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A TikTok creator has shared her 'inspiring' no-sugar journey, which has gone viral on the platform, racking up over 16.6 million views. After years of struggling with eight common

health conditions, including bloating, fatigue, inflammation, poor sleep, dull skin and lack of focus, 23-year-old Fatmagül Karabacak knew something had to change. What began as a commitment

to social media's popular 75 Hard challenge quickly turned into a long shift toward a no-sugar lifestyle, and she says she’s never felt better. The 75 Hard Challenge is a rigorous

75-day program aimed at enhancing mental resilience, physical fitness, and self-discipline by following specific daily guidelines. The challenge was made famous by entrepreneur and public

speaker Andy Frisella. It involves committing to a dietary regimen, engaging in two workouts each day (with one being outdoors), drinking a gallon of water, reading 10 pages from a

self-improvement book, and capturing a daily progress photo, all for 75 straight days. While participating in the challenge, Fatmagül decided to cut out sugar while she was at it. She says

she's seen incredible changes since making the diet swap, from clearer skin and less bloating to better sleep and mental clarity, all by cutting out sugar. Before ditching processed

food and sugar, she described herself as skinny but with a "fat face." Speaking to Fat Burners Only about her transformation, she said: "I just woke up one day and had

enough." 'THE BEST DECISION I'VE MADE FOR MY BODY, MIND AND SKIN' After just four weeks of ditching sugar, Fatmagül began to see major changes, such as improved sleep,

sustained energy levels and better focus. She added: "I sleep 7 to 9 hours now and actually feel rested. I’ve lost over 5 kilograms, my skin’s clearer, and I’ve said goodbye to

bloating. Pants I couldn’t fit into before? Now they’re too big!" But it wasn’t just physical changes. "I just feel so much better mentally, I’m calmer, clearer, and honestly just

lighter all around. Not just in my body, but in my mind too - like I’ve got a sense of control back” she said. 'I’M NOT RESTRICTING MYSELF, I’M LISTENING TO MY BODY' What sets her

journey apart from fad diets is that nothing else was cut, just sugar. "I’m not starving or skipping out on carbs, I'm simply just eating more intuitively now, fuelling my body

with food that makes me feel good." Fatmagül credits her success to the fact that cutting out sugar "is not a crash diet, it's a sustainable lifestyle change." She

continued: "I’ve found a few go-to healthy snacks that really help when I’m craving something sweet, like dates with peanut butter, berries with a bit of dark chocolate, or caramelised

banana with oats. "I also love simple meals like chicken breast with hummus and apple slices, or making protein pancakes and fruit bowls. They’re honestly delicious, and I never feel

like I’m missing out." 'SAYING NO WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND MILESTONE' Of course, like any life-changing diet or regimen, the journey to a sugar-free lifestyle isn’t

without its challenges. "Eating out was hard, and so was explaining the diet to people who didn’t get it. But as soon as people started noticing the difference - that’s when it clicked,

not only for them, but for me too," Fatmagül said. "The hardest challenge of all was simply just saying no to myself. I found when I started posting my journey on TikTok it held

me accountable and helped me stay focused. Knowing that others started the diet because of me was also incredibly motivating." 'JUST START, IT’S HARD TO BEGIN WITH BUT IT REALLY IS

WORTH IT' When asked what she’d tell herself before starting the no-sugar journey, Fatmagül said: "You’ll have to let go of a few things, and it won’t always be easy, but you are

so worth the effort. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, just take the first step." Her advice to anyone considering the diet is to ease into it and focus on how your body feels rather

than following strict rules. "Take it slow, be patient, and really listen to your body. If the process feels good and you’re seeing positive changes, then keep going. But if it doesn’t

feel right for you, that’s okay too, it’s about what works for you." Now, 56 days into her journey, Fatmagül says she has no plans to stop, and what’s been even more rewarding is seeing

those around her feel inspired to make changes of their own. She said: "My friends and family have noticed such a big shift in me, physically and mentally, so much so that a lot of

them have started making changes too. That part has been really special." HOW DOES SUGAR AFFECT THE BODY? Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity, as the body

stores excess glucose as fat. It also raises the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Sugar can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, resulting in energy dips

and irritability. A diet high in sugar may contribute to chronic inflammation, affecting overall health. Sugar can also disrupt hormone levels, which may interfere with ovulation and lead

to hormonal acne. It is also a significant factor in tooth decay and dental issues. Some research indicates a connection between high sugar consumption and increased anxiety and depression.

Eating sugary foods, particularly at night, can disturb sleep patterns and reduce sleep quality. For those with diabetes, excessive sugar intake can harm the kidneys, and high sugar levels

can damage nerve fibres, causing tingling, numbness, and pain. The NHS says: "The type of sugars most adults and children in the UK eat too much of are 'free sugars'."

These are: * Any sugars added to food or drinks. These include sugars in biscuits, chocolate, flavoured yoghurts, breakfast cereals and fizzy drinks. These sugars may be added at home, or by

a chef or other food manufacturer. * Sugars in honey, syrups (such as maple, agave and golden), nectars (such as blossom), and unsweetened fruit juices, vegetable juices and smoothies. The

sugars in these foods occur naturally but still count as free sugars. It adds: "Sugar found naturally in milk, fruit and vegetables does not count as free sugars. We do not need to cut

down on these sugars, but remember that they are included in the 'total sugar' figure found on food labels." SHOULD YOU CUT OUT SUGAR, TOO? It's usually a good idea to

cut down on added sugar for improved health. You don't have to completely remove sugar from your diet, but lowering your intake of added sugars can bring about many positive effects.

Added sugars are added to food during processing or cooking, while natural sugars are present in fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It's usually advised to concentrate on cutting

back on added sugars rather than eliminating all types of sugar altogether. For some, making sudden and significant changes can be tough. A gradual decrease in added sugar consumption can be

more manageable and sustainable. Speak to your doctor first before making any major diet or lifestyle changes, especially if you have a medical condition, are being treated for one or take

medication. It's important to read labels carefully. Be aware of the added sugar content in packaged foods and drinks. Many items have hidden sugars, making label reading crucial.