More energy from less sugar?

[Twiggynot]

I have been on this weight loss journey for a few weeks now. I have a very sweet tooth and the first couple of weeks were tough because of the sugar cravings which have mostly gone now. What amazed me yesterday was that I realised yesterday on a walk was that I felt I had more energy. Then I realised that when I was eating all the sugary stuff I always felt lethargic - especially in the afternoons. This lethargy seems to have gone along with the sugar cravings ! Perhaps I’ll feel 21 again soon?!

[Tiggerr]

Well done on you journey to date, you're clearly doing really well Twiggy.

Sugar tends to go straight into the bloodstream producing an initial 'energy high' but unless we keep topping up on sugar this is fairly quickly followed by a slump and the lethargy you're describing.

Here's to your 2nd 21st

[Twiggynot in reply to Tiggerr]

I think this losing weight journey is more about eating sensibly and healthily to be quite honest. I think it is just so easy to think that just one treat won’t do any harm. Well, JUST ONE might not do harm but it’s when there are lots of JUST ONES in a day that the lbs pile on. The problem is that there are just too many treats out there to tempt us. The biggest problem of all is eating out when almost everything is high calorie. If I am allowed to advertise here then I would like to say well done to Debenhams restaurant where I ate the nicest feta cheese salad I have ever had in my life! Not sure how many calories in feta cheese though but it looked a good option!

[Tiggerr in reply to Twiggynot]

I went through a stage this year of going backwards and I put it partly down to those 'single ones'. They provide that sugar rush (energy rush) and that leads to a greater craving.

Admins may come down hard on your advertising if they find out you've got shares in the company

[Twiggynot in reply to Tiggerr]

nah! no shares ! I think the sugar sort of satisfies in a way that a lettuce leaf doesn't! That said, the cravings are not there so strong now but I know if I give in and binge on sugary stuff I will be back to square one and I can't afford to do that. My wish to lose weight was prompted by health issues which I look on as an early warning sign. If I don't want to copy the rest of my family (they mostly all have heart disease or have died from heart disease) I have got to lose the weight. I want to see my grandchildren grow up and, as the youngest one is just 7 weeks old, I have got to live quite a few years yet

[Tiggerr in reply to Twiggynot]

Fortunately, the choice isn't between sugar and lettuce but between sugar and (cream, cheese, full fat yoghurt, avocado, nuts and their ilk). That is highly satiating foods.

You've got a very good incentives which are always going to be 'in your face', so to speak.

I'll wish you good luck but it's really about picking yourself up one more time then you get knocked down

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Have you reduced all your carbs, Twiggynot? You've probably switched your body from getting a quick fix from sugar, followed by a quick slump and encouraged it to use body fat for fuel, which lasts longer and doesn't cause a slump. Go you!!!

As for 21 again, hmmmm.........

[Twiggynot in reply to moreless]

Hi Moreless, I have cut out most of the sugary junk stuff but still eating carbs such as brown rice or potatoes . If I have a higher carb meal then I have a smaller portion. I am though, eating much more healthily with salad, veg and fruit rather than a Belgian bun or donut etc. i initially lost a lot of weight quickly but that has slowed . Last week a pound on but I think and hope this week ( weigh in tomorrow) that I will have continued the downward trend as I sneaked a peak on the scales this am!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to Twiggynot]

Good for you! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

[Twiggynot in reply to moreless]

Well, I can dream!

[Brightfeather Maintainer Healthy BMI]

Well done! I too have not had any chocolate or sugar for 3 weeks. Apart from a teaspoon of st dalfour jam ( no sugar added) this morning. My challenge is resisting a glass of wine. Have a lovely day.

[gman1961 Restart April 2024]

Hi Twiggynot,.

I have food in the afternoon or early evening's where I could just fall asleep.

I eat cakes , biscuits and anything else sweet.

I will keep a record of how I feel after eating certain things.

Have a nice weekend.

Gary

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to gman1961]

I used to get bad sugar cravings mid afternoon coupled with tiredness, now I eat more for lunch and it realy helps 😊

[gman1961 Restart April 2024 in reply to IndigoBlue61]

Thanks IndigoBlue61,

I don't eat enough for breakfast then lunch and then I suffer.

Gary

[Twiggynot]

Hi Gary, I was getting into the habit of being a couch potato in the pm. I also started suffering with heartburn after eating lots of junk. Yesterday I suddenly realised I’ve not had heartburn for weeks and I have lost the lethargy which seemed to be slowing up the cogs of my brain. I feel more alive somehow! It’s hard to describe.

[gman1961 Restart April 2024 in reply to Twiggynot]

Sound like it's working for you.

Gary

[maya002]

sugar really raises the level of energy only for a moment when the sugar level falls - energy also drops - often even twice.

[IndigoBlue61]

Well done Twiggynot and I agree totally 😊👏🎉.