This week I reminded myself I have three goals:

1) Reduce my overall sugar intake

2) Decrease my reliance on desert

3)  “Reset” my taste buds so that I am more satisfied by less sweets

However, healthy changes should NOT be stressful.  So, I’m not stressing out about eating things with a tiny bit of added sugar in them.  I am still avoiding added sugar for the most part, but not freaking out if I don’t feel like it can be avoided.  When it comes to food I firmly believe that restriction creates cravings and binging.  On the other hand, reframing “restriction” to become “avoidance” creates balance, enhanced self control, and a better shot at achieving your goals.  

Saturday, September 6th

• Got really mad at myself because of a few slip ups.  Reminded by two people that the goal is to reduce cravings and decrease total intake of sugar, not stress.  Total eradication of sugar from the diet is a process.
• 6 days without gum, 6 days without added sugar substitute in anything

Sunday, September 7th

• Forgot about slip ups, jumped right back on the bandwagon!

Monday, September 8th

• Mr. Hungry really wanted In and Out to “celebrate” the first Cardinals game, got a protein style burger and well fries with NO sauce.  Came home to put mustard on the burger… sugar in the mustard…. opened a new bottle of mustard in the cabinet that didn’t have any sugar.  I actually didn’t miss the sauce that much!
• Ate a lot of bananas throughout the day #craving

Tuesday, September 9th

• No big deal

Wednesday, September 10th

• Was really hungry and I can’t not eat before going to the gym, so I had the last quest bar stashed in my purse, also finished some turkey jerky throughout the day
• When I got home from the gym I was feeling a little queezy I opened up a can of diet sprite.  Surprise!  It was too sweet, I drank about 1/4 and the rest went into the garbage… I guess my taste buds are readjusting!  Success and motivation to keep going.

Thursday, September 11th

• I knew I was going to have to grab something quick between work and my hair appointment.  I started to stress about what I was going to eat.  Then I just let go of the stress, because healthy should never be stressful.  I was REALLY hungry, so I ended up with a Health Mix Burrito from Rubios, it was delicious!

Friday, September 12th

• Ate a cookie for my SIL’s 23rd B-Day (she literally fed me the first bite).  🙂 It was lemon white chocolate chip and delicious.  Some things I noticed? I was totally satisfied with just ONE cookie.  Before starting this challenge I would have wanted more, but now I just wanted one.  Did we break the challenge?  Yep. So 5 dollars each extra goes into the collection plate tonight.  Sometimes food is about celebrating with those that you love.  I’m okay with breaking the challenge to do that.  I can tell my taste buds are resetting like I want them too and the challenge is working so if anything it’s motivation to keep going.

Progress!

I am insanely proud about:

1. I haven’t had a piece of gum since September 2nd (I was chewing 1/2 to 1 pack per day)
2. I haven’t added sugar or stevia into anything.
3. I haven’t bought anything with added sugar, so those things are slowly disappearing from the house.
4. I haven’t melted down for a piece of chocolate.
5. I’m already more satisfied by less sweet food.

Let’s chat!  Are you participating in Sugar Free September?  How is it going????

 *Lookout tomorrow for next week’s Sugar Free September Meal Plan!