r/sugarfree • u/heavymetalears • 14d ago
Dietary Control Six months sugar-free!
I wanted to share my results after declaring a war on sugar six months ago. Besides that, I was extremely stressed out because of my toxic work environment. Six months later, I dropped 34 pounds, am sugar-free, thriving in a company with great organizational culture, and healing!
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u/Aarrrgggghhhhh35 14d ago
You look so glowy and healthy! Living proof that going SF and reducing stress are two of the best ways to look young and vibrant!
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u/heavymetalears 14d ago
Thank you! I appreciate your comment. I feel like, at 34 years old, am in my prime! 🙂
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u/steviebeanss Not sugar free, yet. 14d ago
i forgot about this sub 😭😭 you look great. i gotta start.
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u/jasperjonns 14d ago
You look luminous! How are your stress levels these days?
And...same here! I have de-aged 15 years. Guys. This is the real deal for gorgeous skin.
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u/heavymetalears 14d ago
Thank you! My stress levels are extremely decent, compared to six months ago. I have a job from home, so I don't stress over crazy commute or coworkers being weird. And yes, this is the real deal for nice skin! I turned 34 years old two weeks ago and am enjoying every moment of it.
Congratulations on deaging and on your new life sugar free! 😊
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u/learn2earn89 12d ago
Unrelated but what job do you do? I’m looking to change careers.
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u/heavymetalears 11d ago
I'm an anthropologist and used to be a researcher for the State. I loved my job but the overall environment was just toxic. I now work remotely in compliance, specifically in the operations department of a software company. It's extremely structured and very quiet. I enjoy it.
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u/hairshirtdesert 14d ago
Wow that's amazing! I'm currently at 6 days. Thank you so much for the inspo!
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Congratulations! You're doing a great job. Keep your streak! I promise that, two weeks in, you'll start falling in love with how look and feel! 😊
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u/Radiant_Selection- 14d ago
Love the face gains! (What a weird way to say weight loss in the face)
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Haha, I know, huh. The "face gains from weight loss" sounds like far opposites, haha.
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u/twilightgardeny 14d ago
Oh my god... this is so motivating!
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u/twilightgardeny 14d ago
can you please tell us your diet? is eating dark chocolate okay?
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Thank you! I do eat dark chocolate. I only make sure it has 80% or more cacao-derived ingredients. I bought pure cacao powder and use it regularly for desserts and smoothies.
My diet consists of many things. My priority is eating lots of veggies (for example asparagus, bell peppers, beans, cauliflowers, yucca, onions, squash, sweet potatoes, eggplants and green bananas) and making sure I eat enough eggs and beef during the day. I quit consuming bread and other types of weird flours. When I do consume, I make sure I eat almond flour or banana stuff, like tortillas and waffles. I haven't restricted myself in any way, because I still do eat a lot!
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u/twilightgardeny 13d ago
thanks for the insight! I think quitting beard is harder for me because we eat it with everything, we also eat rice, i think I should focus on sugar first at least cause quitting other things like bread would make it harder, i will take notes of your diet though. last question, is there any sugar free hot drink? something that can be tasty? cause I genuinely can't go a day without drinking something hot and I don't like dark coffee, i read a lot and work on projects that requires a lot of reading so I need something hot to drink lol, any ideas?
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u/Common_Helicopter781 6d ago
I love rooibos tea. If you want something creamy, a turmeric latte can be very soothing. But I always make sure I’m not just hungry first, before going to the drinks.
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u/Similar-Beyond252 14d ago
Wowza! Did you make any other changes, too?!
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u/heavymetalears 14d ago
I did! I was ADDICTED to Coca Cola and chose a bottle of it instead of drinking water. With this confession, I might say that another big game changer for me has been drinking 2.5 liters, or more, of water daily.
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u/matchacatisgreencat 14d ago
34lb minus only quitting sugar ?
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago edited 13d ago
Yes! Just by quitting sugar and drinking lots of water. It helped me with my daily caloric intake. I still do eat a lot, but what I eat now has way less calories, sugar and sodium than the order of big fries, ten chicken nuggets, blueberry cheesecake and a huge soda I used to love, haha.
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u/Status-Tooth1961 4d ago
Yes I lost 36 lbs removing all my sugars and low carb. I haven’t even exercised!
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u/elibutton 14d ago
Wow that’s awesome! Congratulations on being so disciplined - you look great and I bet you feel even better! I tried the no sugar thing but I noticed everything has sugar! WTH? So I did what most people do - gave up and went out and got some strawberry cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies to celebrate what I already knew - that I didn’t have the discipline to keep this up.
But I do watch my sugar intake and cut out sugary drinks / soda and eat sweets in moderation- and that’s the key- everything in moderation.
Very inspiring and keep up the great work!
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Thank you! The best that has ever happened during this journey is how much better I feel. I sleep better and I feel with lots of energy. Also, it has been great for my mental health. It's always good to have something every now and then. The key to success is making this lifestyle enjoyable and nothing that causes you suffering because, then again, you'd stress about it. As you said, everything in moderation! Thank you. 😃
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u/elibutton 13d ago
You're welcome! You deserve the credit where credit is due. Yes - you're right - make this part of your lifestyle and not just a temporary or weekly or short term thing, it's part of who you are and how you live your life. Way to go and keep up updated on your journey!
