it gets easier

People have been asking about how the no sugar thing is going, so I'm posting an update. The cravings are getting less difficult or intense or whatever. It really helps that I don't have any junk food in the house. I will admit to a few substitutes, however. 

First, a preface. I know soda, in general, is not good for you. However, I've been drinking Fresca (the cherry flavor is super yummy) and diet root beer. it tastes very much like the real thing, which, I am told, is because root beer is made with spices. I'm aware that there are drawbacks to both choices. However, I also think that total deprivation would send me over the edge. And quite frankly, no one can convince me that diet soda is just as bad as Coke. So please refrain from telling me that there are detriments to drinking it. I'm aware.

Another choice, I'm eating yogurt...the sugar free kind. I realize sugar substitutes are not great. However, yogurt has many many benefits, and it helps satisfy the cravings. Last, today I bought organic Odwalla and Kashi bars. They contain sugar, however, the sources are all organic. And the sugar count is pretty low, around 15 grams or less. I feel like it is a bit of a stretch, but I actually think they might be better choices than the yogurt and soda, especially the soda, because they are made from whole grains, contain flaxseed, etc. 

I set the goal to go sugar free for a month. I've been doing it for almost three weeks. I do see a difference in my energy level. I'm not as tired. It's funny. Last semester I was off of coke when school started. Then slowly, as things got more stressful, I told myself I needed it. And now I see that the coke craving was triggered by stress. But, while it might have been a momentary pick-me-up, I crashed. It was just making the cycle worse because an hour or so after drinking it, I felt worse. Not that that is news to anyone. I knew that's the way it worked. But I kept responding to the stress signal. So no more coke. Ever. Period. 

But the rest of the sugar food group isn't on the outs forever. I haven't decided what I will do when the month is up. I suppose it depends upon how I feel then. I will probably reintroduce it slowly. Maybe once a week or once every other week. For now, I'm just focusing on the first goal.

By the way, thanks for all the tips. I'm trying them. I bought ingredients to make a yogurt and fruit shake. I even bought plain yogurt to do it, so thanks for the tip, Heidi! I drink a lot of water. I never go to the grocery store hungry. I feel like all of the tips helped!  

HELP...

okay, so i made it a goal to go sugar free for a month. i've been wanting to do this for a while, and thought i better get to it. i started on monday, january 12th. at first, i was amazed at how i wasn't having any cravings for sugar at all. i could even look at sugary snacks without having any desire to dive in and take a bite. so i thought, hey, this is a piece of cake...no pun intended. and when i say i'm off of sugar, i mean i'm reading all labels. if sugar is in the first five ingredients, i won't eat it. i won't touch anything with any high fructose corn syrup at all. of course, i am eating fruits.

so then last night rolled around; i was really really wanting a cookie or some cake. i figured it would go away and did my best to ignore the need. but the cravings aren't going anywhere, at least not so far. it is now monday night, and i've been successfully avoiding the sugar for about twenty-four hours. but i want it. help! what do i do to kick the craving? i haven't purchased any sugary items, so all i have in the house are semi-sweet chocolate chips and some left over weight watchers ice cream bars. neither will do the trick and aren't the least bit tempting. but i'm worried about what i might do tomorrow while at school. or tomorrow night...like make cookies because i'm weak and i need it! any ideas?

Friendship

I had a very sad experience this week. On Tuesday, Dawn called me to say her husband, Jon, was in the hospital having surgery once again. My dearest, sweetest friend was married only three and a half months ago. Tuesday night, after several hours of complicated surgery, Jon passed away.  

As I slowly headed up to the hospital in Salt Lake, through a very treacherous snow storm, I thought of how grateful I am for my friends and my family. Susan was with me, and I was grateful that I didn't have to face the storm by myself and that she was willing to go out in the weather with me. When we arrived, I was grateful Dawn's family and friends were there, or arrived shortly after. I was grateful Dawn got to meet Jonathan and that they were sealed in the temple. I was grateful to know that her sister would be there early the next morning. I was grateful because all of our friends called and wanted to help. I was grateful because their neighbors cleared driveways, brought food, called, sent flowers and offered support and condolences. Mostly I was grateful I wasn't back in New Jersey. I am so grateful I could be there when she needed me most.

My heart is broken for her. I've cried with friends and family. I've sat at her feet and allowed them to sit in my lap as she rested for a moment in the hospital. Today Jamie, Amber and I gathered around her and looked at pictures from her wedding and remembered. I will never forget driving her home and leaving her at her house late Tuesday night. As we drove away, Susan said that that image would be burned in our minds forever. I agree. It will. I love you Dawn. I've always believed that we were destined to be friends. Time and time again, that is reconfirmed to me. And while I have to leave tomorrow, I want you to know you are first and foremost in my thoughts and that you will continue to be. And to the rest of my friends and family, I love you so much.