I like your way of thinking towards the goal.
Surely everything in life has its price to be paid, being a price not necessarily a monetary value. I stopped smoking some months ago and it was quite hard, too. Especially during the first famous 3 days you mentioned. It´s like you said: you actually don´t decide to stop or leave something, you decide on a healthier life. The goal is the purpose.
Congrats on your (mental) power, I guess I couldn´t even think about one single sugar-free day :-D