Health: How Dropping the Sugar is Helping Me Drop the Fat

Health: How Dropping the Sugar is Helping Me Drop the Fat

Dump the sugar, dump the fat.

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Author : Christelyn Karazin

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I’ve been promising this post for a few weeks, but before I did some big ruh-ruh rave, I wanted to make sure that what I thought was happening was indeed happening. Guys, I dropped my sugar intake to under 20 grams, and I swear it’s a miracle.

–I haven’t lost weight, but I’ve lost fat.

BB&W Girl

Yes; you read that right.

–I no longer have knee and back pain (high sugar intake has been attributed to inflammation in the body, even the joints)

–I no longer need medication for panic attacks.

–I no longer need sleep medication. Three mg’s of melatonin and me and the Sand Man hook up all night long.

–I’ve lost an 1.5 inches off of my thick waist.

–My thighs are toned, no longer flabby.

toned thighs

The cottage cheese has high-tailed it out...

–My arms no longer look like I’m a relative of Chip, the flying squirrel.

Here’s me in January, right after the holidays.

My waist and butt two months ago

As of now, I have a 30-inch waist. My goal is 28 inches, and THEN I’ll be in my bikini body and will do the BIG reveal. I know that some of you might be saying, “Chris, what the cuss is wrong with you? You’re not fat!” I know I’m not fat. But this year I made a promise to myself that I would work to achieve MY PERSONAL BEST. I want to grow my hair to the middle of my back and look like a 25-year-old in a bikini, even after four kids. This year is all about getting to my absolute healthiest.

Losing belly fat is also very personal for me. My mother has always had tons of belly fat for her stature, and she suffers from diabetes and breast cancer. According to Dr. Oz:

Body Type: Big Belly

More than 50% of women have excess trunkal fat known as a big belly. Fat stored here is the most dangerous because it increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. By trimming inches from your waistline, you can reduce your risk of diseases by 50%.

Here’s the key: If you have belly fat, you need to eat certain foods to combat that specific condition. Sugar and simple carbohydrates are not your friend. On the other hand, you can have cheese, butter, olive oil, and all the nuts you can stuff into your cheeks.

The next few posts about my new health habits will come out in a trickle. Ya’ll are busy folks and posts longer than the Dead Sea Scrolls just doesn’t work for you. But in the meantime, here’s too books that help to better understand the effects of belly fat and sugar on the body:

Beat Sugar Addiction Now!”

The Belly Fat Cure

I’m also changing up how I drink my morning shakes. Still using CLICK, but I’ve exchanged the nonfat chocolate milk I use with unsweetened almond milk and a packet of stevia. Tastes just about the same, with only 6 grams of sugar, as opposed to 21+ grams. That was just way too much sugar going into my body all at once.

My next post will cover some of the supplements and natural sugar substitutes I’m using. You’ll be amazed at how go fake sugar has gotten over the years.

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tigerjlv86 217 pts

Love seeing all the folk working on improving their diets. No excuses, just getting it done. Hubby and I bought the Belly Fat Cure book, and we're off. We'd already started eating more natural and organic foods, so now we're focusing on cutting the sugar and carbs...it's crazy how there's sugar in nearly everything. You must pay close attention to labels.

I have to say I'm quite appalled at the price differential to be healthy, though. Hubby and I can afford it, but sheesh...when low carb, high fiber tortillas cost double what the ones are that aren't that good for you, it has to be rough for some people.

Can't wait to get planning/cooking for next week.

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

tigerjlv86 Jess, I was just thinking that today when I bought my tortillas and pitas. There's a huge price difference. However, I was heartened when I saw that Twinkies and Ho-Ho's cost the same, so...

tigerjlv86 217 pts

 Christelyn I was never much on Ho-ho's or twinkies...I never did like a lot of 'sweets' per se, but since manufacturers put sugar in everything now, the bulk of my effort has been concentrated on the carb swaps and cutting down on the stuff overloaded with sugar. I've definitely started to feel better, and even though it hasn't been long, it's as if my body knows if/when there's junk coming in...it reminds me of when I stopped drinking soda.  It's been over ten years now, so just the idea of a soda makes me sick to my stomach.

