It’s Hard to Cut Out Sugar–It’s Everywhere!

Cindy and I continue to be amazed at how many different items sugar is in. It is sneaky.

Cindy has gotten annoyed when people dismiss her efforts. She explains that in order to take her vitamins she uses diet coke. (She has ALWAYS had trouble taking pills, ever since we were little girls–I remember this well!) And of course, there is the soy milk. People then say, with a self-satisfied air, “Well then you aren’t really going without sugar!” RAGE! Cindy wonders if these food police realize how hard it is to avoid sugar! As Cindy says, “It’s everywhere!”

She also would like a medal for a couple recent victories :

1) She did not have any chocolate while PMSing!!!!!!!!!

2) When pressured to order dessert recently to “split” with her dinner companions, she ordered dessert, (to shut them up), and DID NOT eat it! Hurray! Battles won–I think she does deserve a medal! Or even two!

I, however, have given up. I am not overdoing any sugary foods but I admit defeat. I will continue to eat a sensible diet, which I normally do, and let myself have some treats now and then.

This is what I advise my clients, after all. All in moderation.

But, I am totally behind Cindy in her efforts and I think she will feel better and have more energy. Also, I am going to continue to write about her, because I find her entertaining. You go girl!

Take Responsibility for Your Health

Today I feel like ranting a little. I am so tired of the refusal to take responsibility. This trend can be seen in many areas in society, but I notice it, of course, in the areas of health.

Why won’t people realize that they make the choices? We all decide, each day, to eat the right amount, or too much. Each person decides, each day, to get some healthy movement in their life, or sit on their butts. This would be fine if that affected no one but themselves. But that is not what happens.

When someone does not take care of their health, someone else has to pick up the slack. This is reflected in rising health care costs, family stress, and lack of ability to help others that need help.

We are all connected. What one person decides to do or not do, does affect all of us. That’s just how it is.

What to Use Instead of Sugar When You Crave Sweets

The sugar deprivation continues… 3 WEEKS!

Things I am using to resist cookies, candy, sweets:

Pineapple is an excellent alternative. Bring it home, let it sit on the counter for a day and cut it up. Have it ready in the refrigerator to munch on when that sweet urge hits! It works for me!

Raisins–excellent replacement for candy.

Cinnamon added to foods, seems to help people to avoid adding sugar–to oatmeal for example. (Recommended by a friend who is a diabetic.)

Any fruits, if you can make yourself go to the fridge and get them, will fulfill a sweet urge.

Chocolate is the toughest, maybe especially for women. I have eaten health food bars with chocolate in them to take care of that urge.

Cindy continues to use diet coke to take care of the sweet urge, BUT vows to eliminate this soon!

Two Weeks into the “No Sugar Zone”

Cindy calls this phase, Level 1 and has done remarkably well. I am in awe because she is a sweet lover extreme! She has allowed herself Chocolate Soy milk and vitamin waters. She is working those out a little more gradually, hence, the term Phase 1.

I, however, have faltered. Yesterday, I left a seminar downtown, with a couple cookies and brownies left over from the lunch they served us. I brought them home for my kids, but, being too hungry, I ate a few bites of the brownie! If I had only followed my rule of being prepared at all times with healthy foods! Also, I was tired and that also makes resolve weak. I also feel my body says, ok–you won’t rest—give me something!

I do not think a few bites of brownies is a terrible thing, but this is an experiment, and I am determined to keep giving this a try. I wonder if women have more trouble with this than a man would?

Meet the Authors!

I am actually looking forward to meeting the authors! Next Tuesday, the 17th of June, I will put on a presentation with two other writers at Murrysville Healing Arts. We will talk about our books and leave time for discussion and questions. Then, we will sign books, and refreshments will be served.

I have only met one of the authors, and very briefly at that! Carole J. Obley, is a medium. I watch the show Medium, so I am fascinated that Carole is one. She will be talking about her book, I’m still With You: True Stories of Healing Grief Through Spirit Communication. I am intrigued.

Christine Sumner, a Yoga teacher has written a delightful book, I Can Be: A Child’s Whimsical Introduction to Yoga, and will read it to little ones who come to our talk.

I am looking forward to getting to know both of these women better. I hope a lot of people join us because I think the three of us will entertain and educate in an enjoyable way!

