By Mike, The SugarFreeMan
Founder of SugarDetox.com and the 30-Day Sugar Freedom Challenge
Resolutions, diets, and goals – oh my!
Weight loss and healthy eating is the number one New Year’s resolution. Every single year. Coming in at over 21% of ALL resolutions, it’s a constant winner.
People really want this. YOU really want this.
They write it down. They resolve it. They “Law of Attraction” it. They meditate on it. They pray about it. They Google it. They visualize it. They try it. They play with it.
And in the end, sometimes they cry about it.
Yes, you may have even cried about this.
I’ve seen it thousands of times. Good people, smart people, motivated people – crying because they can’t seem to make this one thing work. They’ve conquered other challenges in their lives, but sugar keeps winning.
We want you to be able to stick to it and make it a lifestyle this time – not just another diet that fails by February.
After 35 years sugar-free and helping tens of thousands break free from sugar addiction, I’ve learned one ingredient separates those who succeed from those who keep struggling: support.
Not willpower. Not information. Not motivation. Support.
This article was review by Dr. Camela McGrath, MD, FACOG. Find more about her here
The One Ingredient That Changes Everything
I’ve been interviewing speakers for the Kick Sugar Summit, and I wish I could fast-forward you to see what I’ve seen these past few weeks.
Just this morning’s interview was life-changing.
A mom, wife, and sugar educator – wise beyond her years and leading thousands for over a decade.
And what did she say was THE most important ingredient in the mindful quest to walk away from sugar?
Support.
S.U.P.P.O.R.T.
Not a new diet plan.
Not a magic superfood.
Not a supplement.
Not willpower tricks.
Not motivation hacks.
Support.
She called it: “Building Scaffolding”
What “Building Scaffolding” Actually Means
Think about scaffolding on a building – a temporary structure that supports workers while construction happens.
You need scaffolding while you’re rebuilding your relationship with sugar.
Building scaffolding means creating layers of support to bridge you over the rough spots:
- People – your supportive friends/family
- Systems – routines, meal plans
- Groups – community
- Self-compassion
- Preparation
- Accountability
This scaffolding isn’t forever, but during detox and emotional rewiring, you absolutely need it.
Trying to quit sugar without support is like trying to build a skyscraper without scaffolding – you might get a few floors up, but eventually you’ll fall.
If you want this to become a lifestyle – not just another diet – the 30-Day Sugar Detox Challenge gives you the daily support, structure, and community you need to make it happen.
Join the Challenge and Start Your Transformation.
Why Support Matters More Than Willpower
Willpower is a finite resource. Support is renewable.
When you rely on willpower alone:
- It drains throughout the day
- Stress drains it faster
- Sleep affects it
- Decision fatigue burns it out
- By 9 PM, it’s empty
That’s why most people break in the evening – not weakness, but exhaustion.
With support:
- You borrow strength when yours is gone
- You reach out before breaking
- Accountability keeps you steady
- Community reminds you why
- Support doesn’t run out at 9 PM
Support catches you when willpower fails.
The Science Behind Support
Research from the NIH shows social support is one of the strongest predictors of behavior change.
Here’s why support works:
1. Activates different brain pathways
Support engages your social brain, overriding addiction circuits.
2. Breaks shame
Sharing removes secrecy — secrecy feeds addiction.
3. Provides perspective
Someone outside your head sees clearly.
4. Creates accountability
Your goals become witnessed.
5. Models success
Seeing others succeed makes you believe you can too.
Treating Yourself Like a Child
If a child struggles, you:
- Speak kindly
- Help them through
- Never shame them
- Stay with them until the feeling passes
- Celebrate wins
But when YOU struggle, you likely:
- Speak harshly
- Shame yourself
- White-knuckle alone
- Hide
- Beat yourself up
This never works.
You need scaffolding to hold you up.
What Layers of Support Look Like
Layer 1: Inner Support (Self-Compassion)
Replace harsh thoughts with:
“This is hard. Sugar addiction is real.”
“I’m rewiring my brain.”
“A slip is part of the process.”
Layer 2: Close Support (Inner Circle)
Your 1–3 people who truly support you.
Ask them:
- “Please don’t offer me sugar.”
- “Can I text you when struggling?”
- “Celebrate milestones with me?”
