Confession time: I used to believe my face was destined to resemble a fluffy marshmallow for eternity. It wasn’t just a self-perception; it was a conviction I held onto tightly, reinforced by years of staring at what I believed to be a round, shapeless visage in the mirror. Little did I know that my journey to rediscover my face, body and self would begin with a simple decision: to quit sugar.
My relationship with sugar wasn’t particularly unhealthy — at least, that’s what I thought. Like many people, I indulged in the occasional sweet treat, never realizing the impact it might be having on my skin and overall well-being.
It wasn’t until I started delving into research on nutrition and wellness that I began to uncover the hidden truths about sugar’s effects on the body, particularly on the skin. I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and it was time for me to take control of my lifestyle and eating habits.
As I pored over studies and articles, I was astonished to learn about the correlation between sugar consumption and various skin issues, including inflammation, acne and premature aging.
Suddenly, the innocent pleasure of indulging in a sugary snack didn’t seem very pleasurable. I soon made the decision to bid farewell to sugar and be more mindful of what I put in my stomach. Goodbye, cakes (and happiness)! To be clear, I wasn’t totally sugar-free. I still ate foods that were made with sugar, but I avoided sweets and anything made with processed sugar, like desserts, candies and carbonated drinks.
The initial weeks were challenging, to say the least. Breaking free from the grip of sugar cravings required a level of discipline I hadn’t known I possessed. But with each passing day, I found myself becoming more attuned to the needs of my body, more mindful of the choices I made regarding what I put into it. I cut sugary drinks and replaced them with herbal teas and black coffee.
Cutting out sweet treats was a little more difficult than…
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