Maybe a different approach...

I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot to me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie. I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the need/craving to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

Now if only I could find a way to keep the exercise going.

Cp

"Cp" wrote in message
able.rogers.com...
I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot to
me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars
including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie. I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the need/craving
to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

40 days of avoiding sugar should do the trick. If I avoid simple carbs for
just a few days, my cravings subside. This period of time will really give
you and your body time to set a new habit.

det

Hello Cp,

Congrats on setting a reasonable goal for cutting the sugars. You should
set an exercise goal as well, you'll be glad you did.

Take care,

Paul
300/210/175

"Cp" wrote in message
able.rogers.com...
I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot to
me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars
including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie. I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the need/craving
to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

Now if only I could find a way to keep the exercise going.

Cp

"determined" wrote in message
news:51J1c.42249$PR3.830937@attbi_s03...


40 days of avoiding sugar should do the trick. If I avoid simple carbs
for
just a few days, my cravings subside. This period of time will really
give
you and your body time to set a new habit.

det


That's exactly what I'm hoping!

"Ignoramus9863" wrote in message
...
In article .rogers.com,
Cp wrote:
I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot
to me
to keep that promise.

A good idea. I have been avoiding sugar (precisely, anything
sweetened) for 9 months and it has done me much good and has not been
difficult.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars.

just how elevated?

Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are
in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie.
I

The thing is, usually, sugar is added to foods that should not be
eaten to begin with. They would not taste right without sugar. Your
cookies and cakes are one good example. So, by avoiding sugar, not
only you avoid its deleterious effects, but you also avoid a whole
universe of nutritionally worthless foods that are associated with
sugar.

have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped
on the scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't
want to be discouraged.

Just avoiding sugar may not necessarily make you lose any weight.

Anyway, good luck, I am very happy for you.

i

Thanks ig. I've been told by my doctor that I am glucose intolerant. I
believe that's the nicer way of saying "pre diabetic". It's been that way
for awhile now and I seem to be just too stubborn to change my ways.

I realize that giving up sugar is not going to help me lose a huge amount of
weight... heck, it may not even help at all but it will cut out most of my
unnecessary calories that are filling my meals and snacks. Not to mention
all the boredom eating I do. My bigger goal is to start eating healthier.
As I mentioned I do need to find something to keep the exercise.

Don't forget to block Satan's (oops - sugar's) other forms. The
sneakiest is "high fructose corn syrup" aka sugar. I rejected most
tomatoe sauces because of that - I finally found Cento brand. Added
sugars, in all their forms, are the bane of Western society and a
major factor in our obesity epidemic. I eat no added sugars, white
bread, white potatoes, refined grains, or red meat. BTW, I do eat
artifical sweeteners.


"Cp" wrote in message . cable.rogers.com...
I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot to me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie. I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the need/craving to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

Now if only I could find a way to keep the exercise going.

Cp

"Jayjay" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 13:30:43 GMT, "Cp" wrote:

I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot to
me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars
including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are
in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie. I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the need/craving
to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

Now if only I could find a way to keep the exercise going.

Cp



Good luck! :-)

Now, its time to stop thinking in terms of "exercise" and start
thinking in terms of "fun activities"... :-)

I have to ask, on the sugar thing. Does that also mean avoiding foods
that have sugar in them? Like barbque sauce, salad dressings, etc?
What about fruits and yogurt and honey? Or are you just avoiding
sugar, cakes, candies and cookies?

Just curious.

Thanks for the good tidings

Right now I'm working on the obvious sugars and focusing especially for lent
so I have no slip ups on a "well does this have sugar or doesn't it". I
think in terms of diabetes the hidden sugars also have to be avoided. I
figure lick the obvious and work on the tough stuff later.

"Cp" wrote in message
ble.rogers.com...

"Jayjay" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 04 Mar 2004 13:30:43 GMT, "Cp" wrote:

I decided to give up sugar for lent in hopes of jump starting healthier
eating. 40 days to healtier me As I am a Christian it means a lot
to
me
to keep that promise.

I chose sugar specifically because of the problems I have with elevated
blood sugars. Under that sugar umbrella I put all refined sugars
including
juice and ice cream. I'm not so concerned with natural sugars that are
in
fruit. That will come later.

So far it's working well. I have avoided many a cookie, cake and pie.
I
have also started to log what food I am eating. I haven't stepped on
the
scale since monday. I'm waiting a few weeks because I don't want to be
discouraged.

Once lent is over I'm hoping that I'll have gotten over the
need/craving
to
eat sugar which is my biggest downfall. From there I'll work on other
things.