 

I also didn't forget about the travel review. My dad has been pretty sick since we got back, so I've been tending to him.  Thank goodness he's doing better now. I should be able to write it up this weekend.

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 639 pts

 tigerjlv86  Christelyn One has to be Sherlock Holmes to scope out all the hidden sugar in food nowadays...SMH!

My latest conversation: 108419_3285 « Black Women Deserve Better™

chocolate_girl 14 pts

hi chistelyn, i have a question. what about fruits? i'm working on my weight right now and i know i can stay away from the obvious things - cakes, pies, candy, etc. but i do have a sweet tooth and i love LOVE strawberries, apples, dates, and fruits like these. in order to loose the belly fat, should i cut out these types of fruit or limit my intake of them from my diet as well?

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

chocolate_girl Yes, you do. I love dates too. Especially chopped dates. I like to mix them with a handful of almonds for a quick snack, but I literally only eat maybe three chopped dates with that handful. They have tons of sugar. All the fruits you mentioned up top are high in sugar, even if it's natural. It still has the same effect on the insulin levels, which leads to the belly fat. If I were you, I'd limit consumption of those fruits to one "cheat day" a week.

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 639 pts

Christelyn chocolate_girl I formally began the program yesterday to kick off Lent...Willing to sacrifice most sugar in exchange for results...Just everyone pray for my crankiness when this really sets in ! :D

My latest conversation: 108419_3285 « Black Women Deserve Better™

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

BlackWomenDeserveBetterchocolate_girl Aw, Cher...you'll be alright!

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 639 pts

Christelyn Today I had plain oatmeal w/ fresh blueberries, lunch a turkey sammich (yes, I said sammich) with 2g per slice sugar...Can I hurt somebody now?

My latest conversation: 108419_3285 « Black Women Deserve Better™

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

BlackWomenDeserveBetter LOL you'll thank me when you start losing that belly fat!

chocolate_girl 14 pts

 Christelyn  christelyn..........LIFE IS TOO UNFAIR!!!!!  as much as i dread what you're saying (because i L.O.V.E. sugar) i know it must be true because you look AMAZING!!!  okay, so you are saying one "cheat" day for sugary fruits.  it makes sense and because i want to rock my swimsuit bod one day really soon, i'm gonna work on this 'til i get it right!  thanks chris!!!

oekmama 375 pts

ForestElfQueen I want those pants with those THIGHS!

Darknlovely12 103 pts

When I am out and about running errands and I am wondering what I am going to eat, I go to KFC and I eat the green beans. They are not cooked in butter. It is one of the healthier items on the menu and it is tasty. Ocassionally I will get baked chicken and most recently I throw out the biscuit. I have also cut out the carbohydrates. I would have an almost perfect shape and I hide it well but I have a little pouch when all of my clothes are off. My goal is to get into a bikini this summer so I have cut out the sugar and I am going easy on the carbs including fruit but I try to eat fruit early in the morning. It has been a struggle but it is getting easier day to day. You have to preplan what will substitute whatever you are giving up with something healthy but tasty.

MadamCJCPA 725 pts

Looking good Christelyn!!

My hubby has managed to drop a few inches off of his waist and lose the belly fat also. He stopped drinking pop (the man was a Mtn. Dew fanatic) cold turkey, increased the amount of fruits/veggies he would eat with dinner and throughout the day, and reduced his portion size on all his favorite Italian pasta cuisines. All in all, I must say I'm extremely proud of him because I had been pleading with him to get on board with me in my weight loss efforts from last Spring/Summer before I became pregnant, and he was adamant in his refusal. I guess now that we are starting over again with a baby he realized that he needs to be healthy to keep up with two kids.

