SUGAR: Do you cut down or go cold turkey? The benefits of either are amazing! Slimpodder Ava Brodie used her sugar pod, which comes as part of the Slimpod Gold programme, then decided she needed to take more drastic action.
I hope her video story will inspire you to realise that sugar doesn’t have to be the enemy that destroys your weight loss ambitions.
Like it did with Ava, your Slimpod will rewire your brain for peace and serenity around food.
Ava, who is 62 and lives in Lancashire, was a size 14 before she started listening to Slimpod in February 2020. She lost weight and felt good about herself – but she knew she could do better.
So she did hours of research into the harmful effects of sugar and what she found out was the trigger that made her decide three months ago to ban it from her life for ever.
Today, Ava is a size 8 and has lost three and a half inches from her waistline since stopping sugar in the summer.
“My BMI has dropped from 29.5 to 23.5 – which means that I’m no longer overweight, let alone being on the verge of obesity,” she says.
“The sugar pod just hit a nerve and made me realise I CAN stop eating sugar.”
Click on the image below to watch her video
Ava’s advice on how to stop eating sugar
Ava admits: “Since I was a girl I can’t remember a day going by without eating sugar! I used to call myself a sugarholic…until now!
“I’ve gone just over three months without eating any form of sugar or sweeteners in food and drinks and here’s what happened!
“For the first 10 days or so I had these side effects: headaches, spots and rashes on my face, sleep disruptions, fatigue, irritability and cravings for carbohydrates – sugar!
“Then after that I started to feel so much better. I had more energy, better quality of sleep, a clearer complexion, a feeling of contentment – and no more sweet cravings!
“What helped me was drinking two litres water a day, eating protein with each meal, eating more berries and citrus fruit and replacing coffee with hot water and a slice of lemon, or green tea.
“I still have one coffee daily with unsweetened almond milk and make it frothy in my blender – it’s lovely.
“I also found it important to distract myself when I got cravings.
“I can’t begin to tell you how happy and thrilled I am to have done this! I’d lost quite a bit of weight and a lot of inches with my Slimpod but then I got stuck and nothing was moving.
“After one week of going sugar free my weight started to come off again and I’ve lost 36lbs in total since starting Slimpod in February of this year.
“At 62 I feel more energised and happier than I have in a long time. To be finally free from sugar is such a relief.
“If anyone is thinking about it…just do it. Don’t be afraid to listen to your sugar pod.
“For me, going cold turkey was the option I took and I feel that was the only way that I could really and truly give up the sugar!”
Why you should stop eating sugar
The NHS recommends that adults should have no more than 30g of free sugars a day, (roughly equivalent to 7 sugar cubes).
Free sugars are those which are added to food or drinks, and sugars found naturally in honey, syrups, unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies and purees.
They should not make up more than 5% of the energy (calories) you get from food and drink each day.
Free sugars are found in sweets, cakes, biscuits, chocolate and some fizzy drinks and juice drinks. For example, a can of cola can have as much as 9 cubes of sugar – more than the recommended daily limit for an adult.
Most people go way over their daily limit because processed food, takeaways and convenient ready meals are jam-packed with sugar.
Stop eating sugar and lose weight
When you pour excess sugar into your body it plays havoc with hormones like insulin and leptin.
Insulin converts sugar into energy but large doses of sugar hamper its work and wreak havoc with your body. This is called insulin resistance.
Leptin is a hormone which controls your appetite. When you become insulin resistant, leptin gets overwhelmed and you constantly crave food – especially sweet things.
Cakes, biscuits and fizzy drinks pile on the pounds around your middle and you become a fat storage machine.
This is because high blood sugar levels release a flood of insulin through your body and over time this makes fat build up around your belly.
This is especially dangerous because these abdominal fat cells release hormones that bring on the kind of inflammation that can cause heart disease and cancer.
Read more in this blog post:
Stop eating sugar and feel better, look younger
Do leave a comment below!
Please let me know what sugar’s doing to your life! I read every comment and although I can’t promise to answer every one, they give me invaluable help in creating new content for you.
