If I could only change one thing right now, it would be this:
Sugar.
Not because I think sugar is evil. Not because I believe you can never enjoy dessert again. And not because I think eliminating sugar will magically fix all of my problems.
I’m doing this because I know myself.
And I know what happens when sugar slowly creeps back into my life.
I’ve struggled with sugar for as long as I can remember. I’ve always had a sweet tooth. I can justify “just one treat” or “I’ll start over on Monday” better than anyone. And before I know it, I’m grabbing a little something sweet after lunch, then after dinner, then a snack in the middle of the afternoon because I need an energy boost.
The thing about sugar is that for me, it never stays occasional.
It becomes a habit.
And lately? I’ve fallen off the wagon.
Not dramatically. I haven’t been eating cake for breakfast or anything. But I’ve gotten comfortable again. Comfortable with the little daily treats, the mindless snacking, the “I deserve this” mentality.
I don’t feel terrible.
But I don’t feel amazing either.
I feel more tired than I should. More inflamed than I want to be. More sluggish. More bloated. My cravings are louder. My motivation feels lower. And my clothes don’t fit quite the way I’d like them to.
At 44, I’ve realized something important:
I don’t need another complicated plan.
I need to go back to what I know works.
And I know that when I cut out added sugar, I feel better.
I’ve done it before.
I’ve had periods of my life where I removed sugar and my cravings disappeared, my energy improved, my bloating went down, and I felt more in control around food. I wasn’t obsessing over my next treat. I wasn’t riding the roller coaster of craving, eating sugar, crashing, and wanting more.
I simply felt better.
So before I try to overhaul my entire life, fix all my habits, and become a completely different person overnight, I’m starting with one thing.
Thirty days.
No added sugar.
Why Sugar Is My Step One
I think so many of us in midlife are overwhelmed.
We’re told to balance hormones, lower cortisol, lift weights, drink more water, eat more protein, sleep eight hours, get our steps in, manage stress, and somehow still juggle jobs, marriages, kids, aging parents, and everything else life throws at us.
It’s a lot.
And honestly, I don’t think most of us fail because we don’t know what to do. I think we fail because we’re trying to change everything at once.
I’ve done it myself. I make a huge list, get motivated, try to overhaul my entire life in one week, and then burn out.
This time, I’m doing things differently.
I’m still working on building healthier habits. I’m still paying attention to my water intake, movement, sleep, mindset, and all the other things that help me feel my best.
But I’m giving myself a clear starting point.
For me, that starting point is sugar.
Because when my sugar habits are under control, everything else becomes easier. I have more energy, fewer cravings, better discipline, and I feel more motivated to keep showing up for the other healthy habits I’m trying to build.
This 30-day challenge isn’t about fixing everything overnight.
It’s about creating momentum.
And sometimes one simple change can be the domino that helps everything else start falling into place.
My 30-Day No Sugar Challenge Rules
For the next 30 days, here’s what I’m doing:
I’m avoiding:
- Candy
- Cookies and desserts
- Ice cream
- Soda
- Sweet coffee drinks
- Pastries and baked treats
- Mindless sugary snacks
- Added sugars whenever possible
I’m still allowing:
- Fruit
- Plain dairy
- Naturally occurring sugars in whole foods
This isn’t about perfection.
This isn’t punishment.
This isn’t a crash diet.
This is simply a reset.
I want to remember what my body feels like when it’s not constantly asking for something sweet.
What I’m Hoping Changes
I’m hoping for:
- More energy
- Less bloating
- Fewer cravings
- Better focus
- More control around food
- Better skin
- Weight loss
- Feeling more like myself again
But honestly?
More than anything, I’m hoping to prove something to myself.
That I can still do hard things.
That I can recommit when I’ve drifted.
That falling off the wagon doesn’t mean failure.
It simply means it’s time to start again.
Because renewal isn’t about getting everything right the first time.
Renewal is deciding that today can be another Day One.
And this is mine.
Want to Join Me?
If you’ve been feeling tired, inflamed, stuck, or simply like you’ve gotten away from the habits that once made you feel your best, maybe your first step doesn’t need to be complicated either.
Maybe it just needs to be one thing.
For me, it’s a 30-day break from added sugar.
And I’m starting today.
Get my free 30-Day Sugar Free Tracker and join me!
And if you’re ready to go beyond sugar and start rebuilding your habits one day at a time, my 90-Day Renewal Journal was created for exactly that—to help you track your health, mindset, movement, sleep, and the small daily choices that create lasting change.