Now if only I could find a way to keep the exercise going.

Cp



Good luck! :-)

Now, its time to stop thinking in terms of "exercise" and start
thinking in terms of "fun activities"... :-)

I have to ask, on the sugar thing. Does that also mean avoiding foods
that have sugar in them? Like barbque sauce, salad dressings, etc?
What about fruits and yogurt and honey? Or are you just avoiding
sugar, cakes, candies and cookies?

Just curious.

Thanks for the good tidings

Right now I'm working on the obvious sugars and focusing especially for
lent
so I have no slip ups on a "well does this have sugar or doesn't it". I
think in terms of diabetes the hidden sugars also have to be avoided. I
figure lick the obvious and work on the tough stuff later.


You may be making it more difficult for yourself by not looking at 'hidden'
sugars in things like condiments, etc. If you respond to sugar the way that
I do, things with high fructose corn syrup can really set off day long
cravings for me. I've spent the afternoon craving sugar before and then
realized a salad dressing had tons of sugar in it causing me cravings.

Also, you may want to choose your fruits carefully. Apples and berries and
other fruits with high fiber will release their sugar into your blood stream
much slower than bananas and canteloupe. It helps me to eat a little
protien with my fruit.

Since I don't particularly like fruits and veggies, I usually add berries or
canteloupe to a soy protien shake made with yogurt. Since both the soy and
the yogurt are very kind to one's blood sugar, the fruit doesn't seem to
have as great of an effect on me and I go for hours without thinking about
food.

Just a few lenten thoughts.....

j

"Julianne" wrote in message
news:MTO1c.7260$PY.2545@lakeread05...


You may be making it more difficult for yourself by not looking at
'hidden'
sugars in things like condiments, etc. If you respond to sugar the way
that
I do, things with high fructose corn syrup can really set off day long
cravings for me. I've spent the afternoon craving sugar before and then
realized a salad dressing had tons of sugar in it causing me cravings.

I can, soooo, agree with that. I have switched to using salad dressings
like blue cheese and other creamy type dressings instead of the more oily
ones that have higher sugar content. I'd rather have a little bit higher
fat and calories and feel more satisfied than sacrefice the calories for
sugar that causes me to crave and eat more junk in the afternoons.



Also, you may want to choose your fruits carefully. Apples and berries
and
other fruits with high fiber will release their sugar into your blood
stream
much slower than bananas and canteloupe. It helps me to eat a little
protien with my fruit.

I've switched to using plain yogurt w/ my fruit and sweeten it with splenda.
Otherwise I find that containers of yogurt that are already sweetened or
have fruit already mixed in has too much sugar that it causes me cravings
later.

And, I don't have blood sugar problems. In my case, my sugars are nice and
low.

"jayjay" wrote in message
...

"Julianne" wrote in message
news:MTO1c.7260$PY.2545@lakeread05...


You may be making it more difficult for yourself by not looking at
'hidden'
sugars in things like condiments, etc. If you respond to sugar the way
that
I do, things with high fructose corn syrup can really set off day long
cravings for me. I've spent the afternoon craving sugar before and then
realized a salad dressing had tons of sugar in it causing me cravings.

I can, soooo, agree with that. I have switched to using salad dressings
like blue cheese and other creamy type dressings instead of the more oily
ones that have higher sugar content. I'd rather have a little bit higher
fat and calories and feel more satisfied than sacrefice the calories for
sugar that causes me to crave and eat more junk in the afternoons.

I am sooo picky about salad dressings. I have recently found a blue cheese
vinagarette that is wonderful with no sugars in it. I also have used a sun
dried tomato creamy pesto sauce designed for pasta on salad with that has
much less sugar that many salad dressings. There is a point when I no
longer have control when I eat too much sugar. I get cravings and they are
stronger than me.

A couple of years ago, I participated in a focus group for one of my
clients. The entire session was video taped. In front of each participant
was a bowl of M & M's and I ate all of them. Had I been asked later, I
would have said that I had 'a couple'. Since then, whenever I have been in
a similar situation, I don't eat the first one. It is so much easier to not
have the first one than to stop after one!




Also, you may want to choose your fruits carefully. Apples and berries
and
other fruits with high fiber will release their sugar into your blood
stream
much slower than bananas and canteloupe. It helps me to eat a little
protien with my fruit.

I've switched to using plain yogurt w/ my fruit and sweeten it with
splenda.
Otherwise I find that containers of yogurt that are already sweetened or
have fruit already mixed in has too much sugar that it causes me cravings
later.

And, I don't have blood sugar problems. In my case, my sugars are nice
and
low.

Good. Keep them that way!

j