My No Candy Bar Challenge Update

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Day 4 - I have not yet had a candy bar. As a matter of fact, I have not had any candy at all. You see, I mention this because the thought did cross my mind that Skittles are not a candy bar.

I have realized that I have not been taking my eating too much sugar as serious as I ought to. It is time for my reality check - to eat something that has had all the nutrients and fiber stripped from it cannot be good for my body. I am hopeful that focusing on my challenge of no candy bars will spill over to eating less sugar overall.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIV2RIDE 8/9/2011 6:18AM

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KELLEEH 8/7/2011 1:23PM

Love it! You are doing great! and LOL at the Skittles. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

GSWINNIE 8/7/2011 10:54AM

That's awesome. You know, after a week or so you won't even want them. You are doing so great! keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

I am Hanging in There

Thursday, August 04, 2011

I had a busy day yesterday and had to drive to town for some appointments. This does not sound like a big deal, but getting in the car seems to be a trigger for my husband and I. I was pressed for time and did not have time to eat as well as I should have. But before we left, I took the time to make a green smoothie - spinach, banana and papaya. (So at least I got some nutrients)

I went for a 5k run before we left and when we got to town, I noticed my muscles were a bit sore - must not have gotten enough protein in that smoothie. We stopped at a Taco John's near the place we had an appointment. I opted for the refried beans with no sauce or cheese. It was tasty. My comment was that those beans were really good or else I was truly hungry. The soreness went away after that (Note to self: feed my body after a workout)

The appointments were finished and Hubby said he wanted a hamburger from Hardees. My daughter and niece went to Taco Johns. I was not too tempted because, to be honest, it just did not look very good. I did not really miss not getting anything from the fast food places. When they started eating there was this horrible smell in the car; it smelt like grease, onions and artificial food.

I have to admit that I was getting hungry. I need to put some gas in the car, so at the gas station when I saw the fruit display I decided to buy 2 apples (one for the ride home and one for later) 2 for $1.00. Who says it is too expensive to eat healthy?

It was easy to pass by those candy bars while holding to apples in my hand. It is all about choices. I made some good choices throughout the day, but then lossed it in the evening when I discovered 2 peanut buster bars in the freezer. Needless to say, they are no longer there.

Today is a new day with new choices to make.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIV2RIDE 8/4/2011 8:40PM

celebrate the good choices you made and don't focus on the other. You did a great job with not caving to the fast food. I know what you mean about the smell though. I hate when people eat fast food around me. It just stinks! Report Inappropriate Comment

KELLEEH 8/4/2011 4:19PM

Wow, great job on your healthy choices! Sounds like you had a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 8/4/2011 2:50PM

Your description of the smells in your car took me right into the car with you. You are right. That food smells unhealthy. Great choices for nourishing yourself. Good job. Keep it up! -Nancy Positive Bloggers Team Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSLADY09 8/4/2011 2:20PM

Keep fighting... great choices while out and about! Report Inappropriate Comment

HOPESPRINGS22 8/4/2011 12:11PM

Yea for making good choices. It can be so to do when others around you are not but so worth it to stay on track. Report Inappropriate Comment

Time to get serious

Monday, August 01, 2011

MY daughter and son in law have been trying to quit smoking and so I said that if they quit smoking I'll stop eating candy bars. My SIL told me I had to pick something easier. HA! if he only knew, I think we are on even playing levels here.

Yesterday was day 1 for me and I successfully said no thank you when my other daughter bought me some Junior Mints - and GUESS WHAT?! I am alive and well today. Oh, who would have thought I'd survive not eating candy for a day.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUGE300000 8/4/2011 9:47PM

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DDESERTDDAWN 8/3/2011 2:00AM

Ahhh survival is possible, eh? Wow! It is amazing and freeing. congrats, dDawn Report Inappropriate Comment

LIV2RIDE 8/2/2011 9:44AM

I quit smoking in 2007. I used a number of different things to help me through. Whenever I wanted a smoke I would drink a glass of water or go for a walk. It got me to drink A LOT of water and exercise A LOT. Instead of gaining weight when I quit I actually lost. Find something healthy to replace your "need" for candy bars. When you want one drink a glass of water, do 10 push-ups, run around the block...something that is healthy instead of food. Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 8/1/2011 7:30AM

It's a win-win for both of you! Report Inappropriate Comment

DR1939 8/1/2011 7:10AM

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Am I a Sugar Addict?

Saturday, July 30, 2011

I often wonder if I am I am addicted to sugar. According to dictionaryreference.com an addiction is defined as:

"the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. "

Too be honest, according to this definition I do not think I have an addiction to sugar, but I do have a strong preference for it. I do know that every time I eat a sugar laden treat I ALWAYS think about it first. I often have a dialogue going in my head, "Should I or shouldn't I?" Do I really want to eat this?" "Remember the last time I had it, it did not taste as good as you remember." "Read the label." and on and on.

