My brother Chris has a good friend who is now a friend of all of our family. JG has been through a lot and had a lot of problems, but he has conquered a lot and I am very proud of him. Even during difficult times, he made us laugh a lot. He lived at my parents home for awhile and there we have several sayings that he originated which still make us laugh decades later (for those of you who know, think things like "old head ache", "my area" and the title of this post). For better or worse, JG spent time in and out of the clink. I remember feeling very sad if I was ever one to answer a call from him from the "inside". He one time said, about not liking to be in jail, followed by one of his classic laughs, "Freedom is killer."
Well, that was a nice little memory of JG, but this post is really about sugar. On July 23rd I decided that I was sick of sugar having any power over me.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that sugar in and of itself is evil or that anybody else is evil for eating it. But for me, I felt that I was addicted. It was hard for a day to go by with out me having some kind of sugary treat. Despite knowing that sugar:
- Depresses your immune system
- Elevates triglyceride levels
- Interferes with your body’s natural chemistry
- Raises your insulin level
- Promotes obesity
- Can contribute to depression
- Increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol
- May lead to chromium and copper deficiencies
- Raises adrenaline levels
- Promotes tooth decay
Anyway, I felt the spirit whispering to me that I needed to take control of my life...so I did. I have refused to obsess about it. I have lost 22 pounds and am grateful for that because I needed to lose that (and more) to be healthy. But I am not focusing on the weight loss or my appearance, rather am trying to focus on the spiritual benefits of not having physical things bind me down in any way.
The first few weeks were rough. But when I thought about wanting something and resisted, I would think about when you are running or lifting weights and push yourself hard, knowing you are getting stronger. I would flex my will-power/spiritual muscles and get through it.
I believe in moderation in all things. I have decided that Sunday is the day I will allow myself a sweet if I want one. Also, holidays have fun traditions involving sweets (birthday cakes, Thanksgiving pie, etc) so I will partake if I feel like it.
I now very rarely have any cravings for sweets and when I did make brownies for the kids on Sunday and had a small one, it made me totally nauseated (although it tasted great going down). I am feeling stronger and more confident and I know that it is because I have conquered something difficult and freed myself from something that had a strong hold on me. And I'll tell you, JG is right, freedom IS killer.
8 comments:
And since I've already congratulated you on all of this amazingness, I will instead comment this: "have you ever ridden the water slides at night? It's totally killer." -- what a boy said to me at Wild Waters as I waited behind him to get on a slide. I was only like 13 and, well, it made me very nervous. . . . i never did find out how killer that would be either.
Way to go! You are my inspiration, I am addicted too. I have always thought that sugar is Mormon crack. I think I need to follow your example and cut it out of my life too. Will you move in and be my life coach?
You are a hero among us. I don't know many that aren't addicted to sweets, chocolate being at the top of the list for me. I know that I am addicted because I am constantly thinking about what little treat I can shove into my mouth next, for instant pleasure. It's horrible! I too might have to gain some control in my sugar infested life.
way to go!! i think i need to follow your lead! and if you're moving in to be emily's life coach, will you come be mine when you're done?! :)
You are so right about that sugar thing! I was a once confessed sugar-holic and that sweet hold can take over easily if I let it. You forgot to mention that sugar ages you faster because it weakens the elasticity in your skin. That's enough motivation for my vain self right there!
IF you feel you need a sweet treat, try a little spoonful of raw honey. It has so many live enzymes and great qualities to it and it helps with your digestive tract. I just discovered it myself and I'm not really a honey kind of gal.
Oh, you WON the give away over at my blog. Please email me your address and what you'd like a print of. I know you mentioned something custom...
Deborah
damori@cox.net
Well I was getting all "bla bla bla" everytime evryone was emailing about no sugar. But just this last week i have been really aware of my sugar intake and how I feel lately. I think I am joining the sugarfree girls. How crazy is that. I actually want to do this, instaed of "should" do it. So here goes.
Good for you. I lost 15 when I really concentrated on my sugar intake. It is so bad...how come it tastes so good?
I can never answer the WofW question with a "yes" until I cure myself of the abnormal sugar intake.
Why does every event, dinner, social have to involve that stuff? We need to change our culture for sure.
I will be better, you have inspired me.
I've been off sugar since the middle of August and I couldn't agree more.
I do like my coffee a little sweet, so I use Stevia. This particular brand is really really good - no anise after taste. I use it to make custards, lemon sodas, and to sweeten rhubarb or cranberry compotes.
I especially like that my energy levels are really stable now. I don't get ups and downs during the day depending on what I've eaten and I sleep incredibly well at night. Oh, and my head continues to fill in with fine white fuzz, so I must be doing something right!
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