I MADE IT!! I really made it!! Its finally the very last day of January, and I am in the very last hours of my no sugar month! WAHOO! Here's the thing though, I am kinda over it - like really! Yes, I still want a piece of chocolate cake (like really bad), but I don't know if it's worth it, and now I know I can live without it. Yes, I am now addicted to popcorn and baked apple chips, but there are worse things, right? ;)
I have also developed a love affair with a raspberry, blackberry, spinach (or kale, whatever is on hand), and carrot smoothie. BUT, with those things now in my life, sugar just doesn't sound good in the way it used to. And, I feel better! Less bloated, and my period was 10 times better, and half as long - that alone is reason enough to cut out sugar!! I can't say my skin is clearer, but mostly because the weather has been crazy cold, then wet, then dropping below freezing and then 50...it's crazy town right now, and my skin can't keep up. But, maybe it would have been worse, so perhaps the sugar detox made it better?
I am not sure what I was expecting to get out of this - I just wanted a challenge, and to be slightly healthier. Can't say I had unrealistic or grand visions of losing 25 pounds, my hair growing 6 inches while getting silkier, and just a general glow around my aura - I didn't know what to expect, if anything at all really. I can say I feel better though, more balanced, and like I just broke up with a boyfriend that I didn't realize was bad for me, or that I could live without, until he was gone.
But honestly, I am a little sad that I do feel this much better though. ;) It just proves that this change was needed, and purse chocolates, after lunch cookie, after work sweet treat, after dinner ice cream, and late night chocolate raids DO need to be a thing of the past! I haven't totally hashed out a solid outline yet, but I am thinking that moving forward, and into February, I will abstain from sugar 95% of the time, but 5% of the time allow a treat here and there - for example, truffles on Valentine's day, but only if they are my favorite - I will not compromise for a flavor that is just so-so, or if they're not from my favorite chocolate shop.
I am also more aware of the things I am making, and what I am buying, since sugar does hide in everything! I like things to be convenient too, so I've gotten in the habit of making a huge batch of spaghetti sauce, and freezing most of it, so I never have to buy canned again. :) That way, it's still super easy to come home from work and make something for dinner, but not have to buy something canned. YAY!
All in all, I am happy I gave up sugar, and kicked it to the curb. It feels good, I saved money, and better yet, as of right now, I can say 'I haven't had sugar ALLLL year'. ;-)
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