About 2 months ago, a childhood friend of mine came to visit me and she looked amazing. Her skin was glowing, her energy was high, and it looked like she shredded a few pounds. I asked her what she had been doing differently because she looked so great, and she quickly said, “I quit refined sugar!” My initial reaction was, “Wait… what? I must’ve heard wrong. You quit what?” You see… she was that one friend who would literally spend hours on Yelp trying to scout down the best donut shop in town to try out their new maple bacon extra glazed sugar coated cronut. (I mean is that even a thing?)
So when she told me she quit sugar it was the last thing I expected to hear from her. After she spent the weekend at my house I was completely inspired and motivated by her new lifestyle. I told myself that if she could do it, and have the willpower to pass on desserts and replace them with fruit… then so could I! My sugar addiction was getting out of control and I thought this would be the perfect way to reboot my taste buds and cut my cravings out. I was at a point where I needed something sweet after every meal… chocolate after my lunch, then ice cream after my dinner. I needed to put a hold of my addiction and not let it control me!
THE FIRST FEW DAYS
The first few days were extremely challenging, but I knew it would be going into this. After every meal, I needed a sugar fix so I replaced it with fruit. I actually kind of over did it with fruits (which also could be a bad thing if you have too much of it), but I needed to do whatever I could to calm my cravings. Also, please note that I quit REFINED sugar, as there are a lot of good sugars out there (in fruits and such). I also stocked my fridge up with Kombucha as it really helped me with my cravings in the morning and at night. I would have one the morning and then one in the evening after dinner. There is something in the fizzy drink that somehow satisfied my sweet cravings.
I realized that half the battle was just saying “No!” So after successfully getting through the first week, it got a lot easier until I started to travel…
[parallax]
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TRAVELLING
So a month after I got control of my cravings I started to travel to Europe heavily. I went to Cannes, Rome, Paris, and Ibiza. Now, this is where it got really challenging. I literally was so nervous about not sticking with my no refined sugar detox during this month because I knew I was going to be in places with some amazing meals and desserts. Although I do not have any specific tips on HOW to stick with your detox during your travels… I would say 99% of it is just sheer will power and reminding yourself why you are doing what you are doing.
For me, it was a mental challenge more than anything else. I knew if my mind was strong enough I could get through it… and I did! We did find a place in Ibiza where they had all natural foods with tons of organic and natural ingredients. And for dessert, they had a date cake that had no sugar in it and it was absolutely divine. I had 2 servings of it!
THE RESULTS
Although I wish I could tell you some miracle story about how I dropped 10lbs from cutting out sugar- I can’t. Keep in mind I’ve only been doing this for a little over 1.5 months and I’m sure I’d see more profound results if I actually kept with it and made it into more of a lifestyle choice. I did, however, feel a lot more energetic in the morning and not as sluggish and tired. I also felt like my skin became slightly brighter and more youthful. I felt like I was able to make smarter choices in general just from cutting out refined sugar.
It’s almost like when you can eliminate one bad habit out of your daily routine all of a sudden you can see clearly with everything else. I definitely felt like my brain was less cluttered and I was wayyyy more productive with my time than I usually am. And although I did not do this detox to shed any weight, I did drop around 3 lbs on the scale.
CURRENTLY
I had my very first bite of sugar last week, and I’m not going to lie it was absolutely divine. Through all of this, I realized that sugar does not have to control my life. I completely cut refined sugar out of my diet for almost 2 months to challenge my mind and body. Now that I know I’m capable of doing that, I don’t have to be so scared of it anymore.
I’ve now slowly been introducing small bits of sugar into my diet here and there, but I decided to ban the word DETOX. It’s more of a lifestyle choice.
After this experiment, I decided that it’s just part of my lifestyle to not eat much sugar, but if I really want to try a bite of my mom’s hazelnut cookies then I’ll take a bite, completely enjoy it, and move on. It no longer controls me and I’ll enjoy it in bite sizes here and there!
So now, I’m challenging you guys to do something similar. Let me know in the comments if you guys have any questions and I’ll answer them to the best of my abilities!
Credits:
Photography by Karla TicasWhat do YOU think?
69 responses to “I Quit Sugar & This is What Happened”
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This post is very good. There is motivation for others.
https://blog.mindvalley.com/how-to-stop-eating-sugar/
I am currently cutting out sugar for the month of January and haven’t been drinking Kombucha because most brands have cane syrup in their ingredients. Did you make an exception for Kombucha or find a sugar free brand?
