Are You Using Sugar to Boost Your Energy?

By Laurie Erdman

If you’re using sugar to boost your energy, you’re not alone. The chief complaint I hear among clients is that sugar causes them to crash, have low energy and be sluggish.

So why do we reach for sugar when we need a boost?

Some of us do it out of habit. We have trained ourselves to believe sugar is the solution to our energy needs, even when the consequences suck. We don’t seem to know any other way. Others use sugar to make them feel good. Sugar can be a powerful comfort food. It makes us happy. We find pleasure in chocolate or the perfect eclair.

But what about that energy?When fatigue is your chief health complaint, sugar is not really a solution. Sure, it helps in the moment. But what about the consequences? Fatigue. Inflammation. More illness.

Not only does sugar throw off our body’s balance leading to that classic crash and burn, but it leads to over a 140 health issues. From contributing to diabetes, to causing rectal cancer, to ruining your sex life, sugar is a dangerous substance. Oh sure, our brain needs glucose to function. But seriously, do we need 156 pounds of it a year to keep our brain working? No.

So how can you avoid the crash and burn and keep your engines running?

First, detox from sugar. You need to get it out of your system to interrupt your reliance and create a new pattern. Of course, you can go cold turkey, but I don’t advise it – in my experience cold turkey is not sustainable. Instead, using a method like my Super Sugar Shake Down method; it’s designed for successful long-term sugar recovery.

Second, get your energy from real whole foods, instead of a chocolate bar. Once off sugar, adopting an anti-inflammatory eating plan designed to boost your energy naturally will help you keep moving.

Third, get your body moving. Lethargy begets lethargy. Movement creates energy. I don’t care if you go to the gym, the pool, the bike trail or the dance hall. Moving your body is critical for keeping your energy going.

Fourth, get some rest. I know this sounds simple, but getting 8 hours of sleep can be a huge step toward overcoming your fatigue and having more energy.

Finally, cultivate pleasure. You have to have something to replace the pleasure you get from chocolate. We can’t live a life devoid of pleasure. No fun in that. Yet sugar is so evil. So get your pleasure from somewhere else.

Overcoming your sugar cravings can feel daunting. I know that is the #1 concern people have when trying to improve their health. Indeed, it is the way most people use to sabotage their healthy lifestyle. So if you want more energy, follow the 5 steps above to escape that prison.

Laurie Erdman is a Get More Energy Superhero and Chronic Wellness Expert. She helps busy, working women who struggle with chronic stress, fatigue and autoimmune disease double their energy so they can live life with passion. Learn how to double your energy today – download 3 Superhero Tips To Doubling Your Energy in Less Than 30 Days at