Okay, so has anyone else noticed that as they have eliminated a food group they are constantly thinking about food? It’s definitely become a mental game for me. I think “well, I can’t have anything with grains in it, so I should probably eat something more of the protein source we are having…or snack more..or eat more sugar, etc.” How crazy is that? I am realizing that at least for me, when you say I can’t have something I try to make up for it in other ways, by eating more sugar or by eating more food in general…even when I’m not hungry. Not sure if this is because I am thinking more purposefully about what I’m eating so food is on my mind more and therefore I think I need to eat more, or if I’m justifying my not eating grains by eating more of everything else! Ha!
Just wanted to share that and see if anyone else is having the same mind games going on. My thoughts on this…if you are experiencing the same issues, then first off get a grip. Realize that if eliminating a food group is causing you to obsess about what you are eating or stressing you out enough to overeat, then step back a minute. I would say, allow yourself to choose a healthy form of the food you have eliminated instead of binging on ‘junk’ food in place of it. For example, if you are having a salad and you eliminated dairy products and you really would love to have your ranch dressing, then have a small portion of it. Do this instead of choosing a greasy burger and fries just because it doesn’t have dairy in it…see what I mean?
I actually would encourage you, as we are halfway through this challenge to begin to pay attention to how you are feeling. If you are noticing some big changes in how you are feeling, as in some allergy-producing symptoms are being eliminated or you are feeling more energized…then I’d say consider staying off of this food group for a while longer. Or even go so far as to having some lab work done to test this food group as being a possible allergy in your body. Let me know if you have questions about this..I have some great referrals to help you get this done.
If you aren’t noticing any BIG changes, or noticeable ones, then slowly add small portions of the food group you eliminated back into your daily diet and see what happens. I would rather you begin adding it back to your diet in small portions, then completely overloading yourself with the foods you have eliminated at the end of this 21 days and sabotaging all you have done so far. So…today is the deciding factor for where you will move forward too from this point on…Let us know how you are feeling, if you have noticed any changes or not? And let us know what you will be doing from this point forward. Remember: Moderation is KEY.
21-Day Challenge 
I have just felt better but that also may be coming from the fact that I am exercising on a regular basis. I eliminated sugar. I just reach for raisins, natural pineapple or carrots if I really need to snack. I seem to have more energy. The test will be at the end of a work week. That’s when my energy level is at its lowest.
I’m not sure eliminating milk products is doing anything for me. It’s more the diet soda problem – whatever is in that. So I’ll start eating dairy again slowly and keep on eliminating soda and see what happens.
I do not really feel like I have more energy (maybe from being awake all night with baby), but I have been noticing other changes. Before the challenge, I would have stomachaches every day. I often felt sick. I have had digestion issues for 13 years. I have seen specialists and gone though a colonoscopy, upper GI studies, and small bowel studies. They all came back normal, but I continued having problems. SInce the challenge began, I have only had one stomachache. But I am wondering if the stomachaches came from sugar or breads. Since I’ve eliminated sugars, I have had to eliminate a lot of breads as well. The one time I got a stomachache during the challenge was after I ate some sugar free french bread that my husband picked up from the store. Either way, I am feeling a lot better. But, it is still a little hard for me to find things to eat between being a vegetarian and eliminating sugar. I have found myself eating the same things over and over. I need something new. 🙂
I do think of food constantly. I still have terrible cravings. At least every other night I dream of eating sugar. At first the dreams were that I accidently ate something with sugar in it. Now, I dream about sneaking foods with sugar! On Sundays, our family gets donuts after church. Now I can’t do that with them. We used to eat out for breakfast on Fridays as well, but I can’t do that either. I miss that, but now I think I would feel guilty for adding sugar back in…ahhh! What to do!
I have had allergy testing done, and it came back normal for foods.
I have given up sugar for the challenge. I thought about giving up gluten, have already done that due to stomach issues last year. I have found that I feel better when I don’t eat a lot of sugar. Yes, I also find myself thinking about food, and craving sweets more often. I have taken to eating a apple in the afternoon. I get my sweets, but don’t feel guilty about it because it’s natural. I do find that when I falter and eat sugar, I feel really yucky later. So I know what that means. The exercise have been a struggle for me, but find myself enjoying them.
I started out eliminating wheat/gluten, strictly limiting dairy/sugar…I have noticed that the lack of sugar intake makes me feel better and my nose doesn’t constantly “drip” all the time. Now when I do allow temptation to take over and I eat sugar I feel terrible…dizzy, lightheaded. I have slowly added grains back into my diet as going without didn’t seem to solve any problems…it really comes down to the fact I eat too much sugar. In regards to dairy, I have been drinking only Light Almond Milk or the Originial Almond Milk — it’s okay, but if I could go back to drinking Soymilk I would, but have found that it really mess with my hormone levels, so I quit drinking it long ago. The one craving I have had besides sugar is peanut butter…crunchy peanut butter with apples or bananas! Is that odd or what? The exercise portion of the challenge is sometimes difficult for me as I have to modify some of the exercises or do another form of exercise instead. I have increased my water intake and love to have hot tea with honey as I am not much of a pop drinker anyway, but would love a Crystal Light drink soon!
