Everything we love or, as we like to refer to it as the “GOOD Stuff”, has sugar.

Y’all know I love my Dutch dark chocolate!

You also already know that the sugar you put into your body is increasing your risk of dying of heart disease. You’re also probably aware that sugar has a lot to do with the belly fat you may be carrying around. In short, I don’t have to sell you on the idea that sugar is bad and giving it up is good.

It’s SO hard though but completely doable.

What you need to know is how to do it, and what it will feel like to end your sugar addiction once and for all.

How Much is Too Much?

If you’re a woman eating around 2000 calories a day, 6 teaspoons (25g) of sugar or less is your goal.

Would it surprise you to learn that the average American adult eats almost twenty teaspoons a day? That’s sixty-six pounds of sugar a year!

Imagine sixty-six bags of sugar sitting in front of you right now.

Wow.

It’s pretty unbelievable.

So Exactly How Do You Give Up Sugar?

The truth is that it boils down to doing just that – giving it up. There is no magic switch you can flip to get to the other side of your sugar addiction.

If any of y’all have found it, please share!!

But, till then, there are definitely choices you can make that will help get you there and stay there.

Go Slow.

You don’t have to kick the sugar habit in 24 hours, and besides, you couldn’t if you wanted to. Taper down slowly by cutting your daily sugar intake a little more and more every few days with the goal of being sugar-free in 2-3 weeks.

If you stop cold turkey, you may get discouraged and quit. It’s also true that the likelihood you’ll suffer more significant withdrawal symptoms increases if you move too quickly.

Tell Everyone You Know.

Don’t say, “I’m giving up sugar.” Say instead, “I gave up sugar.”

It’s so much harder to eat a big piece of cake when you’ve told your friends & family that you no longer eat sugar. This kind of accountability really does work, so don’t skip it.

Set Yourself Up For Success.

Clean out your kitchen cabinets, pantry, refrigerator, desk and anywhere else you keep sugary treats. You’re not strong enough to have goodies sitting 10 feet away from you at this stage of the game.

Yes, even those “once in a while” skittles you have hidden in the back of the cabinet.

Become a Sugar Detective.

You may think that all you have to do is stop eating sweets and drinking soda (or pop, depending on where you’re from.)

The sad truth is that sugar is sneaky and it hides everywhere – even places you’d never expect. You’ll find loads of it in things you’ve been told are healthy, like granola, fruit grain bars, yogurt, and fruit juice.

While I can’t possibly list every food that has hidden sugar in it, there is an easy way to be certain it doesn’t sneak into your diet.

Download an app like Loseit or MyFitnessPal and log every bite of food you eat. The app will keep track of calories and carbs and protein, but seeing the amount of sugar you eat is a real awakening.

You can even scan things right in the store so that you can make a decision about whether to buy food based on how much sugar is in it.

Expect and Understand Sugar Withdrawal.

There are challenges you’ll face as you remove sugar from your diet. You’d be wise to know what you’re up against so that you can prepare to deal with whatever comes your way.

If you’ve decided to be tough and quit sugar cold turkey, the unpleasantness of the following symptoms may be more severe.

You’ll notice the cravings first. You will smell every cookie within 100 feet of you and you’ll want it more than you’ve ever wanted anything in your life.

Chocolate Chip Cookies get me every. time.

Some people say to drink more water and eat more protein when you crave sweets. At the end of the day, you just have to power through it. Keep your mind busy, and your body moving. Call a friend for encouragement.

You may experience headaches and have flu-like symptoms. Your body will probably ache and you may feel very lethargic. You won’t be as clear-headed as usual, so now isn’t the best time to make important decisions

Warn the people you love that you’ll be pretty grumpy. Even if you’re usually a sunny person, sugar withdrawal might cause you to be more like a raging thunderstorm.

Trust me. It’s not pretty.

And Now, The Good News.

You won’t believe how much better you’re going to feel in a few short weeks. You can expect your mind to be sharper, your risk factor for a number of chronic illnesses will diminish, you’ll lose weight, and most people will even start sleeping better.

Doesn’t that sound fantastic? Isn’t it worth it?

You can do this. You deserve this. I believe in you.

What are the challenges that are keeping you from cutting sugar from your diet? I’d love for you to share!

Have you tried to give up sugar?

Share your experience below!