Kicking Sugar

Sugar. 

It comes in all shapes, sizes and forms. Warm moist fudge brownies, fresh baked cookies, smooth soft caramel, and cold creamy ice cream.... squares of yellow cake, triangles of pie, circles of peanut butter cups... popcorn balls, odd shaped nerds, long licorice ropes, and of course chocolate; the list of these delicate delicious treats could go on and on. The taste is so sweet on lips and to the taste buds as these items are indulged. 

But.

The trend had been that I was indulging on this evil nemesis called sugar way. to. often. It called my name in the afternoon when the kids were asleep and I had time to curl up and read my book. It called my name after dinner to top off a meal and fill in the cracks with something sweet. It called my name at any and all social gatherings. It called my name randomly late at night and frequently at restaurants. Sugar: Hooked. And addicted. 

But. 

My mom has been doing this really, really, healthy eating diet. Every time I would go to her house she would gladly share with me her new, healthy meal that she had tried, and thus far all of them have been excellent! Her desire to be healthy, and actually doing it, started to create a desire in me. There seemed to be so many benefits to eating healthy. 

I wanted to be healthy. I didn't want to be hooked, and addicted to sugar. I want to raise my kids on healthy food. I want to have more energy. I wanted to lose weight, like had been happening to my mom, without starving myself. I wanted to have clearer skin. I wanted all of these things but didn't seem to have the motivation or will power to achieve them. 

Until.

One Sunday afternoon I was sharing my sugar woes with my sister and some other family members that were seated around the table. My sister said that her piano teacher and their family had been doing a point system type of thing for healthier living. She pulled it up and showed me and with some modifications we started. The point system we are currently using is as follows:

Intake 64 oz water (2 points)

2 servings of fruit- 1/2 cup=1 serving (3 points)

3 servings of veggies- 1/2 cup=1 serving (3 points)

Cardio/strength/yoga ect. ( 1 point per each 10 minutes maximum 6 points a day, maximum 6 days a week)

No eating after 9 pm (3 points)

No sweets or sugary drinks (5 points) (Except one sweet treat Saturday and one on Sunday)

Self Goal- you choose (2 points)

Going cold turkey with no sugar seemed daunting and impossible, especially since at family dinner every Sunday there is ALWAYS a treat. That is why we added a sweet treat on Saturday and Sunday. It made this whole thing seem more do-able. We have nice little charts that we record our successes or failures for the day in points, and we are keeping a running total until Halloween and whoever has most points then wins the pot (we all put 10$ in).

I have tried really hard to stick to it and have done alright so far. Yesterday, though, we had a special dinner and I knew there would be treats there so I decided to forgo my sugar points for the day. I snacked on treats all afternoon and at the dinner. Come 8 pm I really was feeling the effects of it... My head was raging and pounding in pain and felt even worse when I moved too fast. I knew it was my evil nemesis, sugar, working its way through my system. I resolved that I need to stick with not eating sugary things that often because of what it does to me! 

I am grateful that I have such good family members that are encouraging me to eat better and be a support for me in that aspect. Although I felt sick after consuming so much of it, I felt good knowing that trying hard to avoid the sugar was working for me. Until that afternoon I had been feeling better. My skin was clearing up and I was making healthier food choices. 

So if sugar is your nemesis too, you are not alone. At times it is still really difficult but I know I can do it and I know all the positive effects of avoidance. 

Tell me what you do to no eat so much sugar, and if you don't do anything start something! Jump on board!