- “Check in weekly?”
Layer 3: Community Support
This is your tribe – people who understand.
Gives you:
- 24/7 support
- Shared experience
- Practical tips
- Encouragement
- Judgment-free space
Layer 4: Expert Support
Guides who’ve been there.
They provide:
- Roadmaps
- Proven strategies
- Education
- Course corrections
Layer 5: Systems Support
Practical structures like:
- Meal planning
- Kitchen setup
- Routines
- Emergency plans
- Tracking
More layers = more success.
Expect Bumps In the Road
If you expect perfection, you’ll quit after one slip.
Physical bumps:
Headaches, cravings, fatigue, sleep changes
Emotional bumps:
Mood swings, resurfacing emotions
Social bumps:
People pressuring you to eat sugar
Mental bumps:
Rationalizations, doubts
How to prepare:
- Expect challenges
- Have a plan
- Build support early
- Practice self-compassion
- Know who to call
- Remember it’s temporary
Why This Year Can Be Different
This time, you’re building scaffolding.
You will:
- Build support before you start
- Connect with people who understand
- Expect bumps
- Reach out when struggling
- Use systems instead of willpower alone
This time, it’s a lifestyle – not a diet.
Diets fail because they end.
Lifestyles succeed because they’re sustainable.
Support makes it sustainable.
Your Next Step
Start building your scaffolding:
- Identify your inner circle
- Find your community
- Get a roadmap
- Set up your systems
- Practice self-compassion
You deserve health, freedom, and results.
Here’s your scaffolding:
👉 30-Day Sugar Detox Challenge (community, accountability, expert guidance, meal plans, daily support)
See you on the inside.
About the Author
Mike Collins, known as “The SugarFreeMan,” has been sugar-free for 35+ years and is the founder of SugarDetox.com. He has helped tens of thousands break free from sugar addiction through science-based strategies and behavior change tools.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making major dietary changes.
FAQ
Q: Why is support more important than willpower for quitting sugar? A: Willpower is a finite resource that depletes throughout the day – by 9 PM most people have none left, which is why evening sugar binges are common. Support is renewable and available when willpower fails. Research shows social support is one of the strongest predictors of successful behavior change. Support activates different brain pathways, breaks shame cycles, provides perspective, creates accountability, and models success through others who’ve succeeded.
Q: What does “building scaffolding” mean for sugar addiction recovery? A: Building scaffolding means creating temporary layers of support that hold you up while you’re rebuilding your relationship with sugar, similar to scaffolding supporting a building during construction. The five layers include: inner support (self-compassion), close support (1-3 trusted people), community support (groups who understand), expert support (coaches, programs, educators), and systems support (meal plans, routines, emergency plans).
Q: How should I treat myself during sugar withdrawal? A: Treat yourself exactly as you would treat a struggling child – with kindness, acknowledgment that the pain is real, patience, and comfort without shame. Instead of harsh self-talk like “what’s wrong with me,” try compassionate responses like “this is hard, sugar addiction is real, I’m doing something difficult.” Self-compassion creates an internal environment where change is possible rather than one where shame keeps you stuck.
Q: What bumps should I expect when quitting sugar? A: Expect physical bumps (withdrawal symptoms days 2-7, intense cravings, energy fluctuations), emotional bumps (mood swings, old feelings surfacing, grief over losing sugar as comfort), social bumps (people pushing sugar on you, awkward social events, unsupportive family), and mental bumps (rationalizations, comparisons to others, doubt about long-term success). Expecting these challenges prevents them from feeling like failure.
Q: What’s the difference between a diet approach and a lifestyle approach to quitting sugar? A: A diet is something you do temporarily until reaching a goal, then return to normal – which is why diets fail and weight returns. A lifestyle is how you live from now on with no end date where you “go back to” sugar. Support makes the difference between temporary success and permanent change. Without support, you’ll eventually exhaust yourself and return to old patterns.
Q: How do I build support layers before I start quitting sugar? A: Start by identifying your inner circle (1-3 people who will actively support you), finding your community (groups of others quitting sugar), getting a roadmap (program or guide to follow), setting up systems (meal plans, kitchen changes, routines), and practicing self-compassion (deciding how you’ll treat yourself when things get hard). Build support before you need it – don’t wait until you’re in crisis.
