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My 30 Day (and Counting) Sugar Detox Results

My 30 Day Sugar Detox Results | Weight Loss Tips from @cydconverse

Weight loss. This is a topic I haven’t talked a lot about in the past, but I’m going to try really hard to be more open and honest about. I want to start sharing both the triumphs and the trials in hopes those of us who are in the same boat with wanting to improve our overall health can find support from each other. Sometimes it feels so isolating to be someone who struggles with weight issues when the blogging community seems to be full of really thin, gorgeous women and there are times I feel like I’ve really let it hold me back from going after some of my professional goals. (Like that YouTube channel I have been wanting to start for like three years? Ugh. I can’t even imagine getting in front of a camera!) So today is step one in coming out of the closet, if you will, and trying to pull back the curtain to say hey! I’m here. I’m not a size 2. Or a size 6. Or a size 10. I have the same self doubts and struggles that you do, and I’m hoping that through this transparency we can all help each other succeed at moving forward past the insecurities to a place where we feel healthier and more at peace. That’s my intention anyway. I’ll share more about the full extent of my weight loss struggles at another time (including the time I lost over 100 pounds but managed to slowly let a ton of it creep back on), but for today I just wanted to kick things off by talking about what I’ve been doing lately and how it is working for me. Because so many of you expressed interest in hearing more about my journey I thought I would share a quick update, specifically sharing about my 30 day (and counting) sugar detox results! Moving forward I’m thinking I’ll check in maybe once a month or so to share my progress, and probably more frequently over on Instagram if you want to follow along there.

My 30 Day Sugar Detox Results | Weight Loss Tips from @cydconverse

For starters, let me share that I am serious believer in the power of food and nutrition to solve most, if not all, of a body’s woes. I believe this to be true when it comes to regulating weight as well. My major food weakness? Sugar. Oh, sweet heavenly sugar. Also, it turns out, sugar is basically poison for your body. And yes, sadly, that includes artificial sugars and sweeteners, too. Diet soda? It’s one of the worst things for you. My Diet Pepsi loving soul hates this fact, but it’s the truth. In January, I made the decision that as of February 1st I was going to give up all sugar and everything with added sugar. (You know, like ketchup and store bought salad dressings. All full of sugar!) I am also avoiding all artificial or natural sweeteners, including things like honey and maple syrup right now until I feel like I can use them only sparingly. I also decided to cut back on dairy and any processed wheat such as bread, pasta, etc. because my body tends to be really sensitive to those foods. I’m not saying I’ll never eat a cupcake again, because that’s just not going to happen. But on a day to day basis I am eating a diet that is essentially 100% compromised of veggies, fruits, whole grains such as quinoa, beans, nuts, seeds and eggs. I may have a bit of cream (real cream, not creamer) in my coffee. I occasionally pick up olives stuffed with blue cheese. Otherwise, I’ve cut out most all dairy, too. I have not touched bread or pasta or crackers or cookies or anything of the like for 30 days and counting. And you know what? Save for a few days of mild sugar withdrawal headaches (akin to caffeine withdrawal headaches), I feel pretty amazing!

My 30 Day Sugar Detox Results | Weight Loss Tips from @cydconverse

As of today, I am down 11 pounds since February 1. This is in addition to the 22 pounds of baby weight (I only gained about 20 during my pregnancy) I had already lost, meaning in total I am down 33 pounds since my c-section in November. Sometimes I’m frustrated because it’s not going quicker, if I’m honest. I’ve completely overhauled how I eat and I was really hoping I’d see more like 13 – 15 pounds the first month. (Keep in mind, I have a not insignificant amount of weight left to lose.) But you know what? 11 pounds is kind of awesome, too, and I’ll take it! Add in the fact that my energy level really seems to be up (which is tricky in and of itself with a three month old in the mix), and I would have to say, I’m a believer. Additionally, I’ve lost a little over an inch around my waist and a little over an inch around my hips, too, which definitely seems like a good starting point considering I have a lot of swelling from my c-section still.

My 30 Day Sugar Detox Results | Weight Loss Tips from @cydconverse

I think it’s important to note that I am not following any specific plan or “diet” at this point in time. I am simply trying to eat real, whole foods. I have not counted a single calorie or measured a single serving. Also, to date I have not been cleared to exercise so I have not been working out either. I eat things like baked sweet potatoes with spinach and black beans and fresh pico de gallo. Or salads loaded with veggies, greens, a bit of hummus and simple homemade vinaigrettes. I make big batches of grains (usually quinoa and sometimes barley or brown rice) a couple of times a week and then quickly make little hodge podge meals on the go, usually with a baby in one arm. (I’ve already shared my go-to lunch these days!) If you want to consider something like this yourself, I suggest checking out Hello Glow, a wellness site that I really love. (All of the photos in this post are from Hello Glow, to give you a little taste of the goodness that Stephanie has going on!) There are loads of great recipes and tips that will really help you get started with overhauling your diet, but it manages to feel pretty approachable and not overly crunchy. (I mean I’m down with some crunch clearly, but I don’t like to get too carried away with myself.) Also, watch the documentary Fed Up and Google search “sugar detox” and you’ll start to find loads of information.

