Lucy: 'This is not a diet, but a fundamental change in my perception of sugar.'

My 5-week challenge is coming to an end….or is it?

The #5WeeksSugarFree challenge is coming to an end. I have to say, even though at first I suffered from bad headaches, it has been pretty easy to get into a rhythm of eating this way.

Being a busy mum, wife and friend, I have simply not been able to try all the dishes in Davina’s book, but of the ones I have tried, 90% have been appreciated and enjoyed by all family members (including our fussy Master Jacob!) and friends.

I’ve totally enjoyed the discipline and focus doing this challenge has brought to my eating habits, and I’ve have loved seeing everyone else’s posts. The challenge has managed to inspire and motivate me across the five weeks.

From the start it was important for me to find recipes that I could cook easily and quickly, while also helping me to ‘Stay Away from Sugar’. These recipes genuinely work for us as a family and fit in with my lifestyle. I have said it before, this is NOT a diet, but a fundamental change in my perception of sugar, which has made me eat far more consciously, a habit I know I will continue.

This picture (right), which was taken last week, shows how much healthier and leaner I look. When I posted this photo on Facebook I received so many compliments and so much encouragement, and this will really help me push through my final week. What I really love is that at the moment I no longer have a double set of chins - YAY.

It feels great when people send me a message saying that they have seen my posts, and how it is motivating and inspiring them to try out the #5WeeksSugarFree challenge themselves. So, I want to say that I totally recommend anyone investing time in understanding how eliminating sugar can help change your health and wellbeing. Davina’s book is a great foundation for this and, personally, the initial challenge will simply become the way I now eat.

Personally, I’d like to thank Davina, Orion Publishing, my fellow challengers and everyone who has posted messages of support. If you are reading this and thinking, “I’d like to try this”, then start today - clear out those cupboards and buy the book.