Motivation to get off the sugar merry-go-round

July 26, 2019

I have not sat down and planned out an organized list of blog posts on this topic of giving up sugar. I am just winging it here, and posting as things come to mind and as I'm working through them. And please remember,  do your own research. I'm not an expert at any of this, just a fellow traveler trying to seek a better way.

This grapefruit sparkling water is so good, especially served with a couple of wedges of lime in a pretty pink glass. A friend gifted me a set of four of these glasses and it just elevates the experience! You have to find fun ways to be healthy.
I've been thinking a lot about how to make this commitment to a sugar-free life permanent. Worried that I'm setting myself up for failure. Worried that once I lose the weight (6 pounds down, 34 to go!), I will slip into old habits. That I'm being unrealistic in my goals and "should" learn moderation.

But, no, no, no!! I have to remind myself that moderation never worked with alcohol. I tried moderation for 20 years. Finally giving alcohol up for good lifted a huge burden. It was freeing. Such a good feeling not to be trapped by an addiction.

I keep drawing the parallels here with sugar. I have been trying also for more than 20 years to get my weight under control. Losing and gaining. Feeling shame and guilt. Beating up on myself. Letting the number on the scale determine whether I was going to feel good about myself that day. Constant internal battles over whether to have that cookie or not.

Someone once said you will find the courage to change once the pain of remaining the same becomes too great.

I am really starting to feel that a life without sugar is preferable to my current life.

Can any of you relate to the following scenario?

You wake up in the morning, determined to start the new diet. Then you remember that there is some leftover pie in the kitchen. It sure would taste good with a cup of coffee. And it would be wasteful to throw it out, right? Just enjoy it, and then eat healthy the rest of the day. So you have it for breakfast, but by 1030 a.m. you're hungry. You tell yourself that this is the price you have to pay, you were a bad person, now you have to deal with the consequences. At lunch time you have a healthy lunch. You even manage to eat well at dinner. Then your book club comes over. Everyone brings snacks and you yourself have laid out some snacks, maybe even something healthy like vegetables and dip or cheese and crackers. You tell yourself to only have tea, no snacks. Everyone goes home and you're cleaning up at 1030. You had dinner early and now you're hungry. Those snacks sure look inviting. So you start nibbling on them and pretty soon you've had a piece of cake, some pretzels, a couple pieces of candy, and even finished up the cheese ball. You are disgusted with yourself for your lack of self-control. You wake up the next morning, a pound up, and feel shame and guilt. You give yourself a stern lecture, decide there's no more fooling around. Today's the day, no ifs, ands, or buts. You crack the whip and buckle down.

Until the next time. And then the cycle continues all over, leaving you feeling defeated and shamed and embarrassed and guilty.

Wow. In black and white it all looks pretty painful. Do I really want to live like this?

If I acknowledge that, for me, moderation doesn't work, why wouldn't I want to just get off this merry-go-round all together?

Why would I continue to treat myself so poorly? The lectures, the stern talkings-to, the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment. Why? I wouldn't treat an enemy like this.

Imagine a world where I can just set all of this aside. Where I can walk away completely. Where I am no longer arguing with myself or debating whether to have that piece of pie or that scone. Where I don't feel I have to have it in order to "celebrate" some occasion. Where I've set down that burden and am walking in the freedom of health and well-being and self-respect?

Sounds good to me. Sounds better than a few cookies, for sure.

{This article reinforces my thoughts about how addictive sugar is.}

9 comments

  1. I can certainly identify with what you've said here. I was that way for many years. I'm sorry to say I have had to "walk away completely," as a year ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I basically have not had a drop of sugar since. Sixty pounds fell off almost without trying. I think the diabetes meds may have helped some but I think it was very low carbs and no sugar that did the most. I have learned that you can lose your taste for sweetness to a certain extent. In recent months I have enjoyed learning new ways to cook and and some new desserts with almond flour and stevia, but I don't make them often. It's been fun to try new recipes, and my husband has been so encouraging. I think a lot of it has been God's grace to me as well. I even have been able to make sugar desserts for company and just enjoy coffee (with stevia) as they eat their dessert. It's been an interesting journey, and I don't wish this answer to the sugar addiction on anyone, but I hope you find a way. I certainly feel better without eating sugar.

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  2. This is accurate.
    Sugar is an addiction. I think they've pretty much proved that. Also, when you've been OFF of sugar a while, it doesn't taste as good. I found this to be true about drinking sodas. I imagine you'll find it true about sweets and desserts also. It's harder to resist those sweet snacks when you're having them nearly every day, and your body is used to the "hit" and really wants it. I DO think it becomes easier when you've gotten it out of your system, your body doesn't crave it anymore, and you've TRULY grown to enjoy other taste -- salty things, your sparkling water, the crunch of veggies, baked fruits, popcorn. You can't strip all the 'joy' out of eating; you must replace one thing you loved with another. That sparkling grapefruit water does look yummy!

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  3. Sister-You hit the nail on the head. I took sugar out of my diet for 5 years-not even a slip---and lost about 40 pounds---and then~~~~ a chocolate chip cookie baked by my daughter'Just for you, Mom' did me in. I have been on the sugar merry-go-round ever since and I really need to give it up completely. I KNOW that I am an addict when it comes to sugar. I just am. Thanks for sharing this here. It is wonderful to know that someone else shares the feelings of shame and embarrassment, etc. that goes along with overeating and beating oneself up. Thank you. I need to get off the sugar wagon again, too. This gives me so much encouragement. xo Diana

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  4. Well done you, you have made a great start and lost weight already well done. The grapefruit drink looks so good and even better in such a pretty glass.

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  5. Losing the weight is such a motivator, Deborah. You’ll be so encouraged as the weight keeps dropping. Best of luck to you!

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  6. Stay strong Deborah...I so admire your determination. The grapefruit drink looks so delicious and refreshing in those pink glasses especially! Keep up the good work.

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  7. I think for me it is breads and crackers, And I also tell myself okay only a slice of bread today and by evening it's been at least a few more! As you know I do not need to lose weight I need a few pounds, see its different for each of us! But I love you friend and I think you are very brave and smart! You will do your very best and no condemnation ever...

    Hugs, Roxy

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  8. Amen, and amen, sweet sister! (No pun intended! Get it, SWEET sister? LOL!) Seriously, I totally get every, single thing you have said here. We have to keep reminding ourselves that NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS! I'm with you all the way and praying!

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  9. I'm confident that you have the discipline to stick with this new lifestyle!

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