Such an inspiring story.. thank you to share
Kisses from France
[…] you’re considering completely cutting out sugar, check out blogger Chriselle Lim’s account of what happened when she quit refined sugar. She made the lifestyle change in order to […]
I am doing a coffee detox right now! I do struggle with acne and I feel like I have tried everything. I never thought off quitting my coffee habit though! I did never drink a lot, but I definitely needed that one cup of coffee in the morning. I am excited to see if there´s something to it!
I was on a no-sugar diet for quite long before I moved to UK 5 months back and gave up on it for choc croissants and lattes! But after reading this I am inspired to get back at it again!
Love
Xx
Raman
http://www.huesofme.com
it’s so great to have stumbled across this post. I’ve been trying (but not nearly hard enough) to cut sugar out of my diet… or at least significantly lower my intake. So this is really refreshing and inspirational and I’m totally gonna set more definite goals and aspire to achieve them now!!
its so good to read posts like this… remembering that sugar is made up of glucose and fructose molecules so the way our bodies break it down makes it posionous…..there is no nutrionial value in sugar whatsoever……. its legal, socially acceptable and hidden in virutally everything we eat which is processed…….research shows us sugar can be as addictive as some street drugs and has similar effects on the brain because when we eat sugar opioids and dopamine are released. Dopamine is associated with addictive behaviour.
I don’t take sugar that much. Only used in my coffee and oatmeal. I guess I could find other options but it will take the grace of God. Lol!
The title is misleading. Lots of sugar in fruits too. Your body still process it the same way lady!
Many years ago, when I was a teen living at home, I read a book called “Sugar Blues” by William Dufty. It was powerful and convincing. I immediately gave up refined white sugar. Back then, there were very few sugar substitutes. I would make my own “candy” by combining peanut butter, raisins, honey and powdered milk and keep this in the fridge to take an occasional scoop. My vigilance lasted about two years; meanwhile my mother kept telling me it was “silly” to cut out sugar and kept trying to sabotage me. It finally worked when she made my favorite, German chocolate cake – and I was back on the sugar train again. It got to the point where I’d be visiting the vending machine after every meal; the cravings were irresistible. Then in 2004, I read Sugar Blues again, and have been sugar-free ever since. It’s easier nowadays because there are plenty of substitutes; diabetes is rampant and companies are responding to the need for low-carb products. Sugar works in the brain the same way heroin does; that’s why we crave it. If you don’t think you’re addicted, try to go for three days without sugar. You may be surprised! When I was a child, I had numerous cavities; my mouth is full of metal fillings and caps where I had to have root canals; my gums bled every time I brushed. Now my dental checkups are stress-free, and that alone is worth it! I don’t even like the taste of sugar anymore; you do eventually reach that point.
I have to say something that may be misleading. Stopping only refined sugar only means you are getting back to a natural state with your food as far as sugar is concerned. You can deceive yourself as well as others, by thinking not adding sugar or even not eating anything with refined sugar means your food is not loaded with natural sugar as well as other high carb items. This is NOT true, and to eat TWO desserts just because it has not refined sugar in it, does not mean you are not eating high carb desserts. Not eating refined sugar means you can legally add honey or other natural sweetners that also have as many carbs in them. The secret is to ingest a very small amount of ANY kind of sugar, doing this you will definitely feel better and even lose some weight and gain muscle too. Good luck with your new lifestyle, and remember even if its a Weight Watchers piece of pie, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to double up!
You are young (& incredibly beautiful!) so sugar has not had a big effect on your life. But if you keep eating it, it will get you in the end, as it’s what us hippies used to call “white death.”
To reduce your sugar cravings, try eating more good fats: avocados, heavy whipping cream in coffee, nuts, eggs, bacon. These things have been demonized by dieticians but they are all incorrect. Check out the low carb, high fat, moderate protein diet. If not now, when you hit your forties and weight starts to go up.
My dear Victoria, bacon is in the same category/level with smoking, in WHO’s list of carcinogens. For me, it’s not the best advice to substitute something bad for our body, with something else which is as bad too! Kisses from Greece.
I started lent with 160 Pounds, tooooooooo much!! Then I quit drinking soft Drinks and eating those sugary gum bears and all chocolate. Twice a week I went nordic Walking and two months later I had 15 Pounds less. Today I tried a gummy frog and I almost spit it out again. I can’t eat eat anymore. But I still use a little spoonful of sugar in my coffee. I can’t drink without!! But there is no yoyo-effect. I feel good!!
