It Works!
Written: Jan 31 '02 (Updated Feb 06 '02)
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Pros: Basic Healthy Eating Lifestyle, it actually works.
Cons: Can be intimidating, a lot of info to absorb.
The Bottom Line: Gives a good explanation of they way your body reacts to food. Good education about healthy eating. It worked for me. Try it for at least a month!
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| TonyG5003's Full Review: Sugar Busters! |
While reading this, please keep in mind that this is not a review of the book. (That is elsewhere.) Rather this is a review of the diet plan, and how it worked for me.
This is an update of my previous review back in December of 2000. My updated information is at the end.
Okay, I know what you're thinking; "a man, reviewing a diet plan?" Well, let me tell you! I have tried many different diet plans, and absolutely nothing has worked for me, with the exception of Sugar Busters!
First for the facts. I am a 29 year old male, standing right at six feet tall. Eighteen months ago, I weighed 210. Today, I weigh between 175 and 180. I exercise only moderately (because of a recurring back problem) and have enjoyed many of the same foods I had been eating before trying the Sugar Busters "diet."
Sugar Busters! is exactly what is sounds like. The goal is to eat as little sugar as possible, to allow your body to get rid of excess fat. The process is quite simple; by eating little or no sugar you decrease the glycemic and insulin levels in your body. At the same time, by eating a reasonable amount of protein (not loads of it like some diets), you increase your glucogen levels, which send the body a message to dispose of fat. Conversely, when you eat sugar, the pancreas lets out an enormous amount of insulin, which tells your body to store fat. (The book states a horrifying comparison; before refined sugar was eaten by people, the pancreas secreted only as much insulin in a lifetime, as the average American does in ONE DAY! No wonder we are becoming the "Diabetic Society.")
Haven't you ever wondered why you eat so much "low fat" foods, but you still maintain, if even gain weight, no matter how much you labor away on that treadmill? Those Baked Lays are great, but have you noticed just how much sugar is crammed into a serving? While on Sugar Busters!, I discovered within the first week that cutting out the sugar in my diet, was the key to my success.
When I first read the book, I was shocked to discover that baked potatoes, white rice, and enriched pastas were almost evil. Being a starch, a potato contains as much insulin boosting sugar as a half a cup of pure refined granular sugar! About the same goes for enriched pastas and white rice. In general, any carbohydrate that has been "refined" or "enriched" is a no no. There are many examples of good vs. bad food choices in the book. It isn't that complicated.
During my first week on the diet, I suffered from repeated and severe headaches. The book warned me about this. Also, I craved sugar like a mad man! The book also mentioned this fact. So basically, my body was completely addicted to sugar, I felt sick. However, after about two weeks, I no longer craved sugar. I used Equal in my coffee (gotta have it!), and have also used Equal in many desserts. They taste almost the same.
Within a week, the a few pounds started dropping off. On my first Sugar Busters! go round, I lost five pounds in the first week. Granted, a lot of that may have been water, but spongy and fatty areas feel the same when trying to get those pants on. In a month, I had lost 10 pounds. On my second, and more recent experience with the diet, I went from 200, to 178 in only ten weeks! That was back in September of 2000, and I have kept every ounce of fat off. I even eat out, and have some sinful desserts about once every two weeks.
If you try to follow this "diet," (more like a way of life) you must adhere as strictly as possible, with the exception of the occasional treat. (As long as you don't consume a lot of fat with sugar, you should be okay.)In the beginning, I thought this would be impossible. When looking at labels on food items at the store, I discovered that virtually everything made (processed foods) today contained sugar. After a week or so, I got on track.
Most of my adult life, I have been unhappy with my body. Granted, this has been caused by the food I shoved in my mouth. I have never been unable to buy the clothes I wanted, and relegated myself to jeans and t-shirts. But, last week I went out and bought dressier clothes. I look good, and feel comfortable. Most important, I feel confident again and have regained some freedom. No more hiding behind a coat. No more worrying about what to wear for weddings and funerals!
Above all, I am healthier. I feel good and I sleep better than I have in years. I recommend this program to anyone, fat or not. It has saved my self-esteem.
UPDATE!
I am happy to report that after 18 months on this “Diet,” I have not gained anything back of my previous 210 pounds. I fluctuate (some depending on water retention I’m sure) between 172 – 180. However, I occasionally get out of the habit of watching what I eat all the time, and slip into a pattern of eating the starchy foods I love and then creeping back up to 180; I then follow that by limiting my starchy foods. It works every time; I always end up back down between 172 and 175 within a week or two. Because I do not eat extremely fatty foods, this proves to me that eating processed sugar and starchy foods definitely corresponds to my body storing what little fat I do eat.
Another benefit that I experienced was my cholesterol level. During a life insurance exam, I learned that my cholesterol was a whopping 285! Six months later, I was 170. Although I was concerned about my cholesterol, I did not intentionally focus on lowering it. It simply happened on it's own.
I know everyone’s body isn’t the same. But, I simply don’t believe that the individuals that have not met with any amount of success with this program really tried it and stuck to it, religiously. Those first two weeks, 18 months ago were very frustrating; not much happened. But, within four weeks, I lost 10 pounds. I lost weight so quickly, I literally had nothing to wear! My shirts felt like drapes, and my jeans were falling off me. I also had a lot of energy, which is the opposite of what I had expected. My metabolism skyrocketed; I was sweating constantly! (This calmed down after a couple of months.)
This “Diet” requires patience at first, but it also requires you to do your homework, in regards to the actual make up of the food you put in your mouth. Our country is used to food being convenient and enjoyable. Well, when I figured out that food shouldn’t be either convenient or enjoyed (too much), I really took a long look at all the convenient and tasty processed foods and chemicals that I have put in my body for years. It was quite alarming. The book is correct; almost everything has sugar in some form.
Sugar Busters worked, and continues to work for me. I am healthier than I have been in a decade.
Recommended:
Yes
Food Variety Restrictions A wide variety of allowed foods
Restrictiveness of Portions Satisfying
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Epinions.com ID:
TonyG5003
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Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 3 members
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