Hey Folks! We're excited to introduce Jennie S., a 21DSD alum. Jennie's testimonial is part of a series featuring participants who rocked their 21DSDs! Enjoy! – Diane and Team
Quick-fire facts
Level completed: My husband and I did it like a countdown each week from “harder” to “easier” : Level 3, Level 2, then Level 1. We had quick reference sheets on the fridge to keep us on program each week.
Favorite thing about the program: Discovering that probably the majority of my mood swings and energy lags are due to dips and crashes in sugar levels. It was INCREDIBLE how much more emotionally level I felt and how my energy was consistent all day–no fatigue or hyper bouts. I did it to change my weight for the better, but detoxing changed so much more than that.
Favorite 21DSD recipe: Vanilla Bean N'oatmeal! So good with some chopped walnuts!
Awesome benefits I experienced:
- Sugar & carb cravings diminished or eliminated
- Change in palate/tastes
- Improved energy levels
- Improved sleep quality
- Improved mood and general outlook on life
- Improved skin health
- Weight loss (10lbs!)
Non-scale victories:
Breaking a TON of bad habits in one fell swoop. Sugar addiction was the root of a big constellation of problems (overeating, drinking too much wine/beer/sugary coffee, staying up too late, being cranky, feeling tired all the time, feeling unable to grasp how to make productive lasting changes, etc.). Making the decision to cut SUGAR in all its forms was easier than I thought; easier than trying to “use moderation” or “just cut back.” In a weird way, once that decision is made, the work is half over. It's no longer a constant battle with a million circumstances to cheat. It's a wholesale, all-encompassing, 21-day-long “NO.” And the way I felt during the detox was telling enough about how much sugar ruled my mood, life, decisions, sleep patterns, behavior, etc.
In my own words
My husband and I were both eating a lot of processed/restaurant food, having wine at the end of the day (often with cheese and crackers and other snacks) and generally making poor choices. We'd try to “be good” for a while but after a frustrating day, one of us would crack and want something fried/salty/sweet. After seeing my parents-in-law successfully quit sugar and maintain their weight loss and healthy habits for several months, I decided at Thanksgiving Dinner that the FOLLOWING MONDAY we would take the plunge. (Yeah, I know. WORST TIME EVER to start a diet.) But my hubby was in for it and I was thinking, well, it's either lose some weight now or wait 'til New Years and feel even worse.
During the detox I:
- went to weekly trivia night at our local brewery. I drank seltzer and ate almonds and green apple slices.
- went to a holiday party dinner and ate raw and roasted vegetables and crackerless cheese.
- traded wine as a nightly beverage for herbal tea.
Both my husband and I learned so much about how omnipresent sugar is (ESPECIALLY during the time we were avoiding it) and it made us so much more aware of how bad it made us feel. It was an INCREDIBLE early Christmas gift for the both of us!