So this probably isn't the right blog to document my new venture, but I reeeeally don't want to start a new blog. I have enough user names and passwords to keep track of. And since I haven't posted here for about seven months, why not? :)
Started a challenge with a friend today, giving up sugar. I think we're just starting with a week of no sugar. A week is doable in my mind. I just feel the need to write my observations, mainly for myself, but if anyone else gets something out of this, GREAT!!!
So it's 5:00 p.m., and I feel great. I haven't craved anything all day...nothing! Let me back up a bit and explain (very briefly) how ADDICTED to sugar I am. For those of you who don't believe sugar is addictive, please do some research. It is an addictive substance, scientifically proven. Heck, even before it was scientifcially proven, it was proven through my personal experience.
Anyhooooo, I grew up eating TONS of sugar. My friends & I would go get our 4/$1 candy bars and eat them all...like, four candy bars EACH! :/ I ate junk all of the time. Fast forward to adulthood, and I'm the lady who goes to a gas station and gets a candy bar or two, eats them and is heading to the next gas station WHILE she's eating them, only to get more. Only a couple people who are very close to me know I do this. It's so embarrassing.
I've given up sugar before. I believe the longest time I've done it is for two months. Then I would believe that I had beaten the addiction, and I'd fool myself into believing that I could have just one bite or just one piece. Then the downhill spiral begins. And it's not pretty. Trust me, people.
So I have a wonderful friend who nonchalantly said last night, "I'll do no sugar with you if you want."
There's something about doing it with someone else that helps me. Partly because I don't feel like I'm the only person in the universe who is trying to live without sugar. People really don't like to hear it when I go off of sugar. "Well, you can't give it up forever." "Come on, you've got to LIVE!" "Everything in moderation." Blah, blah, blah, blah, BLAH!!
First of all, I CAN give it up forever. Now, if I were to tell a friend that I was thinking of giving up water forever, then I would agree that I can't give it up forever. Unless I wanted to meet my Maker sooner rather than later.
Secondly, yes, they are correct, I DO need to live. But I'll tell you what, living in the grips of a sugar addiction is not living. It's dying. It's living miserably. It's missing out on so many things, too many to list here. Sounds dramatic, I know, but...yeah.
And to the last comment, believe me, I have tried moderation. I've tried very hard to do moderation, and I don't do it well. This is the same reason I gave up all alcohol almost six years ago. I never stopped at just one beer or just one glass of wine. Excess was my game.
So I'm finally ready to admit that I CAN'T DO SUGAR IN MODERATION.
Will it be difficult at times? I'm certain of it. Will I just shrivel up and die if I never eat a piece of wedding cake or birthday cake again? I'm certain I won't. Will I leave a wedding or birthday party with my head held high and my stomach feeling clean and happy? Most certainly.
Anyway, I'm feeling great on this day one. Awake, alert, not sluggish like I normally do. Hopeful.
Yay. :D
4 comments:
You are NOT alone! I didn't grow up eating sugar. I really never even liked sweets that much. Then I got pregnant with my second child and something changed. All I wanted to eat was sugar. Whether in candy/cake/cookie form or straight out of the container - just plain sugar always works in a pinch. Over the last four years this has only gotten worse. A bad day with the kids and I NEED sugar! Too much to do and I NEED sugar. A fight with my husband and I NEED sugar. Bored - you got it I NEED sugar. And you are right - one bite is never enough.
I hope that you are able to get through your week - and maybe longer. I wish I had a friend able to support me in such an adventure. However, you have inspired me and maybe I will try for a sugar free week as well.
Jess, you should join me!!! I'm only on day 2!! And while I have this wonderful friend, she's just visiting until next week when she goes back to Japan until next year about this time. :{
Anyway, so we'll just be in touch via the computer.
You just let me know if you want to do this. Or just do it, and you don't need to tell me!! :) I plan to check in here periodically and update.
We can do this, friend!!
Hey, Jess...one more thing. I have been reading about sugar addiction and learning to live without it these past couple days. I came upon this guy's website:
http://olsonnd.com/30-sugar-free-days/
You can join for free. I ended up paying $7.95 for an e-book that's got a few recipes, but you certainly wouldn't need to.
Just thought if you were thinking of doing this, he may have some good info for you. :)
Thanks Kari.
I will be three days late but I think I will try and join you! Thanks for the website too.
I know all about how bad sugar is. Like I said yesterday I didn't grow up with sugar and my mom always gave seminars to others about the ill effects of sugar. I don't even let my kids eat much - they are allowed honey - and I don't even use sugar except for one recipe. However, none of that has stopped my sugar addiction.
Anyway, if you would like to continue this conversation my email is jess26s@yahoo.com.
Jess
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