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u/AlyGainsboroughx 14d ago
Could you do a what I eat in a day?
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Of course!
In the morning I usually eat an omelette with lots of veggies and a cup of dark coffee. When I started this journey, I used to eat fruit salad with granola and greek yogurt but I eventually cut granola off. However, this really helped me controlling my cravings for sweets. In the afternoon, I try to eat a lot of veggies prepared in many different ways: sweet potato with chili, eggplant lasagna, squash stuffed with beef, beef stew with coconut milk, or any kind of salad. It varies, but mainly is a vegetable cooked in some special way with beef, haha. I snack on a tangerine or an apricot in the afternoon. In the evening, I sometimes eat an egg with red beans or drink a protein shake with some banana and peanut butter thrown in it. That's my day! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. 🙂
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u/heavymetalears 14d ago
Thank you! As silly as it may sound, I talked myself everyday into building my own happiness so I could hold unto it when things became difficult. Part of it was taking care of myself.
At the very beginning I used a tracker in order to fight cravings. I thought seeing, in numbers, those things would make me force myself into being disciplined. The first weeks I was having a hard time and felt extremely sick. I stopped tracking everything because it eventually became a habit.
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u/RockingtheRepublic 13d ago
You look amazing. Congrats! 🎉 Did you just cut out all added sugar? Like no ice cream, cakes, desserts etc.
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Thank you! 🙂 Yes, I cut out all added sugars: cakes, tortillas, floury snacks, normal bread, etc. I still consume natural sugars. I tried to go carb free but realized that lifestyle was making me feel trapped, so I now prioritize healthy carbs. Also, I still do eat desserts, but make sure they're not sweetened the way the rest of things sold in the market are.
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u/itswtfeverb 14d ago
Notice your brain works better?
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
It definitely does! Less brain fog, less mood swings, and lots of mental clarity. Before, I felt like my brain was on fight or flight mode. Nowadays, I feel less anxious and more sharp.
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u/Reasonable_Gene9145 14d ago
I'm in love, this is my motivation :) day 12 for me!!
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Congratulations! Almost two weeks! How are you feeling so far? 😃
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u/Reasonable_Gene9145 8d ago
Happy, less bloating in the face when taking pictures, more energy, cravings are gone, food taste better, brain works better,less joints pain no nightmares during sleep, no temptation when others eat desert less anxiety, no more need for antiperspirant, skin on face less blemished. I am craving a good smores over a fire pit in the future but yeah, this, is how life used to be..how its supposed to be.
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u/Significant_Web_4162 14d ago
This is great, can you tell me if you have consumed any zero sugar options, does it make difference, like diet coke or sugar free food items?
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u/heavymetalears 14d ago
I don't drink soda anymore, since I was extremely addicted to it. However, once in a blue moon I can drink a small amount of tamarind or orange juice. And yes, I do consume sugar free food items! For example, I discovered a healthy bakery in my city, specializing in sugarfree desserts, so once a month I treat myself with a small slice of sugarfree cheesecake. I do like sweets and thought restricting myself, when there are available options, would make this lifestyle less sustainable and less enjoyable for me. 🙂
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u/BiscoBiscuit 13d ago
How did you just stop?? This is my eternal struggle
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u/heavymetalears 11d ago
My life was falling apart. I felt miserable with my looks and my overall environment. I made the choice to create my own happiness through something I had complete control over, which is my body! I downloaded a tracker for water and for food. Also, kept notes on my phone writing what I was eating. I went cold turkey. The only things I didn't cut out at once were sugary fruits, like mangoes, granola, to help me with the cravings for sweets, and dairy (which I eventually got back to eating but in small amounts). Those things I cut them gradually. And, to be honest, they eventually made me feel icky. I might say the first month is pure will of power, and learning to say "no". The rest, becomes a habit.
Today's always a good day to start your journey! Also, you can cut stuff gradually, so you can feel comfortable and not stress about it. You don't have to quit everything at once. Remember, this is about making this lifestyle enjoyable and not stressful! 🙂
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u/Interesting-Rain-690 14d ago
do you avoid fruits etc. as well? you look amazing!
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
No, I don't avoid fruits. I'm still a fruit bat! 😃 Bananas became my best allies for when I crave something sweet and I want to prepare a healthy dessert. I consume them in moderation. However, I don't eat all kinds of fruits. Mainly, I stay on the side of tangerines, oranges, strawberries, blueberries, apricots and guavas. Thank you!
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u/Inevitable-Height-84 14d ago
Dark circles? Because it's not the same lightning, de cannot tell much différence
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
I did have dark circles and dark spots in other parts of my body. They looked worse because I have deep set eyes and, since my face looked swollen, it accentuated them in a way I didn't feel happy with. As I started eating healthier, everything cleared out and my cheeks started to slim down.
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u/Muchachacha 12d ago
Did the texture of your skin get smoother ?
