The day after we came back from Women Rock Chicago weekend, I started my 21 day Sugar Detox adventure. I knew it was not going to be easy but I also knew that it was something that I needed to do! Here is what I found out over the last 21 days...
Day 1 - Since I didn't get back from Chicago until late last night, food options were limited for today but I made due with what I had and made it through the day! Microwaved eggs in a cup were my lifesaver this morning with a little steak added in for good measure! Who doesn't love steak and eggs for breakfast!Day 4 - definitely irritable. unfortunately my 16 year old son was the recipient of the irritability after I got home from gym after work. Not his fault that I was irritable and I felt bad that I took it out on him. Trying to plan ahead for the next few days as I was going to be traveling. Wanted to make sure that I had plan approved foods and snacks so that is was not so tempting to just stop and grab something quick
Day 5 - Long day, but the planned snacks helped! Dinner was definitely non-conversational but it worked. Hard boiled eggs, bacon and baby carrots in the hotel room!
Day 6 - Long day, on my feet working a race expo. So thankful that I can still have my EnergyBits, as they were really needed to help with keeping away the hungries today! Lunch again was quick , but still managed to stick to my plan for the day! Pumpkin pancakes and bacon are really not that bad cold!
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| Egg bake breakfast! |
Day 7 - Color Run morning, walking with friends, followed by a brunch buffet. It would tough figuring out exactly what I could have. I know brunch was not perfect, but I walked away from the buffet without touching the cheesy hash browns that I love, skipping the dessert table and no pancakes or waffles! Thank goodness for carved meats and chicken, as well as a build your own omelette station!
Day 8 - Monday morning was not working with me! With the busy weekend (race expo, lots of driving, plus a color run and grocery shopping), even tho I was asleep my 9pm, my body did not want to get out of bed this morning! Thankfully I did at least some prep last night and had my egg bake waiting in the fridge!
Day 9 - Did ok all day, including figuring out options at the Boy Scout potluck that we had... but got home and to fend off the munchies, I grabbed a few tortilla chips and hummus... oops! But I guess that was better than the chocolate torte looking dessert that was staring at me earlier. (I actually learned later that it was a s'mores dessert, not a chocolate torte so the middle layer that I thought was vanilla pudding was actually marshmallow fluff! So now I don't feel like I missed anything as the marshmallow fluff doesn't even sound good right now)
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| sweet potato with bacon and ghee |
Day 14 - I really have to say that I have been feeling pretty good through the last 2 weeks! I really have not had any huge cravings, even though by bag of chocolates from Chicago is still sitting on my night stand. 1 week to go! Thankfully the family has been supportive of what I have been making for dinner. There have been a few things that John has suggested for dinner that will have to wait, so I guess next week, we will be having French Onion soup for dinner one night!
Day 19 - I caved tonight! We were volunteering at the Annual CP Center Auction and the appetizers that the servers were bringing around the room looked too amazing to pass up. Did learn real quick tho - skip the meatballs, not worth it! However the grilled chicken skewers were awesome! The Bruschetta was awesome too, Yes I did have some and it was worth it! Everything in moderation!
We made it!
Things I learned:
1. I really don't drink a lot of coffee anymore, but for the first time in years, I can honestly say that I don't miss the flavored creamers etc in it! I now am convinced that I can take it black, but on occasion I will add some almond milk or coconut milk/cream, just to change it up a little!
2. I really did not miss the sweets. I picked up a small package of donuts for the guys on Sunday when I was grocery shopping and I really never had the desire to even eat part of one!
3. At the end of 21 days, I splurged. Not over the top, but enough that I realized really quick that I need to keep the sugar in check. Natural sugars in fruit etc is one thing, but chocolate and breads are not my friend! I was so tired, exhausted to the point that I felt like I needed to sleep for 3 days!
4. There were several recipes that I tried that are going to make it into the normal rotation of meals (the Ginger Beef with Broccoli and the Buffalo Shrimp were huge winners!) and there were a few that I will never make again (sorry, the mini meatloaf's were NOT received well by my family and no one even wanted to eat the leftovers!)
Summary:
It was not perfect. I had some slip ups, ate a few things that I should not have, and yes I had a few beers. In the end, I am glad that I did it! I proved to myself that I don't NEED the sweets, breads, and other processed stuff that I cut out in the last 3 weeks. Yes, I missed my Spark in the morning, but that was about the only thing I really missed!
This morning I re-did measurements at the gym and I was happy with the results!
Down a total of about 3 inches between my chest, waist and hips and 3.8 pounds!! I will take it.
Aside from that, I feel great and am ready to roll! I loved the extra energy that I seemed to have and am going to continue with avoiding processed foods when I can, limiting sugar to only natural sugars and trying new recipes!
Are you addicted to sugar?
I challenge you to 21 days! You can do it and you won't be disappointed!
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