Last March when Samuel and I gave each other the "sugar challenge" (no sugary treats for a month), we lasted about 2 weeks. And then we ate cake with strawberry topping and ice cream. I wanted to try the challenge again this month, and then I went over to my mom's yesterday (yes, March 1st) and there were cookies baking and that smell in the air and cookie dough just sitting on the counter and I couldn't resist! So, what's my deal? Is it really that I have no willpower?
If I'm really honest with myself, I do want to make some healthy changes in my life. Exercise is #1 on my goal list, and a healthier diet is #2. How do you make yourself do it? Is eliminating sugar for a month truly going to help me reach my goals? (seriously. I'm asking because I don't know).
I like what this blog suggests:
- Reduce dependence on sweets: The average American drinks 96 oz. of soft drinks each week. New goal: one 12-oz drink, or less.
- Eliminate man-made trans fats: Zero deep fat fried foods.
- Take back control of your diet: Write a weekly menu.
- Eat a healthy breakfast: Cereal products must have more natural fiber than added sugar.
- Be muscular: Exercise 30 minutes most days. It’s best if you sweat.
- Return to the plant-based diet of your ancestors: Eat (USDA recommended) five vegetable servings daily.
- Slow aging: Eat a varied diet of whole foods (especially berries) to maximize antioxidant intake and minimize free radical damage.
Our goal is to rediscover the best way to live and be well. We’re not trying to live forever, just more fully.
Thoughts? Feelings? Advice?
4 comments:
as you know, i do not have all the answers. (what? shock?!) but here are a few things i've incorporated into my life that are working:
--breakfast every day. i usually try to work in at least a serving of produce in the morning, too.
--3 veggies before 2pm.
--do not buy treats. when making treats- make with intention to give away half. (i have happy neighbors.)
--no food after girls are in bed.
--must workout for at least 10 minutes every day. no matter what.
--drink three camelbak waterbottles every day.
--weekly menus. not just dinner, but breakfast & lunch ideas, too. it's a lifesaver. i'm more than willing to help with this one!
--cutting out sugar/meat/dairy/etc. doesn't work for me. i'd rather eat a more balanced variety and leave a little wiggle room.
you are awesome. keep it up!
I'm on board for change.
And adding exercise to the daily schedule.
I'd like to start off with a pretty dramatic change, so I can see some early results to motivate 'sticking with it.'
So I don't think the 'no sugar' idea is such a bad one.
After the initial drama, I think it's incremental change. Smaller helpings, no seconds, choose top 5 foods to limit, top 5 to eat/drink more.
I think we need to learn to prepare and love (prefer) more whole foods... somehow we have to make the stuff that's good for us our preference. I'll let you know what I learn.
Thanks for bringing up the hard topic. Love you.
Oh Brynn, I have been dealing with this demon for the past year since I didn't do Lagoon last year. It has been so so so hard on me. The only thing that has worked for me so far is really watching portion size. It makes the biggest difference. Also, not eating past six will also make a difference. I feel like I don't have will power a lot of times. It also sucks when your husband can eat whatever he wants, not work out, and not gain an ounce. Keep it up! You can totally do it and it helps to buy a scale that measures weight and body fat. Hope that helped.
Brynn, I've been thinking a lot about your post! I think it's something that most people are trying to figure out for themselves, which requires constant readjustment.
But i'm a huge believer in everything in moderation. I've never been good at cutting something out completely, but I can practice and force some self control
So here's an example concerning sweets(i have a huge sweet tooth) At work we have a treat table, and I'm not allowed to have a treat until after 4, and I leave at 5. That way I just have something small towards the end of the day.. this always makes me eat the healthy stuff first
Another idea is saying you gotta eat your veggies before your sweets, take some chopped veggies (and dip if it's the only way you will eat them) and eat those before indulging in dessert.
Also weight maintainance or loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. But I think the exercise is good motivation to eat better. Whenever I'm active I want to take better care of myself. I want to eat healthy.
So just kick up your veggie and whole wheat daily, and switch from 1% to skim, and stop buying foods with trans fat and take control of your mind.
Good luck!, hope I didn't ramble too much.
ps I love the idea of a weekly menu, you should share them on your blog so I can copy you. ;)
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