21 days to break a habit
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anne2605
Posts: 482 Member
I had to join this group and offer inspiration and hope that you can break the sugar habit, I did.
On 1 Jan 2013 I decided I wanted to stop taking sugar in my tea after doing so for 40+ years. It was my New Year Revolution. I decided to choose something I knew was doable. About 4 years ago, I dropped from taking 2 sugars to 1 and succeeded, so I was encouraged by this success to try and stop altogether. It wasn't easy, as a true blue Brit I love my tea. I'd drink probably between 8 and 10 mugs per day, each with 1 heaped teaspoon of sugar. That was 12 weeks or 84 days ago.
In addition to stopping sugar in my tea, I decided to stop eating chocolate, altogether. I know it's not necessary to deny oneself of chocolate completely but for me (previously referred to myself a chocoholic) I knew I had to, certainly for at least 21 day, which I read is the length of time it takes to break any habit. As each day turned into weeks, I craved chocolate and/or sweet stuff less. My taste buds began to appreciate the natural sweetness of fruit and veg. For example, I had not appreciated just how sweet red bell peppers were until now.
I know I've succeeded in breaking the sweet craving habit and I can now take a whole bar of chocolate, break off 1 square, eat it and walk away from the rest of the bar. When standing at a bakery counter full of delicious goodies and I say NO thank you to the offer of a cake/pastry, boy do I feel smug. It's just so liberating and I'm encouraged to say NO more and more to other sweet things as I want to experience that smug feeling further.
To achieve success, two characteristic you'll need in abundance are WILLPOWER and SELF CONTROL. Make these your best friend for 21 days and you'll be a winner.
Cheers,
Anne
On 1 Jan 2013 I decided I wanted to stop taking sugar in my tea after doing so for 40+ years. It was my New Year Revolution. I decided to choose something I knew was doable. About 4 years ago, I dropped from taking 2 sugars to 1 and succeeded, so I was encouraged by this success to try and stop altogether. It wasn't easy, as a true blue Brit I love my tea. I'd drink probably between 8 and 10 mugs per day, each with 1 heaped teaspoon of sugar. That was 12 weeks or 84 days ago.
In addition to stopping sugar in my tea, I decided to stop eating chocolate, altogether. I know it's not necessary to deny oneself of chocolate completely but for me (previously referred to myself a chocoholic) I knew I had to, certainly for at least 21 day, which I read is the length of time it takes to break any habit. As each day turned into weeks, I craved chocolate and/or sweet stuff less. My taste buds began to appreciate the natural sweetness of fruit and veg. For example, I had not appreciated just how sweet red bell peppers were until now.
I know I've succeeded in breaking the sweet craving habit and I can now take a whole bar of chocolate, break off 1 square, eat it and walk away from the rest of the bar. When standing at a bakery counter full of delicious goodies and I say NO thank you to the offer of a cake/pastry, boy do I feel smug. It's just so liberating and I'm encouraged to say NO more and more to other sweet things as I want to experience that smug feeling further.
To achieve success, two characteristic you'll need in abundance are WILLPOWER and SELF CONTROL. Make these your best friend for 21 days and you'll be a winner.
Cheers,
Anne
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Replies
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WOW! Thanks Anne! Love it! That is so inpsirational! Have you noticed any changes in your sleep or energy after ditching the sugar in your tea and chocolate?0
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Thanks lkgarza, I was hoping my story would offer inspiration. I haven't noticed any change in my sleep patterns. I've always managed on average 8hrs sleep per night, that hasn't changed. As for energy, it has increased but I believe that's more to do with increasing my fitness level. I graduated from the Couch25K running programme on 3/15th, running 3 x per week and I've not felt overly tired at the end of the day. Hope that answers your questions.
Cheers,
Anne0
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