44 thoughts on “Stop eating sugar right now and feel the amazing benefits”
I’ve not eaten sugar since the mid 1990s as it makes me so ill – sometimes enough to have been to A&E. I can’t even eat fruit, though I’m ok with a small amount of lactose. It was destroying my life! I’m so glad to be rid of it and the terrible mood swings, migraines, extreme dizziness…
Ava, this is so inspirational. Thank you so much. I am a total sugar monster and am desperate to stop.
Hi I’m diabetic but not on medication for it. I’m fine in the day but when I sit down with my husband in the evenings, I crave sweet things. I try to eat a healthy diet but sometimes fall off the waggon. I don’t know how to stop the cravings but I will listen to the slimpod
Awesome & congrats! I am on the road to doing the same! Only 3 weeks in & truly no cravings
Desperate to stop being addicted to sugar but at the same time I worry about what I will.eat at Xmas or other special occasions if I cant have sugar!
Do you have to give up all carbs as well? I thought if you carry on with carbs which are sugar you will still get cravings
When I read about insulin resistance it struck a cord, that’s how I feel, I must do further research to see how I can stop this. Thank you
Regards
Sue Burford x
I joined Slimpod 12 weeks ago now & started to listen to the sugar pod straight away & within a couple of days I began to notice a change in my desire to eat sweet things. I’ve since had a packet of biscuits in my cupboard since the end of July & they are still there!! I’ve not completely stopped eating sugar as I have had a couple of bits of carrot cake (my nemesis) in the last 12 weeks but I can’t honestly remember the last time I bought chocolate which for me (being 18.5st at my heaviest) is something I never thought I would be able to say….! So far on slimpod I’ve lost 10lbs (down from 13st 11lbs when I joined) & I’m now getting back into my ‘I’ll save those clothes just in case I do loose weight’ wardrobe….result! Still a way to go so decided to join Slimpod Extra yesterday. Not putting any pressure on myself but cutting out sugar from my life (except the very rare appearance of a bit of carrot cake every other month obviously ), I’m swimming more, doing yoga & continuing to be mindful about my food choices. Over the next 3 or so months, I WILL hit my 1st weight goal…12st! Then over the next 6 – 9 months I WILL hit my ultimate goal & be able to wear a size 12!!! Onwards & upwards as they say!
I am so proud of you Ava .I’m disappointed in myself last week I stopped eating sweets, chocolate, but found I was eating more crisps and my coffee intake had increased, but I was feeling better it’s been three weeks since using Slimpod I felt I was in control- then I had a horrible weekend with my ex- and everything went down hill- I started eating my way through sweets, cakes, chocolate and crisps then though I still listen to my Slimpod I feel alone
Interesting email. I’m definitely addicted to sugar and can echo those sentiments of cravings!
I’m struggling with getting access to My Programme i.e. Slimpod and Extra on my mobile phone (sent you an email yesterday from my mobile)
Hello Alice, We can’t find any trace of your email I’m afraid. Would you mind sending it again to CustomerServices@ThinkingSlimmer.com. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I’m not eating sugar now. Stopped just over a week ago. I’ve done it before but slipped up and gone back. I find sugar very addictive and am best when I have none. Thank you Ava you are inspiring me to keep going with this.
Hi Ava I have done total sugar detox. Was wondering why I was suffering with headaches and disturbed sleep but now I know no sugar!!! Feel like I have lost weight and feel so much better. Congratulations on your achievement well done x
This is great Ava and well done, very pleased for you Can you please advise me, did you totally cut out Alcohol? and what about bread and cereals, Kind regards Janet
I think I need sugar after dinner
I would love to drop the sugar
What an inspirational video! I was a chocoholic before starting slimpod but now hardly ever eat it. I don’t know if I would give up altogether but I’m certainly going to make a concerted effort to reduce further
Well done Ava . Very inspiring and my sugar free days started this morning – so far so good
Wow Ava I am super impressed and well done with giving up the dreaded sugar and your weightloss. I have never gone a day without sugar and I am 58 years old. I have never contemplated it either until I read your article. I know it would help with weightloss and general well being and I am thinking perhaps 2021 will see me do so. Many thanks
I find it incredibly difficult avoiding something sweet to eat with my afternoon cuppa!
What about alcohol? How can I enjoy a drink at the weekend without sugar?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hi there. Cutting out sugar might not be for everyone so if just reducing your free-sugar intake is better for you, then that’s what you should do. In regards to drinks, there are so many sugar-free drinks that can be enjoyed – spirits and mixers for example could be a great option to try.
