Giving Up Sugar

That's what I did for Lent, along with a coworker.  Well, we gave up desserts and candy, really.  My husband couldn't understand why.  He asked me why I don't just eat it in moderation and use self-control.  That's when I realized I really did have a problem and needed to do something about it.  Because I told him that when I take one bite that is all I can think about until I get some more.  Then before I know it, I eat the whole bag/batch/pan/carton, etc.  I was addicted.  It was bad for me.  And I needed to do something about it.  So I gave it up; telling myself that desserts were no longer for me.

I have messed up a few times so far.

• At Bible study one week we had ice cream and homemade hot fudge sauce.
• I grabbled some chocolate candy sitting around at church.
• I made chocolate chip bars for my husband's work, and then ate the leftovers.
• My husband brought home donuts one Saturday morning.
• I ate a handful of chocolate chips from the cupboard.  I figured was if I finished them up, then I wouldn't want to eat them anymore...  Can you say flawed reasoning?

But all in all, it hasn't been as tortuous as I expected.  The biggest factor that has helped me is to not keep chocolate in the house, nor any baked goods lying around.  Because I still don't trust my self-discipline, or rather, the lack thereof.  The times when I started eating it, the craving for more came back.  That's how I know I am an addict.

But now, I feel empowered by the fact that I know I can quit it, if I want to, and if I equip myself .

These past several weeks, I have not regretted turning down a dessert.  When I tell myself, "No, that's not for me," I never feel worse for it later.  The regret and bad feelings come when I am not self-disciplined.  The fleeting taste is not worth the bad feelings later.  I do have keep something around to snack on, though.  I still get hungry about 3pm.  I just eat something different.  (I have often found myself eating some leftovers from the fridge or making a sandwich and a glass of milk at this time of day... That's healthier than the alternative.)

To tell the truth, if I had been happy with my figure, as I typically am, I don't know if I would have been motivated to do this.  My motivation was not a spiritual one as it should have been for Lent.  Instead, it was selfish.  They stretchy post-baby gut was harder to lose this time around, and I needed all the help I could get.  If you are wondering if a sugar fast like this could make a difference for your appearace, I will say that it has for me.  Nothing drastic, but I can tell.  But then again, I have been working out more, too, so who knows.

What I do know is....

It is freeing to not be a slave to my addiction.

I may always be a sugar-addict, but I can be a recovering one.

Those have been good things for me to learn.

I am looking forward to baking again, starting next week, after Easter.  But I am going to be putting some limits on myself and what I make and keep in the house.  I'm not sure yet what I can handle... I'll keep you posted.