ForestElfQueen 2112 pts

This was my sugar (and sleep hygiene) wake-up call book:

Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival

http://www.amazon.com/Lights-Out-Sleep-Sugar-Survival/dp/0671038672

now i need to re-read..once more with feeling. haha

you look awesome C!<3

NATruthstudent 1099 pts

Hmmm... interesting that none of the men hae commented on this yet. First, let me say to Christelyn, you're doing an excellent job from what I can see. Keep it up.

Second, men do have weight problems. Mine is mostly my belly. It's not a BAD problem, but it WAS heading in that direction. I tried a variety of remedies, from diet and exercise to Atkins and South Beach. I found that most programs will take the extra weight off, but once you stop the program, you go right back up. Yeah, yo-yo dieting, just like Oprah. Men do it too. At least the ones who care about their health enough to try to maintain it.

A couple years ago, a friend suggested I try something called the HCG protocol. She told me it was hormone-based, specifically a female hormone associated with pregnancy, so I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it. Yet, in keeping an open mind, I began to do a bit of research.

Being a firm proponent of empirical data, that is, seeing what works as opposed to what the so-called "experts" say, I found a couple discussion groups on the topic. I also found sites that opposed the use of HCG. Of those sites opposed, none of them gaave any hard evidence supporting their opposition. So I concentrated on the discussion groups.

What I found was that most diets do eat up body fat, but they start with the fat that the body requires, that cushion the organs and joints. This is why many dieters loose fat from their bellies and thighs last rather than first; those are the places that are most affected by weight gain in most people.

HCG, on the other hand, first goes after the unhealthy fat buildup that causes other health problems by putting excess pressure on the organs, like the heart and digestive system. As I understand it, it also resets the hypothalamus, a tiny organ in the brain that tells us when we've had enough to eat. All the chemicals and other things in our food, after years of saturation with those substances, turns off that mechanism. So in order to be truly successful, it must be reset.

I decided to give it a try. Oer two years ago, I weighed 186 pounds. I was tired all the time, I craved sweets, and was often hungry all the time. After six weeks, my weight was down to 163 pounds. I felt better. I wasn't tired any more, I didn't crave sweets, and I didn't feel a need to eat constantly. But more than that, two years later, I still maintain my weight in the 160-167 range, without continuing the protocol. I may splurge occasionally and gain a few pounds, but within four daays at most, I'm back down, without taking any extreme measures, just eating normally. And this has been true through my current difficulties that prevent me from exercising.

Just thought I'd throw this out there for anyone who may be looking for a workable alternative to dieting.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HcgDieters/

Lunaluciea 7 pts

Looking great Chris! I too have pretty much cut out simple sugars and processed foods and I feel great! I'm loving the way I feel and, this is the best part, I've lost 17 pounds since the beginning of the year. Thank you for your great advice and great blog!

josie3144 83 pts

4 kids..and you look like your in your 20's damn....I'm not mad at you .....much success....

Shulamit 520 pts

ament Chris. I'm on the same journey...

Toni_M 4713 pts

You look amazing! :D

I like the idea of a low sugar diet, so I think I'll try it for a couple of weeks and see what happens. I saw some great sugar substitution ideas, so I'll try that instead.

I've also decided to step it up with cutting out of unhealthy foods and eating more natural stuff. This is actually exciting. It probably won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

ELLE ROCHELLE 61 pts

You look fab Chris if I need a sweetener I use Organic Agave Nectar by Domino. It's a light low glycemic liquid sweetner made from the Agave plant.

Bellydancer 403 pts

It's funny how quick people were to judge Paula Deen for using real butter when there have been studies that show the real butter is better for you in moderation of course. Her using butter did not cause her diabetes. Most likely a sedentary life, a stressful remarriage with step kids and trying to run 3 businesses helped to contribute. I am diabetic and some of the stuff the doctors tell you does not work for everybody. Most of the carb recommendations for diabetics is too high. I have found that if I load up on veggies, fiber and some protein with just a smigen of carb my sugars stay level. if I eat small amounts throughout the day and maybe a big meal at lunch it's better than 3 big meals. Of course everybody is different and your daily lifestyle plays a part.

