The FastDay Forum

[carorees]

The problem with things like pepsi max and artificial sweetners is that the body responds in the same way as it does with sugar... hence the cravings for more (I think)

@debsie This is a pervasive rumour for which (as yet) there is no solid evidence. However, that is not to say that artificial sweeteners are a good thing. It is possible that the mind responds to them as if they are sugar even if scientists have not been able to detect a hormonal response. It seems wise to cut down if you possibly can.

A major problem with pepsi and coke is the presence of phosphoric acid which leaches the calcium from your bones and may well impact on your knees.

Inflammation is associated with obesity...whether it is a cause or an effect of obesity (or neither) is not known. However, fasting is known to reduce markers of inflammation so that is another good reason to climb back on the wagon. Some people think that eating carbohydrates and of course especially sugar promotes inflammation.

I can manage my cigarettes easily - I probably have 10 a week. I'm managing sugar pretty well, no grains at all, minimum fruit, and try to avoid added sugar in prepared food (but don't stress too much about small amounts, such as in Mayo). But wine - no way - can't give it up, and struggle to keep it down to modest levels.

@Debsie I too have a difficult time with sugar/carbs. Last year I eliminated all the white bad stuff and when the winter holidays came it was disastrous. Know this, sugar and wheat and alcohol might look different but once in the body they are the same. The trick to getting off of them is to understand how they spike your blood sugar. They are a quick fix that instantly raises your blood sugar=contentment. But only for a short time and then your body wants more. It really is just like a drug in that it helps for a short time and then leaves you wanting more...We have all been raised on the stuff so it is very hard to retrain the brain to be happy with something else.
The second point I would like to make is that we never lose our fat cells, they only shrink. They are little monsters that just lay in wait to be fed any bit of glucose you give them.
Most helpful is the glycemic index which you can google. It rates all types of foods. It can help to prevent blood sugar spikes.

Debsie I have similar problem. It was very hard to give up smoking many years ago, but the difference was that I sustained it, whereas I have put all my lost weight back on. I cannot get through a fast without sugar free sweets. I think you can still lose weight and feed the addiction in moderation but I think in the long run it makes maintenance harder.

I gave up smoking and have become very controlled re. consumption of alcohol but I cannot live in a world without sugar!!! I would be interested to hear how u get on and if you have any tips!

I'd count myself as a reformed (haha) carboholic but the thing that has helped me reduce carbs without too much misery is eating more fat, as rawkaren said - it really has (for me) killed my appetite, whereas the more carbs I eat, the more I want. That's a new thing for me because I always used to eat low fat this and that, believing it was 'better' for me. The thing that stops me having binges on carbs now is knowing that if I do I will PILE weight on because of the water retention it causes and I feel like I've worked hard to lose this weight and I'm not going to throw it all away for cake I also reduced the carbs gradually because the thought of going cold turkey seemed a bit like hard work (and I could never do Atkins).

What helps keep me on the straight and narrow (sugar/carb/junk free) is thinking about the food industry and all it's cunning ways of getting consumers addicted to 'junk'. The way they manipulate us by making sure that the ratio of fat and sugar in a doughnut is just right to make us want another.... and another.... for example! When I think about this and look into it I feel angry and tricked and even if it's just to be stubborn (just cos I am) I'll do everything not to be sucked into the food industry's big cons! It's disgusting really, criminal! Getting on my high horse now so going before I get too ranty still, that'll keep me away from temptation for today

Well said @chichi13