I've been noticing something the last few days... even weeks... as I've been traveling around Bloggyland. The angst level has risen again, the way it did around Christmas. Only this time is has to do with Easter goodies. You know... favorite candies, gooey filled chocolate animal shapes, creme filled eggs, and those adorable/creepy Peeps. And favorite prepared dishes of all sorts.
Some just taste fabulous... others bring back memories of traditions and loved ones.
There are those people who are fine with a moderate serving. They enjoy it and move on... no biggee.
Then there are those that react to the tastes, smells, and memories, and it causes them to fall off the wagon. So they choose to skip it til later in their journey.
And there are those that physically can't handle the sugar hit, and choose not to sabotage themselves by eating it, even at a holiday. They have more important priorities than a temporary party in the mouth. I am in that camp. I haven't eaten sugar since March 16th, 2009.
There are many different roads leading to Thinsville. We all need to find the one that we can travel successfully... personalize it and make it our own. What we do NOT need to do is put down the path taken by the other guy.
Sadly, I've read too many blogs trumping their own method at the expense of others... using words like ridiculous, silly, and... worse. Those who can eat sugar without side-effects don't need stategies to resist it. Luckily for them, they can just eat a little and stop.
But listen up: there is research showing that about half the overweight population can NOT handle sugar. They are sensitive to it, in varying degrees. From insulin resistant to full-blown diabetic. So remember, one size does NOT fit all. Okay, off my soapbox now. ;-)
Back to Easter candy....as I read blog after blog after blog... lamenting all their favorites, and either struggling to resist, or caving in and eating something not on their chosen plan, or in amounts not permitted on their plan... I realized something: I haven't been tempted with these goodies in ages!
I didn't drool over Halloween bite-sized Snickers, caramel covered apples, or candy corn.
I survived Thanksgiving just fine without overstuffing myself with mashed potatoes and gallons of gravy, and two or three servings of pie with whipped cream.
I wasn't daydreaming for Christmas cinnamon swirls, egg nog, and mountains of baked yummies.
I didn't miss Valentine's chocolates one bit.
And I was not tempted to run out and buy Chocolate Jackalopes and Peeps for Easter, as though there was going to be a world shortage and this would be my last chance.
I asked myself why? What has changed? Do I still enjoy this stuff?? Sure, it still tastes good, smells good, looks good.
But my PRIORITIES have changed. I am willing to WAIT on filling my mouth with yummies now, in order to have a bigger prize later.
And then I remembered... my "trick".
You see, back in March of 2009, it was not all easy peasy. It was TOUGH to say no to an appetite that had been coddled and catered to for all it's spoiled life. I had tried and failed sooo many times, and just had to do it different this time. No way was I going to commit to "never" having my favorites again. Forget that noise!!
So I made a "deal" with myself. I started a list, calling it my
Later List
Any time I wanted to eat a thing that was not on my plan, I wrote it down on my Later List. Here is that actual list... you can see it's nothing fancy:
So now you know all my weaknesses, LOL!
And it was not phoney. I really meant it... that later, I could have anything on that list. I just could not have it NOW, at the time I wrote it down. But it was like a contract, and by putting it on that list, I had a deal, I could have it later. Do I have treats now? Of course, but not with sugar in them, which is like a crave-inducing drug to me.
It worked. I was able to put my urges down into writing, and NOT eat them. Yes, it was just one of many tools. I also did other things, like ask myself the question as to WHY I wanted to eat...
What was I feeling?
What emotion was I trying to numb?
Why did I want to stuff my face instead of facing my stuff?
But this piece of paper was a very helpful tool in my arsenal, so I thought I'd share it. I haven't used it in about 5 months, and actually forgot about it until last night.
It seemed the HABIT of not immediately caving into those urges finally took hold, and a new healthy habit of good choices took it's place. Yay!!! Progress!
From Dr Phil's book: "It's about changing yourself from the inside out."
My verse for today: "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
My quote for today: "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." --Wayne Dyer
8 comments:
Good for you! I would probably have an easier time if I stayed away from sugar! :-/
That is a great idea, i think I will implement it this week. I DO have a splurge day once a month. I think it will be interesting to see how many of the things I want that I write down will still be there as a craving when the time comes to have exactly what I want.
Great post! As a mommy, I worry about how to handle Easter in the years to come. This year, like last year, was easy because Ramsey doesn't even want candy, meaning I didn't have to really deal with it. I did think about going off plan on Easter - it seemed like a great excuse to down too much chocolate. I realized that there was no reason for me to go off plan and that I'd just have to make up for it later, so I stayed strong. I'm doing less and less sugar in my diet, and it's TOUGH. You're my hero for being off sugar for a year. That is so fantastic! I love the idea of having a later list. Happy Easter!
You mentioned that about half the overweight population has trouble with sugar. I would add that most thin people I know feel the same way. I no very few people regardless of size who say they can eat just one of those chocolate bunnies. I'm like you Loretta, I don't eat the first one. Once I start, there's no stopping me.
I really needed this. THank you.
What a great tool. I never thought of that one.
I gave up my skinny cows. Yup. It's like a momentous ocassion. And, I'm fine with it. I switched to organic coconut milk bars. No sugar. No high fructose. It's a few more calories, but it's all real food. I was ready to take that step and so I did.
Know what I made for Easter? Tofu steaks with pesto and mushroom rockefeller. Oven fries. Mmmm. It was good.
It's big progress that you don't want that stuff anymore. I usually feel that, too. Don't want it.
I might try the later list for a couple habits I still struggle with.
Sugar is like a drug to me too. Very addicting. I am not delivered. Good job for going no sugar for over a year! That is quite an accomplishment! :)
"They have more important priorities than a temporary party in the mouth." Hopefully, that is now true of each of us on this Highway to Thin--regardless of how we handle holiday eating.
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