Sugar is not your friend part 2

Truly we don't have many sweets. What little we buy is on payday, every two weeks, and we make it last. A brownie mix here, cake mix there, ice cream here-- we did lots of baking, though, two days ago for basketball playoff concession stand sales.

I'll get 'er back under control. Had a good day today. Detox is grand.

I have no doubt that you will! You haven't worked as hard as you have for nothing. How's the running?

sporadic, but not bad. I ran tonight for 3 miles, and 2-3 days ago for 3 miles. Snow put a crimp in things, but I didn't mind the time off. Foot is feeling okay-- just the usual arthritis crap.

I'll be rarin' to go when spring time hits.

you're a sweetie to ask-- (pun intended-- ha)

Today is my first day on this site! My biggest struggle with sweets happens when I'm at work! The fallowing is a list I've complied to help me stay away from the "food table" I hope you all find this helpful!

1. Keep from eating out of boredom - Keep asking yourself "am I hungry"? If that doesn't work try keeping busy with something else, try writing, Mints like tictacs or gum also help.

2. Keep a stash of healthy snacks in your desk- (I've been making my own trail mix of dried fruits, & nuts)

3. Brush your teeth after lunch.

4. Do not make a big deal or announce your plan to avoid/limit junk food. You will be setting yourself up for peer pressure, office jokes and endless monitoring by your coworkers of what you eat. You are doing this for YOU.

5. Make Friends-You probably aren’t the only one who wants to avoid eating a bunch of junk at work. Figure out who’s in it with you and create a Survivor style pact. (I don't see this working for me. The folks in my office don't resist temptation well and are quite welcoming and all contributors to the "food table". I may be a little bitter about it.)

6. Write down your junk food intake each day and the reason why you felt compelled to eat it. Sometimes it is as simple as the person who brought the cake is an excellent baker and you knew it would be wonderful! Other times, and most often, it will be stress, boredom or peer pressure. Now you have to figure out how to handle these differently. (I plan to document what I eat in an entire day. Thank you mfp! I think it will help to give reasoning for the sweets.)

7. Eat Breakfast - (I'm already doing this! I like to heat some quick oatmeal, make my own "fruit and yogurt parfait" like the ones at McDonald's, I even bring my own granola to add. I also toast english muffins and add a little jam. I have lots of healthy breakfast ideas!)

8. If You Must - (Sometimes I definitely MUST) Limit yourself only to homemade treats. This way if someone brings in cookies they made with their grandchildren you won’t offend them by not partaking. Always say no to all company wrapped, factory produced sugar foods.

9. Take Action - Nothing is going to happen if you don’t actually do something about getting healthier.

10. Most importantly: don't beat yourself up if you had a bad day and ate a lot more junk food then you anticipated. It is "progress, not perfection" that should be your goal. (I love rules like this! Hey, I'm not perfect!)

I feel better already. More to come!

Thank you to these websites, I really appreciate your advise : http://www.ehow.com/how_2227395_avoid-junk-food-work.html, http://www.vanadia.com/stopbeingsweet/comments/10_tips_for_avoiding_sugar_at_the_office/

8. If You Must - (Sometimes I definitely MUST) Limit yourself only to homemade treats. This way if someone brings in cookies they made with their grandchildren you won’t offend them by not partaking. Always say no to all company wrapped, factory produced sugar foods.

This one is ingenious. I like it. Do you have any idea how many problems that would solve??? For if/when we do bake around here, for such a large family, there is noooooo way to overindulge. Hmmmmmmm-- interesting.

For now, though, I shall continue on my abstainence. Waiting for the sugar withdrawal headache to dissipate. Yowsa.

Coming back on the wagon with you fine ladies.

My throat is mostly better, the rest is getting better, and there are (and will be) no more popsicles.

Days without sugar: 0. Goal: to make it to March 15th without any refined sugar.

Stay strong, my sisters.

Weekend = bad with children's birthday and their cake - oh, that sugary icing was so darned good! I forgot to send it off to the office with my husband this morning, so I'm trying to avoid all temptation today.

