I did not think that I would ever say this, but I’m giving up sugar…
For a MONTH.
I know, I know. Try not to faint.
Here’s the thing:
I was chatting with a friend about a mutual acquaintance, and my friend mentioned that said acquaintance is giving up alcohol for a while because she realized that she really wanted that drink every night, and that wasn’t where she wanted to be.
And, well… I don’t have a problem with alcohol. I have a problem with desserts.
I crave something sweet after pretty much every meal. If there’s a free sample of something sweet, I cannot pass it by. If there are multiple desserts on a buffet table, you can bet your sweet bippy that I will be having some of each thankyouverymuch.
And much like the girl with her glass of wine, I don’t like the fact that I can’t pass up dessert. I don’t like that the chocolate chip cookies pretty much rule me.
And I plan to make those cookies my b*tch.
Because here’s the other half of this equation: I really want to be a good role model for my daughter. I want to be able to teach her that treats are OK, but that they’re treats, not every day foods. And I realized, how can I ask her to do something I can’t even do for myself?
It’s really about love.
I need to love myself enough to treat my body with respect and feed myself well, the way I know will make me feel my best. And I need to love my daughter enough to do teach her to do the same. I need to love myself enough to know that I can be a good role model for her, and not rely on the “do as I say, not as I do” model of parenting.
I need to remember that those cookies don’t love me, even if I think I love them. And I need to remember that I love myself more than I love any chocolate, or cake, or dessert.
So, I’m going to give up sugar for a month and see if that helps me kick the cravings. It’s not going to be pretty, and it’s not going to be fun. And I’m already planning that I have to have one cheat day; I’m having a little dinner party on the 15th, I’m making a flourless chocolate cake (recipe to come, no worries), and there’s no way I’m not indulging in a little slice of that.
You can probably expect a little whining on here. But hopefully it won’t last too long. My rules will be pretty simple: no added refined sugars, try to avoid other added sugars like honey and whatnot, no chemical sugar substitutes. So, for example, I’m not going to be putting honey on my oatmeal, but my sandwich bread recipe calls for it, and I’m not going to sweat that.
Any tips from someone who’s been there before?
Image some rights reserved by Uwe Hermann
I totally know how you feel. Are you giving up sugar as in no fruits because they have sugar in it or mostly baked goods/sweets/treats?
If not, I like having a cool glass of water with a slice of lime in it or even watermelon that sweetens it a bit but isn’t that slice of pie I would have had instead after a meal.
I haven’t gone a whole month, but I’ve cut out other things and this is my process. It definitely is difficult but its a nice test and also body will be thankful 🙂
Good luck! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback.
Not giving up fruit. I had a HUGE bowl of watermelon the other night after dinner for “dessert.” 🙂
And, I’ve already had to rethink a little; I’ve already RSVPd for several food events this month, including one last night in which the slow-roasted pork shoulder was crusted in brown sugar. SO GOOD! Haha.
So, I guess I’m giving up added sugars at home. 😛 I think even just cutting back that much will be good for me.
Good luck, I think this is a great idea. I have my ups and downs with sugar cravings, too, and I have definitely noticed in myself that the more I eat sugar the more I crave it. My advice is, the first three days are the hardest – like after dinner it is all you can do to stop thinking about a freaking dessert – but then after three days it gets much easier. You will do great!