My 30 Day Sugar Detox Results | Weight Loss Tips from @cydconverse

So, lay it on me! Any tips or recipes for me? How about questions for me? Is anyone else trying to lose a whole crapload of ell bees this year? I am committed to being as open and honest with you about this process as I can. Eventually that will even mean sharing really real before numbers and photos, but I’m just not there yet. Give me a couple more months and hopefully I’ll have some good progress photos! In the meantime I’m going to be over here experimenting with the health benefits of turmeric and matcha, because both seem to be everywhere these days and apparently I can’t resist exploring the hype for myself. Thanks for your support, friends! You’re all amazing.post-line-before-credits

[Photos from Hello Glow.]

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Tine

Saturday 5th of March 2016

Congratulations on being so brave sharing your story! I'm glad to see you're getting the support you needed, reading your replies in the comments section.

I've been part of the local fashion bloggers community for some time and I so understand the strain of trying to match up to other bloggers' aura of perfection. Even though you know it's not the entire truth, it can make you feel insecure.

Not only have you taken the first steps to a healthier lifestyle which makes you feel better (so great you're not rushing things!), thanks to your honesty you're an inspiration to all your readers.

Cyd Converse

Sunday 6th of March 2016

Oh, Tine, thank you so much! I really appreciate your support and your perspective. I do believe we put so much pressure on ourselves to reach some standard, I am certainly guilty of doing so. This time around, I am trying hard to focus on health first and let the other things hopefully follow. If I can inspire anyone else along the way, I will be humbled beyond belief. xoxoxo

Lindsay

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

Wow, your response truly is helpful! I think recapping your healthy lunches / dinners would be fantastic! I click on your blog every day to see what's new, that would be a cool thing to add to the mix along with these healthy updates from you! Thanks for opening up, it's encouraging for the rest of us struggling out there, too!

Lindsay

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

Gosh, Cyd - I need to hear this so much. I lost a bunch of weight a few years ago a really unhealthy way and it's all come back (and then some). I know I need to get it together and knock these pounds off but sugar is my demon too! I just can't imagine going a whole month without it! I mean, I sneak a piece of chocolate after every meal! Did you cut out alcohol as well? That's a whole other battle I'm dealing with :/

Cyd Converse

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

Oh, Lindsay, I am so glad I ended up writing this post. I was kind of worried about it at first, but I know this is a struggle for so many more of us than we'd ever want to let on. I promise you, you could absolutely ditch the sugar. I'd say days 3 - 5 were the toughest (mainly do to mild withdrawal headaches in the afternoons), but it has been easier than I imagined. And I was a Greek yogurt (the yummy fruit kind loaded with sugar) every morning, sugar in my coffee, dessert every night kind of girl for a loooong time. I've always said, I didn't get fat on fries or fast food, I got fat on baked goods. Give me all the muffins and cookies! Regarding alcohol, I have not completely cut it out. I'm drinking less already because having just spent the last year pregnant and having a newborn around, that helped kick that habit right there, but I've definitely still had some drinks. Hell, one night we went out for dinner and ended up home in a cab after far too many glasses of wine about a week into the 30 days! I just made sure I did not eat anything "illegal" while I was tipsy. Picture me, 11:30 at night, drunk for the first time in a long time, eating pistachios and almonds like a wild beast. lol I've had a glass of wine here or there, too, so I think you can definitely still have drinks here and there and still see results. I've just been sticking to red wine largely (which is my favorite anyway) or vodka soda with loads of limes and strawberries muddled in my glass. Would it be helpful if I started photographing my lunches or dinners or things for a few days or a week and then did a recap? Let me know! Encouraging you will help keep me on track, too! In the meantime, I believe in you. From my heart to yours, you can do this! XOXOXO

Shel

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

You. Are. Amazing. THANK YOU for sharing your journey. I know I need to get off the crazy sugar train. Hearing your story and how you've handled it plus all your stunningly gorgeous photos makes me believe I could do it too. Thank you!

Cyd Converse

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

THANK YOU, Shel! I can't tell you what your support means. And, yes! You can do it. I have zero doubt. Once it's out of your system it's so much easier to go without it and when in doubt - dried fruit (the kind with no added sugar of course lol) goes a long way to kick a sugar craving! I'm still eating fruit daily and not even restricting what kinds of fruit I allow myself to have. The dried pineapple at Trader Joe's tastes just like dessert to me these days! Thank you again! xo

Sara A

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

You are amazing! Like having a new baby isn't enough! You are an inspiration. I have been wanting to cut out sugar and reading your post makes me more motivated! Thank you for sharing Cyd.

Cyd Converse

Thursday 3rd of March 2016

Thank you, Sara! That means so much to me. I'm trying so hard to make big, huge positive changes...maybe in part the baby inspires that when you're thinking about how you want to be healthy for her and how you want to raise her so she doesn't struggle in the same way. It all feels pretty connected to me right now! xoxoxo

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