“If you are not addicted to sugar, then you will have no problems giving it up for two weeks, right?” I thought piece of cake!!!
She challenged me to go on the Atkins diet for two weeks, just meat and vegetables. I took that challenge and learned a great deal about myself. I was indeed addicted to sugar. My first three days on Atkins I lost 21 lbs, could sleep all night long soundly, and went from having a hard time walking the driveway to my mailbox and back to walking a mile – all within three days. That was over 10 years ago and today I still battle that addiction.
Over the years I have learned a few things: when I tell people I am going off sugar they tell me I won't last and I normally don't. But I have had some successful runs, my longest being six months. This past year I decided to go off sugar and soda and simply gave up chocolate, sweets (pies, cakes, etc) and candy, as well as the soda. My last run was 86 days, and I am sorry I ever took that first bite of sugar again.
So here it is almost a new year and I am going to go at it again....are you with me? In my 86 days of being off sugar and soda I had people ask me how much weight I loss!!! Someone could tell I lost weight? Woo hoo!!! For me the only way I can lose weight, is by giving up the sugar and soda. It was a such a simple thing to do that I was not overwhelmed.
When I have gone on diets before, I think of all the things "I can't have". I see now I am focusing on large amount of "cant's" where when I give up the sugar they are all grouped together in two groups and it is less overwhelming for me. It's a step right?
Here are some pictures of the last year. What do you think?
The photo on the left was taken October 2009, the one on the right October 2010.
One of the reasons I decided to give up sugar in September was because I felt my life was so out of control and that was the only thing I could control. I made it through Halloween with no candy and through various parties and other events passing each time on the sweets and candy. I know if I can o this so can you!!! So beginning January 1, 2011 we are going to start again, one step at a time and one day at a time.
There are a few ways we can do this, in quarters like businesses do? For holidays? I have not decided which way I am doing yet. I do know with the support here, we can all do it together. I have a favorite saying (I made it up myself) “Alone we cannot win the battles, but together we can win the wars.” This is a war we are fighting and we need to ban together.
If you want to join us, please come introduce yourself and
WELCOME!!!!
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for starting this blog, and sharing your story with us. I know exactly what you're talking about, because I've struggled with my weight my whole life. I've tried every diet & exercise program out there. I just keep yo-yoing. I, too, believe I am addicted to sugar. I've tried cutting it out of my diet before, but it never lasts. My particular weakness is chocolate! I try not to eat it all the time, but I just have to have it as a treat at least once a week. And I think I kind of do go through a sort of withdrawal if I don't have it. So, here I am....I'm trying to gradually switch my diet over to more fruits, veggies, & whole foods. I'm slowly getting away from processed foods. Now I just have to conquer sugar. I'm sure it'll be helpful to interact with others in the same boat here on your blog. So....here I go....2011 is the year I eliminate sugar from my diet!!! Oh boy, I'm gonna need a lot of support for that one! :o)
Well, thanks again, Laura! Oh, and Happy New Year, too!
Wendy S. :o)
I was never a sugar eater until a few years ago when going through perimenopause....its not listed in all the list of symptoms that go along with menopause but while I continued to read I found it.....the craving for sugars, and startches. Through surgery I was able to leave that behind at least until my body decided to go through menopause naturally! That sugar craving is back. But, thanks to you, I am going to work harder to get it out.
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