SUGAR SHOCK! Reader From Arkansas Shares The Tribulations of Sugar Addiction

Another reader, Angela, 56, from Arkansas wrote to me to discuss the pleasures associated with kicking sugar and the pains of going back on the stuff.

"OK OK OK -- at the age of 56 -- I freely admit I am an addict to sugar.  I did 3 weeks [taking the SUGAR SHOCK! Challenge Connie issued in] chapter 5 -- to the letter. Lost 12 pounds and felt better then I ever have."

Good for you, Angela! But then she did what many of us have done when first tackling our sugar issues:

"Then went back for 3 weeks of OLD EATING patterns and felt WORSE than ever. Thought at one point I was having a heart attack. Zero energy. DIZZY... fuzzy thinking and wanted to sleep 24/7.

"'This is serious. I am an addict. I need a 12-step program to get off the SUGAR. I will not ever go back to SUGAR. Thank you for your BLOG.  Thank you for your book...wish me luck."

Angela, I do wish you much luck. What's more, I believe in you. FYI, there are some 12-step programs out there which focus on getting off sugar, white flour and alcohol.

Just know that you can win over your sugar addiction! Stay tuned for information about a 21-day program I'm unveiling in the fall to help people kick for good.

Comments

[Tucker]

I'm a runner, and I have lots of sugar, ice cream, cereal, drinks -- just about everything -- and I never had problems. I decided to cut back on them and eat only "natural" and wholistic foods, Like Plain old-fashioned oats in the morning, whole fruits, lots of vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains like brown rice, sweet potatoes, lots of fibrous things. After a week of this I found myself feeling really crappy. At times, my stomach felt a little off, felt less energized, and by the end of the day i got irritable at times. At first I thought it couldn't be the change in food because your method is so sure. I thought maybe I was just adjusting so I kept it up. As time went by, my races were getting worse, felt worse, and kept getting sicker. A month after starting, I decided that maybe this no-sugar thing wasn't for me. I went back to having my plain bagels, ice cream, and wonderful sugar. Within a day, I had never felt better. Basically what I think is that maybe this sugar buster thing isnt for everyone. It's been eaten since the beginning of time and people have survived, without diabetes and obesity. I don't think people 200 years ago were pushing for "Whole Grains" and lots of fiber. I think more than anything, obesity is high because people don't move around AND overeat. Not sugar. If I kept out sugar, I would miss out on the social events, like relaxing with friends and having an ice cream cone, Or spliting a candy bar with my brother. Maybe you're a fan of splitting a piece of stone-ground whole wheat bread with your buddies, but i'll pass. Even if I die earlier because of my "bad" sugar intake, at least i'll die happy and with good memories. SUGAR FOREVER!!! Note from Connie: Tucker, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I can see how you feel that sugar in excess -- which sounds like what you're doing is OK -- but I believe you greatly misunderstand me. Tell you what -- I'm going to do a special post about this and reply to you.