Since giving up sugar, I haven’t really noticed a change. If anything, I feel more tired. That’s probably where the exercising needs to come in. The first couple of days, I did really well exercising. But now, I have kind of slacked off. It must be from working 12 hours. I am still sugar free, but am having cravings like crazy.
I havent notice any changes since I have elimated dairy. but I am still sticken with no dairy. I would love to just eat some cheese but instead I end up grabbing some grapes out of the refrigator. I definetly feel that I have more energy since I have been excerising more.
Since i have elimated diary all i want is ice cream, cheese , and chocolate milk but I usually go grab a glass of water to get past the cravings. I think my energy level is proabably about the same as before but I think its cause I am always on the go from the time i get up tell the time I go to bed
I understand always being on the go and being tired! I would hope and could probably say that if you are able to do the workouts on top of this typical worn out feeling from being on the go…then your energy is improving..you are just expending it on the workouts…make sense?
I am feeling a lot more energy. Working out in the mornings and eating a high protein breakfast have helped alot. I am going to continue to stay away from the sugar for the whole challenge. It felt so good when I made brownies for my family and didn’t even lick the spoon from making them or have a brownie. I have had cravings, but not nearly as bad as I thought I would. Since starting the challenge, I have paid more attention to labels. The sugar in foods was not something that I looked at on labels before, but now I do.
Am going to stick with the no sugars for now….have done amazingly well considering what a dessert fan I am! I have eaten apples and oranges and lots of nuts for snacks. Do miss a piece of dark chocolate now and then, and will probably allow myself that occasionally when the challenge is over. Big breakfasts have been somewhat problematic in that, I am just NOT hungry in the morning. I have eaten omelets the last few mornings, and they are ok, but I miss my Kashi Go Lean Crunch! (too much sugar!) Interesting note….I fixed a cup of tea the other day, as plain coffee just isn’t as good, and I added a bit of honey, and it tasted too sweet! Energy levels haven’t changed much. I am TIRED at night, but going to bed earlier just leaves me lying there for an hour before I can sleep…..old habits die hard! I continue to get up one hour earlier, and am tolerating that amazingly well! I think I really love having the workout done, so I can not worry about trying to fit it in at the end of the day, when all I really want to do is snuggle in for a relaxed evening. Did Yoga (from the last online challenge) this morning as I was a day ahead on exercises….REALLY seemed to help with my severely sore hamstrings! Feel much better this evening. What exercises are up for tomorrow? Am anxious to continue with those, as i am definitely seeing and feeling results. thanks!
Lindy, if the going to bed earlier and getting up early isn’t working for you, then don’t feel obligated to do it, it was only a challenge for this week anyway. 🙂 I would say if you aren’t having any trouble rolling out of bed at your normal time to get the workout in before you go to work, then go back to what was working before. This was only if you were having trouble getting out of bed every morning…or weren’t for that matter… 😦
I am definatly staying off dairy as I have intended to do that anyway over the past year, but haven’t always stuck with it. I also way over due the sugar thing at times so plan to stay off that for now. I think I do better away from too much gluten but can tolerate some, just not a lot. I do think avoiding gluten helps me cut calories in that I just limit my carbs and eat more fruits and veges (apples and pb instead of a sandwich). I do find that when I am off sugar (this time. last year, and last year during lent) I crave Peanut butter, almonds and raisens. I don’t know that I will add anything back yet as I was not that strick on my recent vacation. do have a few formal dinners over the next few days so that is always interesting.
Anna, I really hear what you are saying about deferred calories. I think I’m afraid I will be hungry and succumb to temptation, so I overeat on the things I can have.
Definately feel better without sugar. Sugar is a real problem for me. I know it can make me VERY sluggish, though I have managed it for the challenge. I made 6 loaves of banana bread and two batches of chocolate chip cookies and although I did have one cookie, I felt good about my ability to hold off.
I don’t think going without wheat causes any noticable changes. I sure miss it and am bored with food choices.
Love the accountability to do excercise, as well as practice self-discipline. Thank you!
When I get the workouts in and don’t defer my calories…I feel great! I love the accountability of the workouts and someone telling me what to do! I haven’t noticed a lot of major health changes with cutting sugar and dairy, but feel so much better mentally knowing that I haven’t put a lot of sugar into my body. The hardest part is not eating too many pretzels. For me…the greatest challenge of all is portion control and balance in general. I need to drink more water when I feel the munchies coming on. The arm workout with squats was a killer for me and my legs are still sore from that (tried to do boxer kicks today) and couldn’t straighten my leg! My plan is to continue no sugar until the end (minus Saturday’s double b-day party for my kids). Then I will allow myself one “treat” a day and the rest will be if I’m offered by someone. Whew! I think that’s all.