K, first off I must say that while I was doing the whole “3 months without treats” thingy, many people asked me what I was going to do when it was all over.
Was I going to…
- Continue on not eating treats?
- Enjoy one small treat?
- Chow down??
- Start a different goal?
I deliberated over this question many, many, many times! It kind of stressed me out because I really didn’t know what I was going to do.
I really, really love sugar…a little too much. It makes me happy and is so so yummy, BUT it also takes over my life! In all seriousness, it is kind of like a drug. It elevates mood and relieves stress, but it wreaks havoc on the body….and keeps us coming back for more! Sugar addiction is very real and very powerful.
Freaky.
With that being said, I still think my favorite treats can have a (very controlled) place in my life. I can’t imagine life without my favorite “fresh out of the oven” chocolate chip cookies. So, after giving it much thought, here’s what I decided to do!
My challenge ended on July 1st. Sooooo, I decided to give myself the “treat green light” from July 1st-July 4th. I wanted to spread it out over a few days so I didn’t make myself too sick!
On the first day, I just ate some candy I had stashed away. I was so excited to eat a couple Cadbury Cream Eggs I had saved from Easter.
Over the next few days, I made chocolate chip cookies twice and marshmallow brownies once. They are my #1 and #2 favorite treats out there! They tasted so good, but I felt kind of sick after eating them. Blah.
I have to tell you something funny. Several years ago, I was talking to my cousin about how hard it is to eat well and lose weight. We talked about how hard it is to not eat sugar. My cousin said, “I realized I just couldn’t give up the sugar, so I just gave up the food!”
I had to laugh.
However, over the past few days while I’ve been enjoying my treats, I’ve kind of been living my cousin’s diet plan. I felt so sick after eating cookies or brownies that it completely took my appetite away!! I still made myself eat food, of course. In fact, I tried to eat really really well to kind of offset the sugar!
A couple days ago, my sister came over and hung out with me. We made yummy salads for lunch….
And then we made chocolate chip cookies afterward!!
Crazy….but yummy! She and I are like two peas in a pod. We love health and fitness, but we also LOVE sugar! I’m glad we can commiserate with each other about our treat problems. 🙂
Anyway…..now that I’m back ON the wagon, here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to have a “treat day” once a month. I will allow myself to have protein balls or protein shakes with mini chocolate chips and things, but no “real” treats. I think this way I can enjoy my favorite treats, but not let them take over my life!!!
I’m glad I went 3 months without treats because 1 month doesn’t sound too hard. I definitely learned how to resist them and live without them.
So, wish me luck! I will, of course let you know how it goes. 😉
You really are addicted to sugar and treats!! I suppose as long as you stay active, you’re burning it off, but in general, as you put it, sugar “wreaks havoc on the body” in every way. Dr. Oz says… it’s like broken glass going through your arteries.
Since I’m older, and trying to lose weight I watch the sugar content in everything… salt, too… both are bad news for me. I’ve seen protein bars, too… that are just too high in sugar, so I stay away from them. I do like… the GNU bars, the peanut butter, or banana walnut ones… My real treat!! – is the Arctic Zero “whey protein” frozen “ice cream-like” dessert. It tastes so yummy, without all the sin attached to it. I think your body was trying to tell you something… when you got sick from the Marshmellow Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies!! — it was sayin’ – hey!! I like it the healthy way!! Once a month… I suppose is okay – as long as it’s in moderation.
I do love sugar and am happy to have it occasionally! 😉 I do try to be careful with it though. It sounds like you are doing a lot of things right! Good for you!
Did I share with you… my latest favorite smoothie??? It was on Dr. Oz – I had it again this evening – and just LOVE it.
1 cup fresh organic kale (I put in about 2 cups) Remove leaves from stem w/ kale.
1 cup fresh organic spinach (I put in about 2 cups)
1.5 Tablespoons Hemp Seeds
1 Tablespoon Ground Chia (Salba) Seeds
1 small avocado
1 small banana
1 container (about 1.5 cups) Coconut Water
1/2 apple
Add a cup full of ice
Blend it up…….. and it’s deeeelicous. It’s my way of getting in extra greens, esp. Kale, and an avocado. I call it my “salad in a glass” — had it for dinner tonight. YUM, YUM.
What an awesome recipe…so creative! I will have to try that. I’ve been wanting to use hemp seeds too! Thanks for always sharing so many awesome recipes!
You and your sister are still young and SUPER FIT!! Thus can get away with sweets and goodies from time to time. You look fabulous!!
I’ve gradually changed my eating habits away from stuff that puts weight on me… so for me to have sweets – is like saying it’s “okay” for someone who quit smoking to have “one” cigarette, or someone who no longer drinks, to have “one” drink. I just can’t go there… I’ve put it behind me – and don’t want to go back. I remember, years ago… when I first met my husband. He asked me to come over and cook with him. When I saw what he was making, I said, “I can’t eat that…” and then went to the market and got him some REAL food.
I really admire your discipline. Not many people can just go cold turkey off of sweets…forever. That’s awesome. 😉
You have an awesome blog here! I love reading your posts 🙂
Awww, thanks so much!