Great information
I’m collecting fat on my tummy always been trim but after menopause I’m eating lots of sugary products and feel rubbish thanks for this post
Day 1
I have just made myself nut brittle because that’s all l have in the house, earlier l are 2 bars of choc! It’s taking over my life. I need help!!
I crave sugar from when I get up in the morning i until I go to sleep. Sugar rules me . I’m so desperate to give it up it makes me miserable.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Why not try Slimpod free for 10 days? As the programme progresses, at the right point to make it most effective, we give you a sugar pod to add to your Slimpod and Chillpod. Here’s where you can enrol for the trial:
https://thinkingslimmer.com/gold-free-trial/
I am trying to get off sugar but it’s a struggle. I have managed to have tea without sugar but somedays the craving gets out of control and l have one or two biscuits. I really would like to not even crave for sweets or biscuits. I have tried taking a fruit when l have a craving. I really want to lose weight which is why l want to stop taking sugar.
Really want to try this. I used to follow a sugar free diet as well as low salt but can’t seem to do it any more. I know it works to maintain a healthy weight so am determined to restart my healthy diet.
It’s at night when I need sugar. Can go all day then after dinner it starts. Can’t resist it. I’m not hungry just need a sweet fix. Jelly cubes are my latest
Awesome and so happy for your success. I’m definitely going to move forward with stopping all sugar , cold turkey- REALLY looking forward to all the benefits, especially as I’m 46 and need all the healthy life style I can get – thank you ?
I gave up sugar last year as a last resort to lose weight, I literally lost 3 and a half stone in 3 months and haven’t put a pound on since, most effective thing to do to lose body fat
I am completely addicted to sugar. I crave it all day. Buckets of ice cream, cakes etc I’m a good 3 stone overweight. Miserable
This is what it’s doing to my life: can no longer eat ANY fruit, veg or savoury also NO protein whatsoever. My whole day is made up of sweet foods. Can no longer keep up my exercise or even day to day things like dog walking. Have been type 2 diabetic for about 14 yrs.
I have cut down on sugar but still have a coffee when we’re dining out, I will revert to tea for a hot drink which I never add sugar to.
I love a desert and know this will be the tough one to give up but I am determined to get rid of my excess weight
I’m scared of how I’m going to cope and feel.
I’m still confused about sugars I use sweetener in coffee no way I would give up coffee I hate water I put unsweetened juice in water to drink it I don’t eat cake, chocolate or biscuits etc,I make my meals from scratch I usually eat chicken with veg and sweet potato but mostly eat curry’s and chilli only use spices no salt no sugar,so please where am I going wrong I’m clinically obese @18st 7lbs
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Mary, One of the Slimpod Team will be in touch via email in the next 24 hours to give you a private reply.
Interesting read. Willpower is my issue and I think if I could cut down, cut out sugar it would be the new me!
As someone who has had cancer I know I should give up sugar for my health. I also need to lose at least 3 stone. I’ve recently got out of a mentally and emotionally abusive relationship. Food and sweet things were and still are my comfort. I really need help. Money is short as he was supporting me and I’ve had to set up a new home . Cutting out the rubbish should save me money as well!
Hi
Please help me get off augar . I am a slave to it. I crave chocolate at night. I’m not even hungry. I am a Diabetic controlled by medication, but blood sugar is rising
What do I eat instead
Don’t know where to start I would rather eat anything sweet mor than lunch or dinner I need discipline badly I’m getting heart palpitations alway tired lacking energy bad sleeper.
I’m always exhausted and totally addicted to sugar! One ice cream – what is ONE????!!
I’m 72 5’ 3” and weigh 8st 10lbs. That sounds great to most people but I have a big stomach and can’t wear anything even slightly tight. I feel as though I look pregnant. I’m addicted to sweet things. I’m just about to stop eating cakes biscuits and sweets, Can I eat things like dates and fruit to ease the cravings.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Hello Sandra, Fruit is perfect to snack on as it contains natural sugar rather than the processed sugar you find in cakes or biscuits. But beware of eating too much as this can raise your blood sugar level too much, possibly leading to insulin resistance. Google insulin resistance and you’ll see the effect this can have on your waistline.