Dagmar from Vienna, Austria
I’ve always been overweight but I feel the effects of a bad diet on my ability to think and function mentally. It’s giving me the motivation to make changes and the first thing I did was no sugar. Been 5 days and in the withdrawal stage but I’m going to keep at it.
I enjoyed reading your post and even I am struggling too with refined sugar monster trying to control my life and make me feel as though I cant survive without it. After reading this…I have gained more courage to kill this temptation of sugar every now and then.
I love that you went and tried this out, I’ve been so curious after hearing many people have quit refined sugar! I love sugar, but I feel as though eating less of it makes me feel much less tired and energetic overall! I don’t think I could completely cut it out of my diet but it must be so empowering to know you can cut it out if you’d like! Beautiful photos as well girl xx
http://mylovelierdays.com
I really think it’s about balance. Too much of a good thing can be toxic as well. And while refined sugar is not good for the body, in moderation is okay. And you have such a beautiful, healthy lifestyle already! Thanks for sharing!!!
[…] (as well they should). Since I’ve noticed an increasing number of people putting their bodies on a sugar-purge, I’d thought I’d weigh in once again, and share (in my typical numerical list) the […]
Reading this post while eating a chocolate… oops! Sugar definitely is super addictive and makes your body crave it all the time.
Should give this a try too. Thanks for sharing <3
xx Kristjaana
http://www.kristjaana.com
This sounds like an amazing challenge… I will definitely aim to incorporate it into my lifestyle.
But Chriselle, I challenge you to try NO COFFEE! 🙂 I’ve stopped drinking coffee for three weeks now and, while I still have black and green tea every now and then…like a matcha tea in the morning, I feel so clean and rejuvenated. My taste buds have opened up too and after trying coffee again last week, I was shocked by how extremely bitter it was.
These lifestyle choices challenge our whole body and our minds…it is hard… but the results and the experience of showing love and compassion towards yourself make it completely worth while! Don’t you agree? 😉
xoxo
Would love to get a hold of that Date cake recipe!
This sounds very similar to Whole30! Once I quit refined sugar I felt amazing. It’s totally a mental challenge…and it’s hard to keep up but I’m constantly having to remind myself of why I’m doing it. I have a few Whole30 (no-sugar) recipes on my blog when you need some inspiration!
http://thefashionablephysician.com
This sounds amazing. Could use some extra energy in general! But then again.. HOW do you quite refined sugar? I would love to read some tips about how to do it and so on. Because I have no clue where to start since I see sugar in every single thing in the supermarket.
Some months back my doctor said to lighten on sugar because it was high. I weighted 134. Quit sugar immediately and now I weigh 112.
Sugar is crazy bad. I use 2 drops of Stevia to my morning coffee. Stevia is plant based..
Thank You for this article.
love this post.
really gorgeous photography
Aesthetic Mind | Personal Style & Fashion Blog
http://aestheticmind.co
That was such a good experience! I now barely eat sugar but fruit. And 10 out of 10 people told me that I look slimmer than before and more healthy. Of course I also workout a lot so I guess it does work.
Yarina
https://www.techlovesstyle.com/
This is inspiring! Thanks for sharing your experience <3
XOXO,
Ashley | R e a s y u m e
http://reasyume.com
That’s awesome. I wish I could, but I love desserts. 3lbs is a lot for someone of your stature, since it’s harder to lose weight when you’re already so petite. It’s a healthy thing to do though! Additional Sugar is not needed, because natural foods have natural sugars already.
XOXO //
SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger
I’ve been trying to cut refined sugar out of my diet completley and it’s been so incredibly challenging! I’m abel to go through tons of days without touchign it and then suddenly I find mjyself binging and then I have a break out! You have inspired me though and Im going to go get some Kombucha!
x
Shloka
http://www.thesilksneaker.com
Kudos to you, Chriselle. I give up sugar for Lent, and though it’s less of a struggle than when I was at my highest consumption, I’m still struggling to take control rather than be controlled by sugar. You are inspiration for me.
