I gave up added sugar for lent when I was 12. It was horrible, but a matter of pride to see it through. By Easter I was ready to pour sugar on anything and everything ... and almost vomited the results all over the school dining room floor! I have never felt a need for overly sweetened things since (55 years!). Quitting sweet things entirely 7 years ago wasn't too hard given that history. It's hard, but not really difficult. One just needs to set one's mind to it. Perhaps that is easier when one is 12, and stubborn.