101 Day No Sugary Treat Challenge

Heh, I'm serious about this.  I'm really doing it.  101 days of no sugary sweets and treats.  I'm already 2 days down.  Two whole days.  That's a lot.  I've just got 99 more days to go...

And now my life has turned into "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of..." 

Why 101 days?  It's just a good solid number.  Just over 3 months, which I've done before, so this time I want to go just a little bit further.  It also takes me through December 31st, which is my last day.  New Years Day I go to one treat a week.

Along with this I'm walking 5 miles a day.  Last Monday I walked 6 miles, yesterday I walked 5 miles, and it really does help me mentally.  I keep wanting to throw in strength training, which is important, but at the moment this is enough, though ... I'll most likely incorporate a program soon.

This year has been a process of changing my brain.  Finding what works and what doesn't.  Making myself mentally stronger.  Changing my viewpoint.  I'm much stronger now then I was a few months back.

I'm nervous of failing, but I already passed my first trial of temptation, and on day one, too.  Heh, only a couple days ago.  We took my Grandma to Dairy Queen, because it's her favorite, and I REALLY wanted to try the caramel apple pie shake.  I had the pumpkin pie shake a week back, and it was dang good.  Ahh!  But I passed.  I didn't cave!  Though, admittedly, I was a little sad for a few minutes while everyone in the car ate their treats.

Once we get to the holidays I'm going to struggle.  But one day at a time.  Spirit over body.  Focus on how I feel, and how I don't always like how I feel when I eat sugar.  I'm developing inner strength.  Mental fortitude.  I'm getting healthy and overcoming cravings and desires.  But really, I'm going to accomplish something that for me is really, really difficult, and I'll come out stronger on the other side.

12 Weeks of No Sugary Treats Completed!!

Last July I decided to achieve the impossible: Complete a New Years Resolution that fell to the wayside.  The goal was to go three months (12-weeks) with no sugary treats.  I did allow for yogurt with live cultures (the frozen variety also being allowed), Honey, and wheat.  What I didn't allow was chocolate, brownies, candy, cookies, ice-cream, hot chocolate, cereal, etc.

I've tried this several times before and failed, reading articles and books that were no help.  Trying ideas that didn't work.  What made this time so different?  It was honestly because I put it in the Lord's hands by fasting and praying.  I kept trying to do it myself, but I had to open myself up and allow faith to precede the miracle.

 I resisted dark chocolate salted caramel Fudge, even through fudge came home and invaded the fridge, staying for weeks.

I didn't take the free ice-cream my Grandpa offered me in Arroyo Grande California, and it's really good stuff.  Nor the pastries in Solvang.  The amazing baked goods in Cambria.  S'mores while camping.  All those treats at church activities. 
Brownies and ice-cream at home.  Etc, etc, etc . . .

 

 

 Everyday I was successful I put a sticker on the calender.

 I even baked my yummy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies last Thursday and didn't eat a single one!!  There's still some in a bag on the counter top, and still I wont try.

I was going to go all the way to New Years Day, making it a total 6 months, but I've decided to allow myself soft serve ice-cream and chocolate.  What will still be off limits till January 1st, 2014, are brownies, cakes, regular ice-cream, cereal, candy, etc.

In the next 3 month phase I'm starting an exercise routine, 5 days a week minimum.  I waited to start this because I wanted to create one new habit at a time, so I wouldn't be overwhelmed.

I think we often fail at goals because we take on too much too soon.   

So on Saturday, for the first time in 3 months, I took a bite of chocolate, and though it was good for a second, I quickly grew tired of it!  And what's funny is before taking the bite I forgot what it tasted like!  Even now I'm not craving it, though in the past I would want chocolate so bad I'd eat 3 granola bars just to get to the tiny chocolate chips!

I've come a long way in my self-control :0)