Nice job Chriselle. I admire your will power 🙂
Sometimes it takes just a small step too. Before the age of 21, I had been drinking a juice box or two every day. Just got into the habit of it from grade school. And I just decided no more. If I had fast food ever, I’d just get water and use a sugar drink as a treat once or twice a year. I also, thankfully, wasn’t really into pop so that wasn’t hard to cut out. I try to keep room for indulging every now and then (I’m also crazy into ketchup and I reduced that. i.e. if I have a sandwich, I might put mustard in it instead) but that just means I’ll have a timbit or something. Fortunately, I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I’m much more into sodium haha so I try and keep that under control. Portions and lower sodium options to start, guys. Baby steps are okay and you don’t have to go cold turkey because I sure as hell can’t. Long-term success – think about how to achieve that, I’d say 🙂
http://www.dressupchowdown.com
Hi Chrisellelim! I wanted to tell you that I understand you perfectly. About 3 months ago I stopped taking refined sugar because I saw that it was affecting my health. I am very thin and I did not give importance but I noticed that my body did not work well, had overloaded the liver and the kidneys did not work well, with only 33 years! A naturopath friend told me that my problems were for sugar and told me that I could see the effects on my skin, that my skin indicated that my organs did not work well. From there I left the sugar and I have to tell you that the first few days were very hard. I had a crisis of abstinence (due to sugar, our brain behaves just like any drug) I had anxiety attacks, depressive symptoms, I had no strength in my body, I was sad I wanted to cry, I was very sleepy and very thirsty. I drank a lot of water but did not quench my thirst. Like you, I introduced fruit to give my body “good sugar”, but it was as if nothing satisfied me. After 3 weeks of having a bad time, anxiety attacks disappeared and suddenly my mind was much clearer, I made decisions easily (they say that sugar impedes decision making and I proved it to be real), I had a lot of energy and I felt stronger, more content. My body worked better, and at 2 months without trying sugar, my skin changed radically. It was bright, beautiful and bright. It reminded me that I had been for 2 years asking beauty professionals why my skin was dull, lifeless, without light. I do not know what was wrong but I knew that it was not my skin, because my skin has always It was very beauty and very bright, and nobody could tell me what the problem was. They told me that maybe she was dehydrated. I verified thanks to this that what happened to my skin was that it couldn´t work well, My skin was suffering because of what I was doing to my body.
I have not taken refined sugar for 3 months now and every day that passes my self esteem grows thanks to this, because I consider that I am loving my body, taking care of it.
I advise you the book “Sugar blues” by William Dufty in which he talks about the subject. I recommend you search in Google what refined sugar makes to our body and our brain if you want to have more information… Greetings and good summer!
I need to follow your steps and cut refined sugar as well, it would be so good for me and my skin especially !
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This looks amazing! I will definately give it a try!
I hope I will manage as I am not a great cook!
This sounds great, you certainly have a willpower. I sadly don’t, I have never been on a diet as I can’t stick to one for any longer than a day and than I just make up for it . I eat tones of sweets every day and I’m not proud of it . How one can get through the whole pack of chocolate digestives like I did last night!
Your post is inspiring and shows that it is possible!! Thanks for sharing
http://www.elegantduchess.com/2017/07/27/burgundy-luxury-silky-wrap-and-velvet-strappy-sandals/
I did the same Thing earlier this year, but I cut out sugar completely and even limited the amount of fruit I had to one a day. For the first ten days I had the worst withdrawals, headache and all, but after that it got easier. I still eat less sugar than I did before, but again more than I want to. But I know I can do it.
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Linda, you should be *VERY* careful about what type of sugars you are cutting out. Sucrose (table sugar) and fructose (corn syrup) are excess that you can cut out of your diet with little effect, but your body (especially your brain) NEEDS glucose (found in grains, vegetables, fruit, and meat) to survive. Those headaches could have been your body telling you that you were lacking vital nutrients.
Not sure if I’d be able to do this!
http://www.petiteandhungry.com
I absolutely need to try this! I have a strong will, but dessert is always my weakness and something I struggle with. I have tried to minimize my sugar intake but after a week, I’m back at it. I will for sure try it again!
I’ve been trying so hard to cut down on sugary/carbonated drinks!
Vivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
IG | @viviyunn_
~
Thank you so much for sharing your full experience, Chriselle! 🙂 Cleanses/detoxes are always hard, but it’s great to hear your success story! I remember in my nutrition class that my professor always stressed that moderation is the key, so as long as we’re not over-indulging, I think it’ll definitely be good for us! <3
XO, Elizabeth
http://clothestoyouuu.com/
I need to try this because Lord knows I love me some sugar and I have no energy!! I’m thinking about gong vegetarian for awhile.