Organis food, supplements and exercise can help control obesity just don't tell big pharma this, they need us all on drugs to stay profitable. Curing you was never an option. Notice how all over europe they eat butter, cheese, wine and never seem to have these problems while sticking to their local home grown foods. Our foods have been tampered with so that the nutrients are practically gone.

Christelyn keep up the good work and are you still taking the candida products?

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

Bellydancer Sure am! Sugar cravings are WAY down!

Bellydancer 403 pts

Christelyn There is one misconception about diabetes and that is sugar or sweet foods cause it. So the first thing you do is stop eating cakes, pies, soda etc...but then find yourself loading up on rice, bread and potatoes. These items are carbs and it converts in fuel or sugar if you indulge too much. Basically those foods are just as bad. It has been harder for me to stop eating white rice than any other item. Yep white rice is a real bad habit for me.

I notice you said you drink Zevia it's supposed to be okay for diabetics.

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

Bellydancer Zevia is great, Bellydancer. My favorite flavors are cream soda, black cherry and grapefruit. It's super refreshing and eases my sweet tooth and yen for bubbly stuff.

MadamCJCPA 725 pts

Bellydancer Co-sign on the white rice. It is the monkey that I cannot shake off of my back. I've tried brown rice recipes and whatnot, but my taste buds refuse to like it. I've resigned myself to learning to eat white rice in moderation vs. beating myself up over it.

Shulamit 520 pts

MadamCJCPABellydancer Try Jasmin, Basmati or Arborio rice. They are actually healthier for you then brown rice...So now you can have your cake and eat it too :-)

Toni_M 4713 pts

Bellydancer I always use REAL unsalted butter in recipes when it calls for it. Both because it allows me to control the amount of salt being included (if I want to include it) and because I just don't like the idea of substituting natural products for processed "healthy substitutes".

Bren82 198 pts

Hi Chris: I have also lost weight however now I need to work on trimming my waste. It's very difficult for me to give up on added sugar, and I am not counting fruit as the sugar is natural. What are you drinking? Do you drink a lot of tea, water, etc.? I drink tea, water, sometimes juice sometimes soda.

Ms. Kay 143 pts

Bren82 water (squeezed with lemon) is your best friend. Cut out the soda/pop completely (I suppose you'll have to start gradually, but just go cold turkey - if you can). I do NOT drink juice (unless I blend fruits up) and I do NOT drink pop/soda (I haven't drank juice/pop/soda in over 10 yrs- because it hurt my stomach when I do)....so let water become your bestfriend. For some water has no taste, put some lemon in it and you'll be fine.....

Christelyn 3167 pts moderator

Bren82 I drink Zevia--it's like soda, but NOT soda. It has zero calories and sugar, and tastes awesome. I also drink unsweetened almond milk and lots of loose-leaf teas.

Shulamit 520 pts

Christelyn Bren82 I make homemade tea wth my green tea. I put the tea bag in a water bottle filled with water, add honey and some fresh cut peaches, pomegranate seeds or berries. Shake and stick it in the refrigerator and let it marinate for 2 hours. Its FANTASTIC

MySmile 865 pts

You look great! I'm 22 and my body isn't nearly that nice! I've been putting in some time at the gym though...You (and Dr. Oz) are so right about the belly fat. That's where all my weight goes and I don't even eat much sugar! Unfortunately I have the dreaded apple shape and diabetes runs in my family. Anyways, can't wait to see you reach your goal.

NATruthstudent 1099 pts

MySmile

Check this out, you might find it useful:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Heres-How-You-Control-Your-Blood-Sugar-With-a-Diabetes-Natural-Remedy&id=113263

blessedgal 41 pts

I want the jersey and the yoga pant soooo bad!!!!!!!!!*pants and drools*

Erm, yes, now that it is Lent it is perfect time for me to begin abolishing sugar......need all the help I can get to lose weight!

dasdbobb 301 pts

I have only one thing to say, make sure you go to BBB (Bureau of Beautiful Bodies and register that thing as a deadly weapon! Keep up the good work!