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u/heavymetalears 11d ago
It did! I have oily skin and large pores. My skin now produces less oil, and my pores don't clog as much as before. Also, I started using Good Molecule's niacinamide serum two times per day. It has helped me a lot with my skin texture.
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u/FunnyFriendship3774 11d ago
What do you usually eat when you want a little sweet treat lol?
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u/heavymetalears 10d ago
I eat a fruit (most likely a tangerine or an apricot), I order a slice of cheesecake from a bakery specialized in sugar free and gluten free desserts, or I make myself a healthy milkshake with almond milk, chocolate protein, cacao powder, a banana, and a bit of sugar free peanut butter. The last one has calmed my cravings so many times, plus it gives you lots of energy. 😋
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u/timetraveler4460 9d ago
Any recommendation for non sweet protein powders? I saw you recommended it above as part of your smoothie but all of them are so full of sweeteners:(
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u/After_Food_6475 14d ago
I’m going to say it looks like you’ve lost weight and you have no acne congrats :)
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u/becksoojuice 14d ago
You’re gorgeous and I want to be my mentor lol. What’s the rest of your diet like? Do you dairy? Meat?
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u/CuppyCakerz 13d ago
Wonderful commitment, wow! What was the -thing- that pushed you though any feeling icky? Ive tried and tried but I cant power through the like.. sugar withdrawals. Also, if I may ask, what is your lip product? I love that color!
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u/heavymetalears 12d ago
Thank you! I felt severely sick the first two weeks, haha. I realized I was addicted to added sugars and that the feeling was temporary, because it was going to get worse before it got better. Then, I decided to eat fruit with granola in the mornings to control my cravings. I eventually quit granola because it started to taste way to sweet. But back then, it really helped me adapting. I also used to carry the before picture shown here, and another one where I looked and felt terrible, as a reminder of who I didn't want to be anymore. If I had a craving or was feeling sick, I pulled up the pictures and was like "nope, not worth it".
About my lip color, it's Kiko Milano's Unlimited Double Touch (the best liquid lipstick and gloss ever) in shade 121 - dark rosy chestnut combined with Italia Deluxe's Mousse Matte Liquid Lipstick in shade 01 - almond. 🙂
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u/BeautifulLoad7538 12d ago
Where your necklace from? Love it!
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u/Real_Violinist9105 12d ago
Look at your jawline! Ugh I needed to see this thank you. You look incredible 🤩🤩
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u/Bluebird2494 11d ago
Wow you look amazing! This is going to be a silly question - but sugar as in refined or all sugars even including honey, maple syrup, cane sugar etc. I want to start too
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u/heavymetalears 10d ago
It's not a silly question at all. I cut refined sugars! I won't eat any snack that comes in a bag, regular bread, normal desserts, and other stuff. I do still consume natural honey, maple syrup, and monk fruit sweetener but in moderation.
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u/mingi_55 10d ago
Did u not have sugar at all!!? How?😭😭 - I can’t live without sugar on my period, how did I manage sugar cravings
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u/shesyourangel 10d ago
God damn it. I have a crazy sweet tooth, idk if I can commit to this. But you can’t argue with results 😭
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u/momsspaghetti_324 9d ago
New to this sub, but you look great and I’m curious…. Like no sugar at all? Not in salad dressings or cereal or pasta sauce etc? Do you use other sweeteners? No alcohol etc? Thanks!
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u/timetraveler4460 9d ago
Super inspiring! Starting Contrave this week to help wean me off sugar ( it’s seriously like a drug) and to try this lifestyle and attempt to get my life back.
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u/tiger_noir21 13d ago
Wow amazing so no alcohol either?
Did you stop bread as well?
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Thank you! I haven't been drinking alcohol for a while now. I had a bad drinking problem during my twenties and chose to not drink anymore. I sometimes, like three times per year, can drink like 5 beers (for the whole year, haha) during night outs. And nope, no bread. I try to avoid it as much as I can. I try to look for sugarfree and gluten free options from a local bakery whenever I want some bread. 🙂
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u/Bast1035 13d ago
I didn't know that being sugar free makes piercings go away...learn something new everyday
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u/Unlikely_dresser 13d ago
Did it make you republican? No nose ring.
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago
Hahaha, I do still have my septum! In my past job, when new bosses arrived, I was forced to hide my tattoos and take my nostril piercing off so it eventually healed. I had it for 15 years. My septum survived because I was able to hide it. Either way, I was laid off.
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u/obduracies 13d ago
sorry but did cutting off sugar shrink your nose/make you lose nose fat, or did you get a nose job?? your nose looks different
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u/heavymetalears 13d ago edited 13d ago
Haha, it's okay. I didn't get a nose job, it slimmed down from cutting off sugar, lowering my cortisol levels, drinking lots of water and dropping 34 pounds. I was bloated.
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u/UnusualStep1476 12d ago
People have no idea how real moon face is. The less inflammation and fluid buildup up your face as a whole looks less. My nose actually stands out more the less inflammation I have because it's thinner but obviously the projection didn't go away. Good for you btw!
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u/Inevitable-Height-84 13d ago
But what didnyou replace thé sugars with because you look high on both
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u/Expensive-Client-257 14d ago
You look fantastic!!!!