Well, the first week of the “no sugar” challenge is officially underway, and let me tell you, I FEEL SO GOOD. View the YouTube video here: Week 1 + No Sugar Challenge

I do not want to sugar coat anything (see what I did there?) and tell you everything is all fine and dandy. It’s not. The truth is, this is SO HARD. Dropping sugar from your diet means that everything you eat is either (1) produce or (2) protein. Yes, you can opt-in with “sugar-free” items, but I do not go for those. Why? Because they usually contain aspartame. You can read more about the dangers of aspartame here.

So, yes, for one week, I survived a fruit, vegetable, protein (eggs, beef, fish), and nuts diet. It was hard, but the way I felt every single day was worth ditching the “white stuff.” The hardest part was on Day 3, which is when the body truly feels that it is lacking all of those processed sugars. My body felt like it was addicted to something on this day, it wanted everything that came in a package, especially Skittles.

However, after I got through Day 3, I loved it so much, that I knew this would be a permanent lifestyle change.

Here are the best things I’ve experienced on this “no sugar” challenge:

1. Less Brain Fog
   If you know me, or if you don’t know me, you know that I have two small toddlers, who also keep us up all night, every night. Also, being a full time working mom, with a husband who travels a lot, doesn’t leave me a lot of room for self-care. This usually results in excessive brain fog. After I started incorporating healthier foods, I could focus more easily, and also think straight! It was a miracle!
2. Less Joint Pain
   Oh, the joys of joint pain. My knees, my shoulders, my back, everything started to hurt more after I started having babies. But, after I cut out sugar, all of my joints felt less inflamed and more juiced up. It’s almost like having WD-40 sprayed all over those bones and tendons. I can play with my kids without things hurting, and I can kick butt in my workouts without feeling it too much the next day.
3. More Energy
   Imagine your body feeling 20 pounds lighter instantly because all of those little cells have the nutrients they need to function at their best. Imagine your digestive track not having to work as hard digesting those pre-packaged foods. You feel on top of the world!
4. Meal Prepping Doesn’t Suck
   Yes. Don’t believe all of those drama queens that say “meal prepping is so hard, it’s so messy.” No, it’s not. It actually makes life easier, and your wallet loves you for it. If I am a full-time working mom, with two toddlers and a hubby who travels, take my word for it that it REALLY MAKES LIFE EASY. Say it with me… “1. Make your meal plan, 2. Grocery shop, 3. Prep said groceries, 4. Enjoy NOT having to wonder what you’re going to cook every day!”

If anything, I hope this little snippet gives you some hope that you CAN eat healthy, that you CAN feel better, and that you CAN start feeding your body LIVING foods, not that crap that comes out of a factory (… organic or not, a machine still created it. GROSS).

Stay tuned for Week 2!