There are times I'll purchase it and times I won't. But it is always based upon a CHOICE that I made. So, I guess I can say that I am not enslaved to my sugar eating at this point in time.

I exercise often and try to eat foods as close to the natural state as possible. Other than the junk foods I eat minimally processed foods. So, why can't I choose to stop eating those candy bars, chips and ice cream?

That is a question that has been haunting me these past 4 years. When I went to school a couple years ago a classmate (one who I thought never paid attention to me or what I did) commented on how I eat too much sugar. My mom, who knows I want to eat well, will ask me if I read the label when I am eating junk. Then the other day, my granddaughter asked my why I always eat more than one serving of ice cream.

I know I eat too much sugary products and should either cut way back or stop altogether, but I seem to not be totally committed to doing so. There is a quotation that says, "Failure to plan is planning to fail."

This rings true in my situation. I do not plan for those times when that dialogue will go on in my head. I need to prepare ahead of time so that I can walk away from a temptation and turn off the dialogue that goes on in my head as I stand in front of that junk food display.

I need to get it into my head that by not eating that junk the only thing I'll be missing is the ill effects that it will have on my body and turn it into a positive - I'll feel better if I do not eat it.

So, in conclusion, I do not think I am a sugar addict, but I make a lot of poor choices when it comes to eating, especially when I am doing errands, due to lack of planning.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JITZUROE 8/7/2011 10:11AM

Hey you! I really liked this. A lot of it rang true. That quote about failing to plan is spot on for me. I remember a few days recently where I was at that Walgreens in the candy aisle, and I had two very conflicting emotions going on. I had been good with healthy unprocessed food 6 days at that point, and I REALLY wanted to keep it up, but I found myself grabbing a jar of nutella and a jar of PB + a huge king size bag of lemonheads (!!!) and hearing some voice in my head telling me that my goals were nice, but come on, this was something I did all the time, so why would I think I could just knock it off? It was surreal! I still fight that all the time it seems, but my body is happy for my good choices most of the time. : ) Bren Report Inappropriate Comment

LIV2RIDE 8/2/2011 9:41AM

I read a blog of a fellow Sparker the other day that really rings true. Tell yourself NO! Just like a spoiled kid who wants what they want when they want it. Tell yourself NO! Just like you would your own child who is demanding a sugar laden treat. Tell yourself NO! Report Inappropriate Comment

KELLEEH 7/31/2011 10:49AM

Hmmm.. this sounds pretty familiar. I have cut down on the amount of sugar I eat, but I haven't cut it out. I don't really want to, but sometimes I think I should. Good luck to you! If you do decide to go cold turkey for a while, let us know how it goes! Report Inappropriate Comment

HASELNUSSCHEN 7/31/2011 12:32AM

Maybe you're not addicted to it, where if it was a choice between saving your child and getting a Snickers bar, you'd pick the candy. BUT you probably just have really good associations with it. Like childhood memories of having candy during happy times, etc. I know I usually eat junk food when I'm in a weak or sad state of mind. I don't think I'm addicted, but it is something I turn to when I want to feel immediately better. But I'd try what Jenn says, give it up for a few days and see if you get withdrawel symptoms. If anything, it will make you a little stronger so that if you do decide to give it up, you'll have more discipline. good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

JENNSWIMS 7/30/2011 2:29PM

I know I was addicted to sugar, or at least the processed foods that it comes in, because I had withdrawal that was just as bad as when I quit nicotine when I started the Eat to Live plan. You won't know if you are a sugar addict until you go cold turkey for a week, IMHO. Once I went cold turkey I was free of cravings for pretty much everything once I was at the end of week 2. Your mileage may vary. Hope this helps! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEACHERWANDA 7/30/2011 11:41AM

I know I am addicted to fat, sugar and salt. You might find the research by David Kessler interesting. http://www.wash ingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/a rticle/2009/04/26/AR20090426027 11.html Knowledge is power. You don't have to be a slave to your addictions. Report Inappropriate Comment

Did I fail?

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

NO! 'nuff said.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIV2RIDE 7/28/2011 9:20AM

Good for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILD4STARS 7/28/2011 4:39AM

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55WALKER 7/27/2011 5:41PM

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WATERDIAMONDS 7/27/2011 11:34AM

GREAT job. Report Inappropriate Comment

CASSIOEPIA 7/27/2011 10:17AM

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JILLTBNAGART 7/27/2011 10:03AM

Good for you! Stay positive! Report Inappropriate Comment