Sugar: Friend or Foe?

I’ve had a lifelong battle with refined sugar. I’m not talking about the natural sugars in fruit—I mean the candy kind. I’ve been hooked on sweets for as long as I can remember. Candy, baked goods, chocolate… you name it. Sugar had a grip on me.

And here’s the hard part—I’ve been a personal trainer for over 30 years. I know exactly how harmful sugar can be to the body. Yet, even with all my knowledge, I still found myself powerless to resist it. I’d go months without it, only to be drawn back in—whether it was a bar of chocolate, a pack of Twizzlers, or some other sugary temptation. The frustration was real. I felt like a fraud, trapped in a cycle I couldn’t break.

Then everything changed with my cancer diagnosis. In that moment, the truth hit me hard: sugar was fueling inflammation in my body, creating the perfect environment for cancer to grow. Yes—sugar (glucose) literally feeds cancer. It not only promotes growth but also contributes to the very inflammation that increases cancer risk in the first place. It was a double whammy, and I had unknowingly been laying the groundwork for years.

In a flash, my cravings disappeared. Within a month, I didn’t miss sugar at all. What used to be my go-to comfort in stressful moments suddenly became my enemy. I realized I didn’t need it—and honestly, I never did.

So, what happened after cutting sugar for just one month? I lost 10 pounds. I had more energy, fewer cravings, and greater control over what I was putting into my body. It felt amazing to finally reclaim my power from something that had enslaved me for so long. And now that I’ve broken free, I know I’ll never go back.

If you feel stuck in a similar cycle—whether it’s sugar or another habit you’re struggling to break—let’s talk. You don’t have to go through it alone. Email me at lisa@ahealthyfit.net, and let’s start a conversation about how you can break free, too.