My life without sugar
To give some background, I'm a mid 40s white male with a desk job. I didn't struggle with my weight until I was about 30 years old. I've always been muscular, especially in the lower body, but I started storing fat in my 30s. I'm 5-11 and my weight has fluctuated between 230 and 250 most of the last decade.
My weight effects my health and that's the reason for wanting to lose some. I don't believe weight is the end all be all predictor of health, you can be very healthy and have and extra 40 pounds. My best friend is of roughly the same dimensions as me and he's a triathlete.
I've tried some diets with varying degrees of success, but I am more convinced than ever that sugar is responsible for the bulk of my health issues. So several weeks ago I cut it out. Not entirely, but I am closely monitoring my intake and trying to stay within the 25 grams a day that used to be what was recommended. I treat all sugars the same because the body processes all sugars the same. Sorry fruit lovers, while there is zero doubt an apple is better for you than a brownie, for my diet I am treating them as the same amount of sugar roughly.
6 weeks in now and it's a dramatic difference. Here are some of the things I am noticing:
1. My appetite is much much less. I believe sugar tricks you into being hungry when you are not. Without a high sugar diet I am more likely to eat less or even skip a meal if I'm not hungry.
2. Weight loss. Obviously I've seen some weight come off and the fat on my belly is shrinking almost daily.
3, Energy. I'm more active in the Summer anyway, so I timed this diet with that to maximize effect, but I am getting so much done on my house right now and not feeling as sore as I anticipated feeling.
4. Sleeping better. Falling asleep more easily and not waking up as often. Feeling more rested when I wake in the morning.
5. Concentration. I feel more able to concentrate at work and stay on task longer.
So far it's been pretty amazing. I cut out sweets altogether, but I basically eat what ever I want as long as I can count the grams of sugar in it. I try to keep it under 25 grams, but don't worry if I'm closer to 30 or 35 some days. I don't think most Americans have any idea how much added sugar they consume and what that does to their bodies. The agricultural lobby is powerful and healthier eating would cut their profits so they fight people having the knowledge they need to make better choices.
We're a culture addicted to sugar and dying from it and we don't even know it. Hope I can keep it up because this seems to have the potential to be life changing for me.
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About two months ago, I decided to eat a low carb diet, after talking with a friend who did the same and has had some really beneficial health results. Sugar is a carb, so the low carb-low sugar thing go hand in hand.
It's not been easy, because I love sweets and have always had a sweet tooth.
Like you, I monitor how many grams I take in per day, but don't get too fanatical about it. I can pretty much ditch the carbs like bread, pasta, cereal, potatoes, and rice without much trouble, but it's the sweets that are the hardest for me.
I've lost only 6 lbs. but that's better than nothing. My digestion has improved so far. I take a low dose med for high blood pressure and that is remaining at a good number.
Everyone here is so right that there's sugar in virtually everything we eat. It's actually hard to get away from it. No wonder obesity and diabetes are so prevalent in our society. My mom had adult onset diabetes and she had several major health issues that came from it, although she refused to watch her diet.
One thing I notice is that many people drink a lot of soda pop and that's one of the worst things. My son who works in a grocery store said he sees many people with carts loaded up with soda pop and nothing else all the time.
OK I don't mean to be the food police, here. Everybody is welcome to do what they want .... but I wanted to say thank you for posting and I hope we both can keep it up!
16,000 of those 18,000 steps are you kicking someone in the ass!
A week ago. No bread, rice, pasta, or sweets. Lost 7 pounds so far. Zero cravings! Only eating veggies, some fruit, and protein. It's weird how good I feel.
But I'm a salad-a-holic, so that makes it easier. A favorite breakfast (hubby likes it too):
Bed of arugula, sliced tomatoes, slice of provolone cheese, with a poached or fried egg on top.
Try it. It's a delicious combination!
I do have sugar free candies in the house, but haven't had a huge need for them.
Thanks for this post. It encourages me to continue on my road to getting healthier!
I need to get smart and do the same and cut the sugar.
It is called "Sugar Blues" by William Dufty.
You might want to check-it out or perhaps you already know about it.
Quite the eye-opener!
Along with the macrobiotic diet.
that was rough!
Lasted about 18 mos. on it and yep, eye opener!
for a medical test I had to take and I'm noticing similar effects -- My
appetite is less, I have few to NO "cravings", and I feel calmer. 
I'm going to try and stick with it.
although the 'detox' was a happy, but unintended result of the 'prep' for a stomach test.
You're certainly right about the cravings! I don't think I ever understood or maybe believed, sugar to be a real addiction, but what I'm going through now tells me otherwise..The only other addiction I'd ever experienced (or maybe recognized) was cigarettes, and while this isn't quite THAT strong, I'd say it's not too much less!...I was irritable and uncomfortable during the pre-test no- sugar, no carb diet, and then after I felt this "calm" and, for me, a surprising decline of interest in food and especially sweets.
Update:. I'm feeling some "return" of the Cravings again 
but I'm fighting it.. .Has this happened to you?..If so, how did you deal with it?
What you're doing is extremely difficult to do. It's good to know the effects that you're provided.
Wishing you the best as you proceed with this project. 