I'm having a hard time eliminating sweetener for my coffee. I don't like the taste of cane sugar, or brown sugar in my coffee - I love equal, and can't use Splenda (gives me cramps and makes me bloat). My dad uses Stevia (he's diabetic) but I've tried it and have trouble getting the exact measure for the desired sweetness.

Brenda - I allow my 1 sweetener in my morning coffee, and the sugar that are in Kashi bars, and fruits. It's hard to control eating fruits. I'll likely have to cut some fruits out of my diet that have a high glycemic index. I really don't have a big problem with this because I don't have a sweet tooth. My BIGGEST hurdle will be to abstain from wine. I love a glass of wine while preparing dinner, a glass with dinner, and a glass after dinner :laugh: :drinker: Especially after dinner - seems like the only thing which stops me from evening snacking.

Ladies, do you know how long it's been since I've gone 16 days without sweets?

Thumbs up! You're a very strong girl - remember this everytime you set your mind to something .

I'm having a hard time eliminating sweetener for my coffee.

Have you tried milk?

I should've been a little clearer - I drink espresso in the morning and yes - I put a dollop of steamed froth on top (espresso macchiato) - I really need equal just to cut the bitterness.

When I quit putting sugar in my coffee I had to wean myself off. Cutting it down slowly until I didn't miss it. Now I like coffee (even espresso) with no sugar, which I never thought possible. Just to put it in perspective, seven years ago I took my coffee with three heaping tablespoons of sugar (which I can't even imagine anymore.):sick:

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to say that PMS is also not my friend...what gives with the carb/sugar cravings at that time? I've been drinking water and trying to distract myself. I took a bubble bath rather than listen to those evil hormonal voices. I think the hormones and the withdrawal are ganging up on me a bit. Boo to them. I am stronger than them.

Days without sugar: 1.
Sugar free indulgence of the day: bubble bath.

How wonderful to see others go off all kinds of sugar, it certainly is a drug for most of us, especially myself, I also went of flour of any kind, that leaves all kinds of vegetables, and a little fruit. I am a diabetic at 69 years old, and have been for 15 years, yet I want to keep my feet and legs for walking.

Welcome aboard, Kimberly.
__

Ladies, do you know how long it's been since I've gone 16 days without sweets? I'd say years...and years, and years. Quitting hasn't been easy, but it certainly is easier than trying to eat it in moderation...for now anyway.

For those trying to quit rather than limit, what exceptions do you allow yourselves?

Brenda, now I see it's up to 19 days. Great job. Set a goal, make it work.

And I agree, that going completely off sugar for several months is what finally broke the habit for me. Through that time (about four months I think) I still ate fruit and dairy, I think it's necessary for the fiber, nutrients, and sheer enjoyment. But no bananas or pears or dried fruit during that time - too close to sugar. Occasionally I had some cocoa powder in milk heated, but adding no sugar. It is still very sweet if made with milk.

In that time I just had to say "no" to myself and prove to myself I could do it. Like anything, no matter how hard it is, once you do it you have chalked up the victory. Now I can stay away from all my old "friends" (sweet stuff favorites) and I have all the willpower stored away for when I really need it.

Today, a year after that challenge, I allow myself dairy and fruit - still no bananas or pears and I've managed to wean myself from dried fruit through the last month: it had made its way in again. BUT the difference is that I now have the very occasional sugary thing. Like once a week. And just the one serving, not eight.I also allow holidays off. Just the day (not all of the holidays, but a few). It doesn't lead to bingeing (binging?) so I feel good about that. But I don't think I will ever be able to have sweets in the house, unless it is a single serving size.

I think it's bingeing-- ha. Binging, I'm guessing would be like singing or ringing, if it were a word, which it isn't-- I don't think.

It's been going very well. The grip has lessened, even with the indulgence of yesterday after Sarah's Peeps meeting. It was a fun family time with the bounty all over our table. But, I kept it in perspective, logged it, and it didn't lead me down the sugary path today. Yeeehaaaaa.

So, bottom line, if I'm getting the condensed version. HCFS sucks, but is really no worse for you than table sugar?

Did I get it?