Benefits of a sugar free diet

[Apositive]

Except for an occassional snack here and there, I avoid all sweetened and processed foods.

I'm paying twice as much for healthy, whole foods, fruits and vegetables and such than I did when my diet was poor.


Even though I have less spending money for toys, it's an investment that pays huge dividends in health and feeling great.

[MegomanJess]

I too have Type 2 diabetes. It used to be way out of control but now it's very managable. I remember when I first found out I went threw a freek out stage where I had nothing with any kind of sugar in it. After going a week with no sugar I had my 1st soda and wow did it ever taste sugary way to sugary. I tryed diet Mt. Dew which I used to think was god awful now tasted a lot more pleasent. I always suggest for anyone tryig to lose a few pounds to do the no sugar and carbs for at least a week and then see how it changed their taste buds for sugar.

[megojim]

Great to hear Scott! Very proud of you!

[Random Axe]

I know full well about the back of the closet stories. I've got a bunch of vintage looking shirts I'll have at the Meet that would normally be found on the Plaid Stallions site. I can finally wear them again. It's a good feeling to not be forced to shop for clothes that have more than one X in the size.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Awesome Scott. Sounds like all the hard work is really paying off for you!

I've REALLY cut back on my soda intake. I drink maybe one every two weeks here or there. I used to drink at least one a day, and before that change, 3 or 4 a day. Ice Tea is my friend! I haven't really tracked my weight loss, but I can tell my clothes fit much looser and I can get back into some pants that were in the back of the closet.

Chris

[megoscott]

Sorry for the bump. I have still stuck to the program and have not even had so much as a chocolate chip in 2012. I am currently down about 70 pounds. It looks like I've eliminated my T2 diabetes too. Latest blood work came back with slight triclyceride elevation but all other tests are normal to good. I have also, I think, beaten my sleep apnea. I haven't had to use my cpap machine in weeks. I still need to get a new study done, but all indications are very positive.

Just thought Id share some good results. This is a lifelong change and there's no going back. I'm curious to see if I can go an entire year without a cookie, cupcake, donut, brownie, candy bar, pastry or other sugary confection. I'm halfway there so the difficult period is in the rearview mirror.

THAT is great news. Well done. It is amazing how the body can heal itself when you give it a chance. Losing diabetes and sleep apnea--those are two deadly curses for overweight people. Awesome.

After a couple years of reintroducing limited sugar and refined carbohydrates to my life (after 10 years sugar free) I'm 30 days back on the wagon (and the bicycle). Looking forward to fitting into some of these skinny vintage clothes I've been collecting on eBay.

[EMCE Hammer]

Inspiring. I am trying to cut the beer and soda, and I have been exercising here and there. I just want to look sexy for Mego Meet, my motivation is so much less honorable than yours:-) Sipping a green tea right now - after a little melanoma scare, go antioxidants!

[MegoMark71]

Dude if i had a medal i would give it to you hands down. That is an awesome job. Dealing with the same thing myself, i wish i could have done as good a job as you had. I had a few ups and downs in my journey. Damn you are so the man right now.

[jimsmegos]

Wonderful news and super congratulations!

[Random Axe]

Sorry for the bump. I have still stuck to the program and have not even had so much as a chocolate chip in 2012. I am currently down about 70 pounds. It looks like I've eliminated my T2 diabetes too. Latest blood work came back with slight triclyceride elevation but all other tests are normal to good. I have also, I think, beaten my sleep apnea. I haven't had to use my cpap machine in weeks. I still need to get a new study done, but all indications are very positive.

Just thought Id share some good results. This is a lifelong change and there's no going back. I'm curious to see if I can go an entire year without a cookie, cupcake, donut, brownie, candy bar, pastry or other sugary confection. I'm halfway there so the difficult period is in the rearview mirror.

[livnxxxl]

First of all congrats to all of those that are indeed benefiting from a sugar free diet. That is a wonderful accomplishment and one you should be very proud of. Keep on keeping on. I know it cannot be easy at times I am sure. Epecially with the world we live in today being so full of crap foods and lots of sugars at every corner you turn. The odds truly are stacked against a person IMO.

I do not know what it is about sodas that are so addiciting, but they definitely can be. As someone from experience who has drank sodas and then stopped cold turkey on a dime just because I wanted to. I went at least two good years without even drinking a soda then one day my gf and I were out eating and I took a drink out of her soda and then wham! Here I was drinking sodas again. I definitely gained weight from it and take quite a few power naps here and there probably from all of the sugar no doubt. I keep saying I am going to quit again and I will. It is just that it gets so boring drinking taste less water for years up on end. Still though the benefits far more out way the risks.

[RickD]

I went the opposite direction on purprose. Before I blew my back out for deadlifting 450 pounds, I was a power lifter. Weighed in at over 250 pounds. At a high based calorie diet of almost 3500-5000 Calories a day. I was very strong and carried alot of fat! Drank soda all the time, ate fast food 2-3 times a day. Before I would go to the gym I was consume a few slices of pizza or a couple burgers! I was big beer drinker to!

Wasn't until I turned and did bodybuilding competitions that I learned the value of dieting, drinking water, eating healthy, cutting out sugars, soda, etc. It was a lifesaver!

always shoot for 4-5 small meals a day, drink plenty of water, and give yourself some healthy snacks throughout the day. Limit your alcohol intake! (I hardly ever drink alcohol anymore)

Soda, sugar, sodium, and fast food are the

[Den82]

Last summer I cut out Soda altogether after practically living off it. I drank nothing but Seltzer and I was about 125 pounds (29 year old male, yeah I know).

Now I am back to drinking it like water. I hate it, but I am hopelessly addicted to Coca Cola. I can go through 2 litters a day with no problem at all.

[Random Axe]

As a diebetic, I kinda have to eat this way permanantly, so I do consider this a life change, and there's no going back. I may, at some point, have sugar but I don't even find it appealing anymore. My wife and I used to share Orange Julius at the mall when shopping, but now I just buy for her.

Sugared sodas are the worst. Not only does the sugar go directly into the bloodstream without any filters, they have absolutely no value. I couldn't even imagine drinking a regular soda at this point. The key element here is not to drink your daily calories away. If you have to, ween yourself down by mixing a 50 percent diet into the drink and try that for a week or two.

What I've given up is insignificant to what I will gain. There is no food on earth that tastes better than feeling good.

[Adam West]

That is freaking awesome to hear. Personally, I just rediscovered that I still have a rib cage. Still not a single sweet treat in 2012, and I have no plans in the future. Everyone always tells me I should treat myself every now and then. I disagree. The treat will be buying smaller clothes.

I think what they really mean is don't go on a lifelong diet because it doesn't work for most people. I have been doing the low carb thing for 4 years + and don't think of it as a diet....I just think of it as a change in my eating habits. And yes, I do love bread, cake, cookies, etc. as much as the next person. I just have personally found that treating yourself to a piece of cake or some other item that is not part of your normal eating will satisfy the cravings, not make you feel deprived, and help you stick to a long term plan. Congratulations on the weight loss.