Thinking About Giving up Sugar for a Bit
Recently we have been thinking a lot about our relationship to what it is we want and then how we go about getting it. We led a workshop on this very topic recently and what we propose is that if a gal (or guy for that matter) has a desire for something (be it a break or less structure in her life or more fun) AND if she does not feel she has permission to have what it is that she wants, than she may act out with food. In other words, she may be using food or drink as a filler. Can you relate? Have you ever wanted to stop cleaning your house or working on that project at work or school and felt you couldn’t and instead went and got a snack?
As we hashed this topic out a bit in preparation for the workshop and as we heard from those who attended I realized that I have been doing this a lot recently. I have been “treating myself” with food, specifically with sugary foods. What became clearer to me is that since becoming a mom 2 years ago I have missed having leisurely time to myself, time where I could simply do what I wanted and what felt like sweet things to give to myself (wandering around the shopping district in the evening, reading on my couch, or spontaneously joining friends for happy hour, etc.). And really, this is something I know I have been doing for a long time, using food as a way to be good to myself, to get that break, or to relax.
I want to play with this a bit and would love a few friends on the journey to see what would happen if we traded the sugary treat for a real treat. If I get clear about what I really want and go after it directly, a break, leisure time, or whatever, will the sweets lose their charm?
This is a little experiment that has a few parts to it:
1. Identify what I want: For me I think it’s leisure time
2. Figure out how to get it as often as I need it: TBD
3. Let go of the habit that I was previously using as a filler: For me, the filler was sugar. I was habitually going to the sweets to get the break/treat/leisure. Particularly in the afternoon when the day can feel it’s longest, and at night when it is “my time.”
So I am committing to going without sugar for 2 weeks beginning on Valentines Day. I will be blogging about the coming 2 weeks and what happens when I let go of my favorite vice. I will try to keep the bitching to a minimum and I will offer some tools to help with the challenges. Want to join me? Great. Here is how to begin:
1. Consider something you are craving more of in your life - more downtime, more fun, etc. What is missing for you?
2. Reply with a comment to this post or another one on the same topic in the coming days to let me know I am not alone!
3. Prepare to stop eating sugar on Sunday, Feb 14th. We will define "sugar" in the coming days.
4. Stay tuned. More blog posts on the way. Check back often, every other day or so, or simply subscribe to the blog.
Giving Up Sugar
I did not wait till Valentine's Day but started on the 12th, with mixed results. But that, I think, is because of a mixed kind of commitment, not a nothing v/s some v/s a lot commitment. I'm used to rewarding myself daily for a meal well eaten, or using it as a pickup if I'm tired before bedtime.
I've kept a log on the pantry door, so when I indulge, it's data on the sheet. I've cut down on sugar and carbs significantly for two weeks now. I often substitute a sweet leaf of Napa cabbage or a crunchy radish for the cookie I might have grabbed in the past. But I am still rewarding myself with about 100 calories a day of sugar treat, most usually when I feel fatigue or a need to take a pause in the endless stream of productive activities.
So my particular challenge seems to be at those moments when sugar calls, allowing myself to rest and reflect, rather than filling my mouth.
I weighed in after two weeks and have not lost by the scale, but that will come. It will come faster if I swear off sugar and go back to daily exercise. But I feel better in my body and am happy about the changes I've made in my diet- more veggies, more grains, no dairy except milk and plain yogurt, a planned meal, portions instead of I'll eat till I'm full.
But the sugar treats are still an issue. I'd appreciate any tricks, boosts and tips Sarah could provide. Perhaps if I knew how many calories equal a pound ,I'd relate differently to my 700 weekly ":fun" calories.
Pushing Pause
Thanks for your comments! Wow! First, I want to say how much I appriciate your observations. It seems you are very thoughtful with your food and choices. And as long as the log on the pantry door is being used to watch behavior (and not to judge and punish!) than seems like a good tool.
My question is, are you clear WHY you are making these changes. Not necessarily, why sugar is bad, or because you want to lose weight. But how would your life be different if you did not use/abuse sweets? And can you use the next week and a half to explore when those cravings show up to ask yourself what it is you are really craving (for me it is usually a break, or I want to feel taken care of)? Since gaining some clarity on what I was using sugar for, this week has been facinating without it. I can notice more clearly when I simply in need of a break or a "treat" for myself and then I can just do that for myself rather than feeding myself with sugar. And the sugar cravings are changing.
If you are new to our work, you will soon see that we are not promoters of diet, we are promoters of learning what our relationship with food has been and creating changes at that level. Makes making change almost easy!
Going sugar free
I'm in! I've already had my system clear of sugar for the past 5 days as I realized for myself how often it had become such a "convenient" option. I feel so much better! Looking forward to following your journey, and by the way, my life is no less sweet! In fact it feels sweeter to feel so clear in my mind and body. Thanks for doing this. Who else is in?!
Going Sugar Free
I'm in!
I'm also on week 3 of the workbook ^_^
~Merrial
i begin Wednesday
I have also lessened the amount of sugar for about a week now, and Wednesday I will be giving it up for 40 days. I am also thinking about what will make the cut aside from fruits and veggies; so I am going to read your list next. Thanks for adding me as a friend on twitter!
Miss Anissha