Day 11, One of us made it!

This is Day 11 and I did not think I would be the one to blow it first, but I was.  Yes, the Health Coach caved and ate sugar.  I know I tell my clients that it can be worked into a healthy diet and that there is no food that should be forbidden, but I really wanted to see if a person could go without it.  I want to see if there is a huge difference in how I feel, etc.

Yesterday, we celebrated my son and my nephew’s graduation from high school, and there were many sweets at the party.  I eyed the cake all day and finally gave in.  But, you know what?  It wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.  I have found that to be true about a lot of sweets.  They look better than they actually are.  So, here I am.

Cindy, who has more of a sweet tooth than I, resisted.  I will start over again, because I really want to see if I can do this, and if I feel very different.  I’ll keep you posted!

The Urge for Sugar, Day 7–Sugar Deprivation

Is this a basic human desire? Are we born wanting sweets and the taste of sweet? Or do we develop the craving after we are exposed to it? The natural sweetness of fruit calls us too, but there is something about the processed stuff, the desserts, the candy…

Yesterday, I realized that I have got to come up with more of a plan than just eliminating sugar. Cindy and I discussed the fact that I touched on here the other day–we have to make sure we are eating enough, watching the protein, etc.

We both wanted treats yesterday, but resisted. She says she thinks her employees wish she was eating sugar. Do you think she is cranky? What a strange addiction sugar is…

“Phone Line of Inspiration!”

I hope everyone uses my new “Phone Line of Inspiration.” Each week I will give a new idea or tip for healthier living and you can hear it by calling 1-412-202-9828. You can call 24/7 and hear me giving you an idea or perhaps something to think about related to your fitness and health. It’s fun! Every week, I will change the message and you never know what tidbit you will hear. Here’s to your health!

Sugar Deprivation, Day 6

The habit of eating things with sugar is a a strong one. Watching a movie with my daughter last night, I reached into her bowl of teeny jelly beans, and without a second thought, picked out three green ones and popped them in my mouth! AAAKKKK! I wasn’t supposed to eat that!

Rachel said, “Well, at least you can write about it in your blog!” So much of what we do is habit. Three little jelly beans would not make me gain weight. It would however have an affect on my B vitamins, where I get my energy.

The body reacts more quickly to the presence of sugar than it does to the presence of complex carbohydrates. The increase in energy supplied by the simple carbohydrates, sugars, is quickly followed by fatigue and depression.

In reference to yesterday’s comment of mine about artificial sweeteners, know this: aspartame (found in Nutrasweet, Equal and other products) can possibly block the formation of serotonin (Oh no, the feel good “thing”!)and cause headaches, insomnia, and depression is individuals who are already serotonin deprived. (Very important information if you have any tendencies toward depression.)

Note: Stevia, a concentrated natural sweetener derived from a South American shrub, does not have the same effect on the body as sugar, and does not have the side effects of artificial sugar substitutes. (Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th ed.)

Cindy is hanging in there, slightly cranky that we have made ourselves accountable by the fact that I am blogging about this.   She ran to the computer to tell me today, that she thinks the Zone bars will have to eaten in emergency situations only. I will ask her if that is because it triggers the desire to eat other sweets. I have found that it can happen with some health food bars.  I stay away from the ones that are too much like candy bars.

This is an interesting experiment. If anyone cares to join us, let me know!

Day 5, The No Sugar Journey

Alright, here we are…Day 5.  I have had a lot of questions about this.  Are we eating artificial sweeteners? No.  I never do anyway. Cindy found a wonderful sweetener at Teavana and used it in her tea the other day. German rock cane sugar crystals.

I am finding that I crave carbohydrates. Yesterday I was not paying as much attention to what I was eating, and at the end of the day, I realized I had overloaded on pasta and pretzels. Still got in lots of fruit, though.

Cindy told me that she is realizing that she uses sugar as a crutch.  She needs to watch the protein intake (increase) and make sure she eats enough food.  If we let ourselves get too hungry, we both seem to want the sugar.

So, we need to Pay Attention.  This is an important thing for everyone and I tell my clients this often.  Now I have to make sure I am following my own advice! I do notice I am feeling a little more energetic–look out!