I am not a fan of "dieting". I believe in eating right (healthy) and exercising regularly. That said, I, personally, have a sugar addiction. For the most part I eat healthy, and we try not to keep junk in the house, so as not to tempt ourselves. But I've found that given the option of having a treat, I go all in. I don't want just one cookie. I want four. One brownie? Are you kidding me!? It's a challenge not to eat the whole tray.
So, my New Year's Resolution to myself was to try and break my sugar habit. I like food. A lot. This was going to be difficult.
On the recommendation of friends, I got the book: 21 Day Sugar Detox, or 21DSD. It has been very helpful with information, resources, recipes and - a plan. I need a plan. Same thing with running and racing. It helps to have guidelines to follow, and this book has a Yes/No list of foods. How much easier could it be?
It's not easy at all. As of publishing this post it has been one week of the 21 day commitment. One week down! Whooo-hoooo! Two more to go. . .
Honestly, Day 1 was the hardest, so far. I wanted to eat one of my children. The cat looked good too. . .and when one of my students was eating cheetos (which I never eat normally), I almost grabbed and scarfed the whole bag.
Use willpower, I will.
So, instead of eating these fabulous smelling donuts that someone left in the teachers' lounge,
I went back to my desk and ate peppers. Mmmmm.
Instead of eating tortilla chips with my chili, I had sunflower seeds. Mmmmmm.
Are you catching the sarcasm? It's there.
Now, I normally eat the raw peppers, sunflower seeds, apple slices, etc. I do snack healthy. BUT I also would have taken half a donut. I would have had those tortilla chips with my chili.
Not for three weeks though.
I found myself ridiculously hungry that first day. When I ran the next day, I was afraid I was going to pass out, so I figured I needed to eat more.
There is a section in the book that addresses people who exercise a lot and how to modify the 21DSD to accommodate extra activity. I thought I was following it, but I don't want to pass out while working out.
So I added a "cheat" of Greek yogurt, which is not on the approved list, but contains a lot of protein.
I also make sure to pack a lot of healthy "approved" snacks to carry with me at all times. If I am hungry, I eat.
The main reason for doing this was to try and break the sugar cravings, but also to improve my diet overall. I had not realized, before doing the 21DSD how much sugar is in everything. I mean everything - dressings, marinades, ketchup, mustard, nut butters, yogurts, breads, chips, and pasta. It's already in things naturally such as fruits, but add that with all the processed junk, it becomes a lot! Not just sugar, but even sugar substitutes are to be avoided. I had thought I was doing well adding Stevia to drinks instead of sugar or splenda, but apparently not. Sugar substitutes are apparently just as evil as regular sugar.
By Day 3, I noticed that I felt less tired, and more alert. Could it be that eliminating sugar could result in me losing my afternoon slump? Amazing.
Today is Day 7 and I am finally not having ridiculous cravings for sugar. I have made it seven days and the world is still spinning, my house still needs cleaning, and life goes on. I do actually feel better.
Can I make it two more weeks?
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