Yum & Yuk

I'm in my fourth day of no-sugar living and so far yesterday has been the hardest. Work is definitely where I get the most cravings (I think because the stagnant feeling of being at my desk, in an office with no fresh air makes me bored, maybe). I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised - prior to this week, I had been eating almost twice my weekly recommended amount of sugar in one day. So, it's a big change for my body. Without having read her post until now, I'm basically doing what this blogger recommends, which is replacing healthy fats and proteins for my sugar cravings. Also, as this blog suggest, making sure I have a protein rich breakfast (egg and cheese whole wheat sandwiches or peanut butter and banana on whole wheat toast, etc). Although lots of people talk about subbing in sugar free cookies and candies, I don't want to do this because part of my purpose is to get myself to eat more healthy foods (especially unprocessed stuff), not just replace my sweets with semi-healthier-sweets. I do notice now that when I crave sweets if I take the time to check in, I realize there is something else I'm wanting other than the cookie/candy/etc, namely reassurance (if I'm feeling unsure), a distraction (if I'm bored), etc. Once I realize what is actually going on, I want the sweet less. I still want it. But less.

As I mentioned, I've been reading "The Four Day Win: End Your Diet War and Achieve Thinner Peace," by Martha N. Beck. While she does try a little too hard to be witty, the book does have some really good stuff about why trying to eat right isnt about "will power" and ways to get in better touch with what your body needs. While it is a "diet book" in the sense that she says that the end result of learning to eat this way will be weight loss, it's actually more of a psychology book, helping you observe your own eating habits and finding a way to be more at peace. It's helping me in the quest to overcome sugar addiction, to eat more fruits and veggies, and generally to stop my cycle of body hatred and unhealthy eating. It's not an eating plan or anything, it's a series of exercises designed to help you confront your food demons, whatever those may be. It's far from perfect, but I am finding it encouraging (I don't have to be at the whim of sugar!) and positive (she's an Oprah favorite, so yeah).