a day and walk 3 miles 2 days a week I’m luck if I lose 3 pounds a month my doctor told me to workout more eat less
I am a chocoholic.Need help.
Done with being fat
Need this soooo bad!!!
I just started this and can totally understand what happened to my body then and now .My body is starting to get toned I'm loosing inches now and soon I'm sure the lbs will slip away .A person doesn't realize what sugar and starchy foods do to our body.
Sounds very interesting, it’s worth a try to see if I can overcome the sugar urge all the time.
I’m looking fir a safe healthy way to loss weight my struggle is real im interested in the no sugar way i eat very little sugar
I also have tried everything. I LOVE sugary snacks and salty snacks. I put 4 TB of sugar in my 32 Oz cup of tea. I've tried substitutes but I don't like the after taste. Is Stevia OK to use?
Sounds encouraging
I would really like to try this. I am very much addicted to sugar and I am a Type 2 diabetic.
I'll be 83 in May. I so hope I have the courage to give up sugar and become the best healthy I can be.
I have tried just about everything out there and still can't lose, hope this will help
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes just 3weeks ago…. I’ve “done all the diets” n when I’m good Im good n when I bad I’m bad! This time was different I had to start a healthy diet…it’s a lot to learn. Having no sugar….I feel amazing…I’m now over my cravings for sugar so that and a healthy meals. I’m However now I’m noticing...
I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes just 3weeks ago…. I’ve “done all the diets” n when I’m good Im good n when I bad I’m bad! This time was different I had to start a healthy diet…it’s a lot to learn. Having no sugar….I feel amazing…I’m now over my cravings for sugar so that and a healthy meals. I’m However now I’m noticing how much more energy and clear headed I truly feel. #nosugar
I live on sugar! I know it hurts not only my weight but my joints and bone but I can’t seem to stop.
Need to loose 50 lbs for health reasons
I am 82. Do you think this will work for me. Not able to exercise because of arthritis Sugar cravings are out of control
I have been trying to lose weight. I am 73 and my weight is 160. Not happen with it. Sugar is a big problem for me.
Sounds wonderful
Interested
I’m unable to eat “sugar free” foods, with ANY of the artificial sweeteners. Will this plan work for me, or is the “no sugar” more or less substituting for the sugar with s/f options?
Thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate you.
JANUARY 2/ 24 I STARTED, MARCH 18/24 DOWN 31 LBS, now off metformin (pre diabetes) loads of energy,and no longer unable to continue my sweet tooth! No longer so much about my weight, but about my life!! REMEMBER WE ARE WORTH IT!!
I really need help with sugar cravings!
Just wanna say I I saw this challenge 3-4 months ago and went from having sugar literally multiple times a day to cutting it out almost entirely. But naturally you know. I’ve been trying to lose weight and it’s helped a lot. Over the past year and a half I’ve dropped down from 250 pounds to just now hitting 179 (6’2 F)! I feel...
Just wanna say I I saw this challenge 3-4 months ago and went from having sugar literally multiple times a day to cutting it out almost entirely. But naturally you know. I’ve been trying to lose weight and it’s helped a lot. Over the past year and a half I’ve dropped down from 250 pounds to just now hitting 179 (6’2 F)! I feel really good about myself and I’m not done yet, but I just wanna say thank you for sharing, this has helped a lot with my weight loss journey!
It’s day 3 for me and it is INSANE the improvement in my energy level.. literally INSANE . I can’t believe it I don’t ever want to eat that much sugar again if that’s how groggy fatigued and miserable it makes me !!
I was told last year I was heading for pre-diabetes, so I tried this detox and started to cut out snacks and most sugar from my diet. I'm so much more aware of sugar in foods now - I'm cooking from scratch a lot more, eating less processed food, and feeling so much better for it! I've lost loads of weight and have so...
I was told last year I was heading for pre-diabetes, so I tried this detox and started to cut out snacks and most sugar from my diet. I'm so much more aware of sugar in foods now - I'm cooking from scratch a lot more, eating less processed food, and feeling so much better for it! I've lost loads of weight and have so much more energy. I wish I could convince my husband and teenage sons to cut down too. They would really feel the benefit!
It's really worth it. I know this is a 2 week thing but I kept the meal plan going and I’m 4 week in now. Already lost a 30 lbs and I kinda wanna try the whole year without added sugar. good luck!
Im needing & wanting to be healthier & loss weight. Can you help me please!?
I've been on this challenge for a week and none of the recipes have these harmful sugar substitutes so far
What fruits did you eat? As they have natural sugar in them.
Hi Patricia I’m just wondering does this really really work there are so many scam people peddling their wears, u am so disillusioned and desperate to get off this diabetes ladder and lose weight for the very last time I promise you I have tried every, every single thing and I’m still exactly the same but my sugar. Ravings are so immense and just...
Hi Patricia I’m just wondering does this really really work there are so many scam people peddling their wears, u am so disillusioned and desperate to get off this diabetes ladder and lose weight for the very last time I promise you I have tried every, every single thing and I’m still exactly the same but my sugar. Ravings are so immense and just don’t want to do metformin!!! Any suggestions as to how you achieved sanity!!
Norma, you miss 100 of the shots you don't take. Wayne Gretzky said that. That applies at any age. It will be hard. It will be challenging. But you can do it.
82 in May for me. Huge addition to sugar. Unfortunately I've passed it to daughter and granddaughters too. How are you doing?
need to loose weight for overall health