Beginning Again, Triggers and Committment

Sugar has always been my Kryptonite. Like Superman, when faced with my weakness, I crumble. Superman was fortunate enough that Kryptonite didn't exist on this planet, but was imported. My Kryptonite, sugar or food, is everywhere and even necessary for my existence. Just the smell of a sugary confection is my downfall and a trigger goes off in my head. "Eat". I have a few triggers that I have talked about before: 1) visual ads (food porn); 2) hearing a candy or food wrapper open or a soda top "pop"; and as I said before, 3) smell of sugar, i.e. cakes, candies, etc.

I probably have other triggers, but I just haven't noticed them yet. Although, once I am triggered, I feel almost panicky until I get the item that triggered me. For instance, the other day I saw a cheese danish and resisted. For the next 2-3 days, I craved that cheese danish and by the time I ate one, I wanted more than just one and ended up eating all three over the next two days. I still crave the cheese danish, so deprivation will only make matters worse.

It is a vicious cycle. The more I eat sugar, the more I tend to crave it. So how do I overcome my addition to processed sugars? Last January (2011), I decided to kick the habit and for six months I was successful. I was doing great until I decided to eat a smore at my family reunion. Now I am addicted again. But I was successful for six months! I tricked my body into believing I was getting sugar by eating foods and sweets with sugar substitutes. This satisfied my cravings.

I understand that sugar substitutes are not the best, but maybe I could take it one step at a time. This time, I will recommit myself to go without sugar. Then when I have succeeded in overcoming my sugar addiction, I will take myself off the sugar substitutes. What's next? I don't know, but I have to try. At least I can see the problem, but how to overcome these psychological cravings?

So I have recommitted to go sugar free. I have a neighbor who brings us over a bag of cakes every now and again.

Like an alcoholic pours his "booze" down the kitchen drain, we poured our cakes into a large bowl.

Oh how wonderful this sugar smelled. I could have almost put my face inside the bowl and eaten a mouthful...well....not really.
We took the bowl outside and dumped it out to the chickens. I know it isn't the best for them either, but...

So, no more sugar for us! Processed sugar that is. We will still enjoy fruits in moderation.

Just a reminder of why I am doing this. To get my blood glucose numbers in line.

I am on 40 units of insulin twice a day. Not fun!

No fun at all!

Here's to a new commitment and having joy in the journey. ~ Melanie