What I'm Giving Up for the Challenge
Sugar...and sadly, we are not just talking white stuff. Sugar addiction is fed by fructose which in large quantities, is pretty nasty stuff and toxic to our bodies. TOXIC. Unfortunately we're also talking honey, agave, maple syrup, raw sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, fruit juice and all the hidden sugars in our foods: bread, sauces etc - I'm giving it all up for the challenge.
Since our family holiday several weeks (ahem, months) back, I have been indulging a bit of a cake-habit. I can usually say no and exercise restraint but following unbridled holiday-fun-eating, the evil sugar addiction has taken over - it's staggering how quickly it happens. Coffee suddenly tastes bland without cake. I normally see eclairs and muffins as nasty processed gut-botherers but since a close working relationship with the patisserie in France, I crave them and they call to me from every coffee shop, biscuit tin and menu.
When I start waking up craving something sweet, I know it's time to have a word. My waistline and my wallet will thank me for it - not to mention my skin, mood, energy etc etc
I have also been inspired anew by my friend H who, after having 2 small kids underwent the inevitable body-battering, has taken charge of her health, her food, her body and now looks radiant, glowing and seems to stand a foot taller. I want me some of that! She can be credited for this challenge.
I did begin this challenge a few weeks ago only to be seduced by mini chocolate donuts (out for dinner - defences down due to tough day + wine) and then, whilst staying a few nights at my sister-in-laws, a box of mini Cadbury Eggs just sitting there (loudly) on the kitchen bench. One of those fundraising boxes that people take into work to raise money for their kids' school. The kind of box that if you eat, one, two or even three mini eggs rolling loosely round the box that nobody will notice. Once the no-sugar seal was broken, I caved completely for salted caramel chocolate. Mmmmmmm. I mean.......uggghhhhh!
So, I'm back on the challenge, starting a new 5 weeks off the sugar. Finding it tough so far (day 4), my mouth is itching and salivating for sweetness but I'm determined. I know that I will feel cleaner, better and lighter when I am no longer craving and addicted to the stuff.
Findings:
Oh yeah! Done! 5 weeks off the sweet stuff. It feels good. I have to tell you, to start with I had some serious "my mouth is salivating" CRAVINGS. I've lost count of how many vacant trips to the kitchen I have done in the last 5 weeks moving from the pantry cupboard to the fridge, to the pantry to the fridge, to the fruit bowl to the fridge, searching for something, anything that will satisfy the craving for mindless sweet indulgence. My desire for something sweet has at times seemed insatiable both mentally and physically. My taste buds have yearned and my brain has demanded reward and comfort.
But I've stuck to my game plan and the discipline and self-control feels empowering. I feel proud of myself for exercising restraint.
Apart from a self-satisfied glow, I actually have noticed some tangible upsides too:
- I've slept better (wasn't expecting that)
- I've felt less irritable
- my eyes have been far less puffy when I wake up every morning (and with two kids under 3, there's a lot of puffy-eye-potential trust me - any improvements welcomed)
- the whites of my eyes are whiter (?!)
- I am less bloated and gassy
- my waistline feels trimmer
- I've saved money (let's say $4 per day on a treat x 7 days x 5 weeks = $140 = a nice present to myself I reckon)
- My skin appears much clearer
- I no longer feel ADDICTED. I'm not fighting cravings and feeling bad about scoffing treats uncontrollably.
- I've improved my repertoire of sugar-free treats! And thank the lord for them..........my saviours. See here
Now for the rating for this challenge....
Not an easy one to stick to (see disclaimer below) but well worth it I would say. I don't really eat much processed food anyway so the real benefit for me was cutting out the sweet treats/ cakes/ pastries etc. If you are a fan of sauces, mainstream bread, cereals, flavoured yogurts and packaged food, giving up sugar would possibly be a little tougher but undoubtedly more beneficial & the upsides more noticeable. With everything I've read and watched on this topic, I'd say that reducing our sugar consumption should be something for all of us to consider. Take the time to educate yourself.
ZEN-giving-properties = 8 out of 10
Ok so here's my disclaimer:
I had one and a half wobbles I feel ought to be noted. Firstly, on a Sunday mum-and-son trip out, I took my 2.5 year old boy to a frozen yogurt place for a treat. This rather funky establishment had those "beer tap" like dispensers of all flavours of yogurt where you can serve yourself. Exciting! Dangerous........oops, careful darling that's a bit, oh dear, oh good lord........really, one small serving cup now overflowing with salted caramel and chocolate orange yogurt. I mean, I really couldn't let him eat it all and it cost a bloody fortune so I couldn't chuck it.Imagine the tantrum if I chucked it half eaten? So I had a quick chat with my sugar-challenge-self and agreed that under the circumstances, it was acceptable to indulge. So I did. It was nice but did taste very sweet and artificial following several weeks of abstinence. We were both bouncing off the walls for some time afterwards and then slumped about on the sofa watching a movie for the rest of the afternoon. Second wobble is a bit too lame to mention but I tested some chocolate fudge I made for a friend and that had honey in it. Apart from that I've been clean and sugar free for 5 weeks.