No Sugar New Year Challenge (Page 4)

SmartBalance makes good peanut butter and sugar is not in the top 3 not sugar added but molasses is #4 or 5. It is natural with omegas added and it does not need to be refrigerated either.

A question I saw but didn't see the answer to about dings. If you mess up multiple times in a day is a ding per time or one ding per day. I know me if it is one ding per day I'd tend to do a more binge bad eating so I think ding per offense is better but that is just me...helps motivate me to get back on track after a slip if we/I had any.

1 Ding (X) per Slip-up Event.   If you have a binge in the morning and (God-Forbid) another binge episode at night = 2 Dings (XX)

I always buy the kind you are supposed to stir/refrigerate....I never refrigerate it.  It just means that the oil separates from the PB, so no big deal.  I dont like cold PB.

Wait.  It doesn't go bad?

Because trying to spread cold PB is a HUGE PITA!

I would love it if I didn't have to refrigerate it....

I am scared to do this but I really need to get off the junk and diet soda. I want to lose the last 10-15 lbs and I am not going to do it while on junk.

Also - my hubbie is going to do it with me - he isn't on BT but he said he would try this with me. Figure if both of us in the house was doing it it was better than one of us eating junk and the other not.

I am sure I will slip up since I am a chocolate and sweet addict but will give it a shot. I will weigh on Sunday and let you know.

Stacie

Nope I've never had it go bad, but then again it only lasts about 4 weeks in my house  

Just like the salad dressing and peanut butter -- let's keep posting everyday popular foods and condiments that do not have sugar as a top three ingredient!!

Does anyone know of an oatmeall instant mix that doesn't have suagr in the top three?  That's gonna be a super-tough one!!

Stacie,

That's awesome that your husband is on board with you!!

I'm in!

No ice cream is going to kill me...

Starting weight: 180

So what is you guys plan of what you'll do when you get a sugar craving?

Having a plan is helpful to know what to you will do.

I had some thoughts...

1. Call a friend
2. Go for a short walk outside
3. Hop on the trainer
4. Change my location in my house..get out of the kitchen
5. Make a list of why I want to do this and lose weight to look at when I'm weak to see the benefits outweigh the food/desire.

I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi...so I'll  try drinking a lot more water. For caffine what do you suggest? I don't drink coffee..maybe some hot tea in the morning. 

Kathy, have you tried green tea?  You can find many different flavours and it has caffeine. 

Will plain, old club soda be allowed? 

So I had to bake for my kids' holiday parties yesterday, and needless to say, I sampled more than my fair share! I woke up this morning feeling so sluggish. I'm really exicted about this challlenge, and I thought...what am I waiting for?  A certain "start date" to begin eating the way I should be?? I know I will just try to squeeze in more junk b/t now and Sunday night,so........I'm going to take the plunge today. gulp!

have a great day everyone!

I've thought about doing the same but am not quite ready. Great dedication and good luck jellomom!

Those are some great ideas, Kathy. 

I don't have a plan yet.  I don't eat sweets when I am at home; it's mostly at work (the vending machine, the bakery next door, the food everyone brings in).  I taped a quote to the top of my monitor that says "You can quit & no one will care; but you will always know."  (I stole it from someone's tag line.)  I'm hoping the reminder will help me remember that I really want to be the best triathlete that I can be and getting rid of the sugar will help me get there.

I made the switch from soda to water when I was in college.  Thankfully, I never went back to soda.  I pretty much only drink it when I go out to eat or something and even then I usually only order water.  Thank goodness, I don't have to go through sugar and caffieine withdrawal at the same time.

Get outta here Mark!! Holy Cow ...  Dude, I am so proud of you!

Great ideas Kathy!  And remember: if you need a Sugar Fix you can always get a natural one:  eat a banana, strawberries, Orang Juice, raisins -- all these foods can give you a quick 30 GRAMS OF SUGAR!!  The difference is, it's natural sugar so your body knows how to break it down properly, and it will not immediately be turned into fat.

Okay, here's a link to my Before Pictures.  Someone else please post some before pics too!  This will be more motivation for me to stay the course! http://beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=11002

oh my gosh. I'm terrified....I'm part diet coke. But I know its an addiction. I justify it as I've never smoked, don't really drink, don't do any drugs, and my eating vices generally are carbs.  That is going to be the hardest part, but I've LONG thought about it...

I think I'lll try. I don't think I'll be successful, I have terrible will-power when it comes to this, especially on my own, but I'll try. As Kathy said, its ridiculous that I did an IM and I'm more terrified of this challenge!

Guess I'll be doing lots of whole foods and Trader Joes shopping.

Question, what about wine? I'm not a wine drinker, maybe have had 4 glasses in the past year, but was looking for a way that my friends wouldn't give me a hard time when we went out.

I would say craisin, raisins and fruit in general.  Certainly getting out of the kitchen and doing a bit of training might help the craving pass.  I am still bouncing this idea around as I really enjoy diet coke, which would be my achilles heel in this challenge.

Last I heard, DC said alcohol in general was fine as long as you were not overindulging in which case you would get dinged.  Obviously, you would not be able to partake in any sweet/sugary drink, but I would think that wine would be fine.  I am sure that there are several beverages that you would be able to enjoy while out with the friends that would not get you in trouble with this challange.  Anyway, that is my interpretation of the rules.  I am sure that DC will correct me if I am off base. 

Yup, wine is fine

For all you Diet Soda Junkies -- don't hate me, but...  there's a serious link between soda and cancer; diet soda especially.  Cancer thrives in an acidic evnironment and soda is acidic.  For as many reports you'll find that say there is no link between soda and cancer, more and more studies being released are saying Yes, there is a definite link.  Soda has also been proven to rob your body (bones primarily) of many key vitamins and minerals - calcium being a big one.  I have a good friend you works for Pepsi, and he confirmed that yes, the studies are true - and that in many ways soda is as bad for us as cigarettes.  Remember back in the 50's and 60's everyone dismissed the few studies that said cigarettes were bad; well, soda (diet soda especially) are the new Marlboro's.  Please let's not debate this.  But I just wanted to state this for anyone who wants to quit soda and needs the extra oomph to do so.

Here's a quick article from the mayo clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2006/aug-6.html

And just like a pack of cigarettes will not harm you, a couple liters of soda will not either.  But drinking a glass or two a day for several years will have a negative cumulative affect; just like smoking. 

I don't hate you and know it is a good thing to give up. When I didn't drink it I lost more weight. I may whine and complain but know it is good thing to do.  I drink a lot as I'm home during the day.

If I complain to much keep my feet to the fire.

Funny how certain types of cigarettes were doctor recommended back in the day.

I've been trying to cut down on my sugar for a while and have noticed 2 things when I crave sugar:

1- I usually have not had enough water during the day

2- I have not eaten enough protein for the day

Sometime if I just drink more water the craving goes away.  Another trick when craving sugar....go brush your teeth.   

I've been posting pics in my album for a few months.  I'd like to drop a few pounds, but mostly I'm focusing on changing my body composition.  I will take a new one this weekend and post it.