When I read a report from distinguished scientific sources which explained some of the 'damaging effects' of sugar I took notice, and then did something about it....I decided to try eliminating it from everything I consume...with a few exceptions, which I will explain.

When I read that 'sugar' could and does feed some cancers, I thought maybe thats possible...when I read that sugar interfered with your bodies ability to 'receive' certain vitamins, minerals, and other important immune response support....I thought...I wonder if THAT could be true?

You see I have always taken many things to supplement my normal diet to maintain my health system and it has worked pretty well for me....they say I am in the upper 1-2% for people my age for my health, lung capacity, and endurance....but did that mean I never got sick?

It has been one thing that has frustrated me from time to time, those two or three days where you just get wiped out physically from a bad cold or flu or something. What I did was pull out all the stops and load up on as many 'antioxidants' and natural virus killers I could; it seemed to help the symptoms from getting any worse and probably shortened the duration of the sickness but at the same time I am wondering....why did I get sick in the first place?

So it had been news to me that sugar could 'feed' cancer in the body and that news alone scary enough...but when I thought there might be a chance 'sugar' could interfere with my bodie's ability to absorb supplements and vitamins, I thought that this was another very good reason to stop using sugar...or at least drastically reduce my consumption of it.

Now, just so that you know, I used refined sugar in my coffee every day and I used a lot of it. I like my coffee very strong and then I add sugar...its more like a 'syrup' I drink...I am kidding but people who have 2 cans of 'pop' per day that is the equivalent of 22-26 teaspoons of sugar added to their diet. What I have been told by everyone who drinks 'pop' is that they never drink that much pop...it is not like I care...it is more that when people used to see me put 2-3 teaspoons of sugar in my coffee they look at me with these unbelieving and quizzical eyes and then ask me either 'why I use so much sugar in my coffee?' or 'how can you not be overweight?'

The point I am making here is that I am NOT just talking about using a few teaspoons of sugar in your coffee...I am talking about absolutely everything you consume on a daily basis. This of course includes all refined sugar in such obvious places as what we eat and drink, but also the more 'hidden' places where the sugar is labeled as 'High fructose corn syrup' as an ingredient in whatever you eat or drink.

I can assure you if you go out to your kitchen or cupboard right now you could probably find 20 to 30 things that you have or consume on a daily basis that have 'high fructose corn syrup' added to the ingredients. I applaud you if you don't but until you become aware of America's favorite sweetener it will continue to make you put on pounds and mess with your health.

You see, I did go out to my kitchen and cupboard and refrigerator....and I was shocked! I could no longer eat my yogurt because it had high fructose corn syrup, (not to mention the artificial colorings and flavors) the bread I was using had high fructose corn syrup, the fruit snacks with Vitamin C I liked to 'snack' on had high fructose corn syrup, every box of cereal that we had(about six) had high fructose corn syrup. Nearly everything but the potatoes had high fructose corn syrup in them!

I decided then that the only thing I could do was go to the grocery store and stock up on fresh fruit, get a natural herb 'stevia' to sweeten my coffee, and I was going to be spending extra money buying fresh produce every 2-3 days as well as the extra expense of the stevia but our budget was just going to have to adjust. (absolutely no artificial sweeteners....they are worse than sugar!)

That is what I did...I have eaten bananas, grapes-red or green, apples, pears, other fruits. I have added unsalted almonds and unsalted peanuts as snacks, and the Stevia for my coffee has been 'okay'...not exactly what I was used to but I am getting used to it after 3 months. The bottom line is that I have done pretty good at reducing this kind of sugar from my diet...I never was much of a 'sweet' eater although I could enjoy a good candy bar every now and then...I haven't consumed cookies, cakes, any candy, or anything like that. I think I have had a piece of 'pie' in three months but let me tell you the good news.

The good news is that even though I was certainly not over-weight...I did have some stomach fat which I had started to address through consistent exercise. It wasn't exactly dropping off with the exercise. However, in the first week of 'not using sugar' I honestly could almost see my midsection losing fat on a daily basis. I was astounded! I mean, I didn't have that much I could hold between my thumb and first finger when I grabbed the loose part just above the waistline...maybe an inch....it now has dropped to nearly just skin.

The second great thing that has happened to me is that in the midst of everyone else around me having colds or flu's or something....which I could expect to get some residual from within a week or two like I normally have in the past...I have not been 'sick' in the least. In fact I have recovered from some immune compromising injuries where I was vulnerable to infection and still I have recovered quickly and without problem.

I would encourage you to 'give up' sugar and its high fructose corn syrup sister. It will only lead you to enjoy life more with better health. I can't really speak about the 'losing weight' aspect because I wasn't overweight when I quit using sugar....however one of the pharmacists who did the research said one thing about losing weight and that was, " if you want to lose weight seek to control just one thing....the sugar that goes into your body."

The last thing I would say is that if you do give up sugar it will take your body about two to three weeks to get back to what might be called your ' normal energy' level...it took me about the full three weeks but when my energy did come back I found I slept less, did not fatigue as easily and also am not so prone to fall asleep when I don't want to.

One last thing that I promised I would explain when it came to sugar exceptions that I currently enjoy....that would be the adult refreshment category that I reserve to relax with at night....and as far as the 'sugar' amount in an average beer...it seems to be just the right amount!