On Boxing Day I started my fructose free journey. There have been a couple of slip ups on the way, but none so severe that I feel as though I have gone backwards.
The positives I have noticed in 3 weeks are:
Almost 2kgs gone, feeling lighter within my body - I'm not getting that heavy eaten too much feeling anymore, better training performance (running and bootcamp seem easier), enjoying savoury foods much more and can really taste the flavours of things.
The negatives:
Drinking more coke zero since giving up fructose. It's my go to when I want to eat something sweet, difficult to eat out for anything other than breakfast.
The nuetrals:
Drinking a lot of soda water (not sure if this is good or bad?), still quite sleepy during the day (but need to give fructose free more time to see if it makes a big difference there), reasonably easy detox (didn't have a lot of headaches or other symptoms) - keep wondering if the worst is still to come?
Overall:
I still walk past the lollies and chocolates and ice cream at work (can't escape it!) and think that would be nice to eat and sometimes feel a little sad about it. Wonder if I can really maintain a fructose free life... but then remind myself how much better I feel by not eating those things. This time I really do understand what that kinds of food does to me, which is what is keeping me going strong.
Biggest lesson learned so far:
Mindset is critical for this to work. It's not about depravation, it's about healing an addiction. It's being able to recognise that just because you always have (eaten a bag of lollies every day for the past 4-5 years), doesn't mean you should continue to do so.
Biggest success so far:
Trying a new chocolate product and being able to stop at one little square. Then 3 minutes later getting a killer headache and sore tummy. Previously I would have devoured the entire block and felt fine (or at least thought I felt ok until a massive sugar crash 2-3 hours later).
I'm keeping watch of myself this week as my biggest supporter is away and week 4 has traditionally been my toughest time to stay focussed on eating well with previous attempts.
S.
