I Kicked My Sugar Addiction!

When we think of being addicted, the first thing we think of is drugs.  We assume that the drugs are either prescription or bought from a sleazy dealer.  Imagine if someone is addicted to a drug that is often offered to us for free, is available everywhere, everywhere we shop, at family gatherings, parties, and is given to us starting as children.  This is a reality because the drug is SUGAR.  It comes in pretty colors and packages, looks fantastic, and tastes incredibly good.  Most people think that sugar is just part of life because we eat it willingly, our taste buds love it, our bodies crave it, and its encouraged to consume.

Over three years ago, I went cold turkey and gave up sugar.  After I read the book, The Eat Clean Diet, I decided that this was what I needed to do to cleanse the inside of my body and I wanted to see if I could make myself look and feel better by giving it up.  I had battled the weight roller coaster and migraine headaches for most of my life and was motivated to change for good.

If you’re thinking that this was easy, it definitely was NOT.  It was the hardest thing that I have EVER done, but SO worth the benefits.  I used to eat M&M’s and candy every single day, I studied the dessert menu before entrees at restaurants, and I would eat the mound of cake icing that people slid off their plate onto mine!  I didn’t take this new venture lightly, but I knew that I was destroying the inside of my body by continually eating junk.  I remember one night, after I polished off a whole bag of Sour Patch Kids candy, I felt strange rapid heart palpitations and got really scared.  I got tired of always feely guilty after eating junk, but never felt the desire to stop until I got scared that night and was sick and tired of feeling and looking like crap.    

So, I cleaned out my pantry and threw away all the garbage containing sugar, which was just about everything.  I learned through the book, and my own research, how to shop and what to buy so I could make my own healthy sugar-free meals and snacks.  But, after a couple of weeks of giving up sugar, I truly thought I was losing my mind.  I went to the doctor and had a complete physical because I was so jittery and hungry, even though I was eating more clean (unprocessed) food than I ever ate before.  The doctor said I was healthy and that my body was actually going through a withdrawal process.  It was only a few days after that, things changed for good.  I no longer felt the need for something sweet after each meal, I didn’t go near it in stores, and I started noticing that my fat and migraines were disappearing.  Hallelujah!! 

I had a relapse after two and half years.  I lost my focus and thought I could sneak in a few Life Savers mints, then Coffee Nips, and then all kinds candy of holiday treats!  Before I knew it, I was back on the white stuff, craving it nonstop, and ballooned up ten pounds!!  THIS is how I know that I truly am a sugar addict.  My taste buds were back in control and I felt like crap.  Thank goodness I got a grip, refocused, and gained control of the situation.  My new goal was to get back to being sugar-free and get fit for my first ever NPC Bikini contest in less than three months. This time it was a lot easier because I had experienced the benefits.  I knew I could do it again and I did before it got totally out of control.  Whew!  Now, I’m back to feeling wonderful and being in control of what I choose to put into my body.   

Just because the entire world pushes sugar in everything we see, eat, and drink…you DO NOT have to participate.  Look around…the majority of our nation is fat and unhealthy because people choose to ignore the obvious.  Having a “sweet tooth” is just not cute any more.  If you think giving up sugar is impossible, then you’re not trying hard enough or you’re still making excuses for yourself.  Cutting out sugar is one hundred percent worth it.  Make the choice, commit to it, and do it.  Trust me, you’re body will thank you for it.