See my latest post:
// stay put
born bred BE – a blog by Alexia
maravilhosa!!! I want make this too!!
Thank you for sharing this! I feel the same way. I love sugar so much but I really need to make sure it does not control me. I think I may need a mini detox too and see how it goes. 🙂
xx
http://modernensemble.com
That’s definitely AMAZING! Not sure I would be able to do that though. While reading your post I was mainly thinking “How would I go without real ice cream?” I mean I live in the Dutch Caribbean so there are lots of delicious juicy tropical fruits, but a great ice cream to cool off with now and then is so needed. On the other hand, quitting refined sugar is so much healthier and clearly something to consider! Dilemma!
Xo,
Marienne
http://www.genaradenis.com
GENARA DENIS JEWELRY • Fun-Classy Handmade Jewelry for a Fashion Statement and/or Spiritual Purpose. #ShopGenaraDenis
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
https://thegoldlipstick.com/
This is so inspiring! I will definitely have to try this <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
WOW! I don’t know if I can cut out sugar even though that sounds really nice! How do you eat out at places that uses sugar in everything?
x. kritsida
http://aperfectcanvas.net/
I just gave up sugar this past weekend! It has been difficult, but it is getting much better already 🙂
Cheyanne
balancedherbivore.com
That sugar addiction is real! I’ll try to cut it out for a week and go from there.
-LENA
http://www.lenarevealed.com
This is so inspiring. For me, I can easily avoid sugar in most things but my weakness is alcohol (which is really high in sugar). Wine, cocktails, etc. I know that I’ll feel better and look better if I cut down on it, but I keep putting it off. This post was just the kick in the butt I needed!
xoKaelen | http://darlingmarcelle.com
I am definitely a sugar addict. I am not a fan of junk food; I eat clean and healthy most of the time, but sugar is my weakness. And I understand that for me it’s much easier to cut sugar out of my diet entirely, than control it in some way, because I notice that it’s getting out of control pretty fast. So, I did 20 day sugar free detox and I can definitely say how much difference it made! I am trying to eat sugar right now no more than two-three times a week; so far it’s working 🙂
I have a question – what about honey?
Honey is a natural sweetener and has healing processed sugar is man made and has a negative effect on the body it has been linked with cancer in many studies
Honey is the same thing as table sugar – it’s a combination of glucose and fructose. You’re not changing what you ingest, just how you ingest it.
Wow that’s amazing. I have heard of this diet before and I’ve always wanted to give it a try!
http://www.theavantguardian.com
sugar is one of the nastiest addictions. Glad to hear you overcame it! x
I have been thinking of taking a break from eating processed sugars! It is really hard to especially when others around you do not eat the same way!
http://thegirlfromconnecticut.com/
Yep, quitting refined sugar can be hard but it’s def. possible and a great choice for our overall wellbeing. We don’t need to completely quit it because I think that its not realistic and sooner or later the craving will be so bad and we’ll eat everything sweet in sight. 😛
http://lartoffashion.com
In love with your dress <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
This is so timely! I’m on day 3 of whole 30. ONLY whole foods, no bread or beans or dairy. The food hangover is real but I can’t wait to see how I feel after all of this. Strongly recommend reading “It Starts With Food.” It’s eye opening!!
I did this a few years ago when my acne was just out of control. Don’t know if it helped my skin to calm down but I know the feeling of wanting to eat something sweet after each meal.
Nathalie
http://www.nathalie-alexandra.blogspot.com
Love this homely vibes of the photo, so warming and lovely. Looks good on the new diet!
xx
Xin
http://xincerely.blogspot.com
Such a wonderful thing to do for the better of our health. I respect your will power to say no to sugar. It’s not an easy thing to do. Much respect! What a nice little story! 🙂
🌸🍃LA BIJOUX BELLA 🌸🍃| By Mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
I’ve definitely minimized my sugar intake and see a massive difference in my energy, skin and weight control. It’s SO HARD though, so i’m super proud of you!
http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com
I think this is a great idea. I’ve also been trying to eat healthier and not eat so much junk food/sugary foods. It’s been a challenge but my acne is grateful for it (cuz it’s gone!)
Genevieve | http://www.blueaugustine.com
I love this idea! I’m not sure that I would have the will power to avoid sugar while traveling, though. It’s good to hear you feel more energized. Looking flawless as always!
xx Brooke
http://www.stylebrooke.com
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