Combatting The Sugar Portion....

Why is it we feel as though we must have that candy bar right then and there? Have you ever done that? Standing in line and right there is your favorite candy bar. We all have a favorite and it is most likely at the checkout stand as we are leaving. You hear it and it is screaming, “Wait you forgot me!!”

I was talking to a dietitian once and told her about my giving up sugar for a period of time. She found that interesting and asked, “Why do you feel you need to give it up?” I tried to explain to her my addiction to sugar and her comment to me was, “There is a piece of chocolate cake I have had my eye on now for two weeks in the cafeteria and it is still there. I know when I go back, there will be a piece of chocolate cake if I want it. So I tell myself, “I don't want this today, maybe tomorrow.” 

Two things I learned from her this day:

1. Those candy bars are ALWAYS going to be there the next day, I don't have to have one today for fear they won't be there tomorrow.
2. Do I have to have that candy bar or do I want that candy bar?

When I go through a checkout line and hear that Three Musketeers scream at me, “Hey Laura!! Here I am! Come get me!!” I think these two things, it will be there next time and is it something I have to have? The answer to those things usually help me get past the candy to the checkout line.  And just in case you are wondering, yes that Three Musketeers really talk to me! Ha!

Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way cured!!! I am far from it!!! But what I have learned is that I can control that sugar addiction and attraction a little bit more by creating new habits. I do ask myself these two questions and if I still feed the need for chocolate, I find sugar free chocolate to satisfy me.

Sometimes, GASP! I am not in the mood for chocolate but still want a “treat”. With that I do one of two things, nuts and fruits. I love Walnuts and I can get a small container for a couple of dollars. I also look for some fruit that looks tasty. On the days they have fresh pineapple samples, SCORE! I love that!! Sometimes, that is all I need to satisfy that craving--a sample. This Christmas I was given a dried berry mixture that was quite tasty. There was not the fructose and processed sugar content in it, although there were some sugars listed. I am just trying to find ways to break my habits and give me alternatives to the whole sugar addiction.

Another thing I have read that works for some is to limit your sugar intake to drop pounds. For me just limiting does not work, I need to find ways to cut it out completely. But if you are saying you want to try this No Sugar, No Soda thing but can't do without the sugar, try taking your Grams of Sugar down to about 30 or so a day and see if that helps.  Does that seem doable? 

Well that does mean you need to look at labels. So there are some options for you on No Sugar Thing. I have found lots of interesting articles on the net about this, that I will share along the way.  I am too lazy to do that, so I will just cut it out and live with it.

I have a little exercise for you.  We have all heard about healthy foods or what we think are healthy foods.  This is one of my favorite foods that I THOUGHT was healthy.  And it is healthier than most things, but when I saw the sugar content, I thought WHOA MAMA!! And my focus is cutting down my sugar content.  If I was to limit my Sugar Grams to 30, this would just about do it for the day.  Any guess what it is? 

 What do most of you have a harder time with the No Sugar? Or No Soda? What are your ideas on how you are going to combat this and succeed at it? Anyone have any major breakthroughs? I want to hear from you!!!

Just remember Day 2 is almost over and you all thought you couldn't get by one day!!! Yeaaa Us!!!