Just Start

A few weeks ago I wrote about what I would tell someone wanting to stop eating refined sugar.  Someone who might be a bit hesitant.  Today I want to revisit that. 

I really honestly would say "just do it".  It seems overwhelming and scary but the longer I do this the easier it gets.  Yes there will be days you want to say screw it because you don't want to cook dinner and don't want to sit in a proper restaurant but you will sit back and figure it out and be completely happy in the end.  There are so many options if you are just bold and ask.  I have done this for almost 7 weeks now and I wish I had done it sooner.  Don't wait for the right time or until after the holidays.  There will always be a reason not to start but with planning you can really get through anything. Don't do it alone though!  There are lots of us out there willing to help you make the best of this new life.

It's an amazing one and I will never look back!

Getting Flexible

A few weeks ago I wrote about how scary the thought of being flexible around sugar was.  Even the thought of it made me super anxious.  There have been plenty of times where things full of sugar have been an option and I have thought about that flexibility part.  While I will still say I don't ever intend to have refined sugar in my food choices again I can say that I can be flexible in my own way.

In all possible areas I will make sure I have a comparable option.  For my daughter's birthday in a few weeks I will have a naturally sweetened carrot cake for example.  In cases where I don't bring an option I will avoid eating the sugary item.  In some cases I may just not know about ingredients and will have to make an educated guess and go with my gut.  Last night I was at an event where there were many items I knew had sugar in them and a couple of items that were possible.  I had mixed up the length of the event and had expected there to be a fruit and veggie tray so hadn't brought anything and was starving.  I opted for the item I felt would be safest.  It was a chicken skewer with spices on it.  I asked questions and was told by the server that she didn't know but that it seemed to be just spices.  I took a chance, had a small one and drank lots of water.  It was spicy and not at all sweet so I think it was fine. 

There will always be things that are questionable and things that clearly have sugar.  When it comes to times where I know there is sugar I will respectfully decline.  It just isn't worth it to me.  I will however be better at planning and make sure I have options.  To this point it hasn't been an issue.  More and more I don't want the super sweet things.  Just the smell makes me nauseous at times.

It's like with yoga, flexibility comes with practice and right now my flexibility is pretty tight:)

What a week!!

Tried to post this yesterday but it just wouldn't go!!  So here is it is:)


The past week has been a super busy one.  Work is crazy, the kids are busy and time seems to be whizzing by.  It was a great week though and the weekend has been amazing.  I should be exhausted but I feel great.  I made great choices in the food department and rested when I knew I needed it.  Taking such good care during the crazy part of the woeek resulted in my amazing weekend.  I feel full of energy and have gotten so much done.  I did lots of running around and had lots of fun.  Spent time with the family and soem freiends.  It is the best kind of weekend.

I know I keep saying it but I can't express enough how great I feel since cutting out all the added sugar, and as a result garbage, from my eating.  It has been amazing.

A new week has started.  One that should be equally as busy but I am ready!

Just some of the highlights of an amazing weekend!!!   Sugar free muffins, Oh She Glows Endurance Crackers, a trip to the park, an amazing salad from the Mealime App, my painting from a PaintNite,  a lady bug, my soon to be tween with her ever present headphones, and cauliflower crust pizza:)

Why?

Life has been seriously crazy the last couple of weeks.  Work is busy with lots of things due this time of year and with school starting we are running around more and more.  It's all good busy but I have been neglecting my posting.  I am still refined sugar free and loving it.  I have stuck to my plan and have recreated so many things.  I have learned how to substitute things in recipes to make them equally amazing and way better for me.  My family is also much more aware of what goes into their foods. 

I haven't talked much about long-term goals or reasons for making this change yet.  It's about living, really living.  Not being afraid of what the next lab results will show or what medication I will have to take long term.  I know there are cases where people have to take medications and are still quite healthy but for me that would not be the case.  Family history of type 2 diabetes and heart disease combined with my history with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome mean making this change is so important.  In just the short time I have been doing this my lab results are amazing and I no longer need long term medications.  I feel great and most of the time have lots of energy.  Sure work gets crazy, I stay up too late and get up to early so get tired but it's a different tired.  It's a good tired!! 

It's Thanksgiving weekend and we will be hosting a family dinner.  I will be making a pumpkin pie with no refined sugar.  We have homemade broth sourdough bread for the dressing plus more of the broth for the gravy.  Everything on my table Sunday will be refined sugar free and amazing!!  Our guests will leave healthy and satisfied;)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Will Power, not so powerful??

Anytime someone makes a change to eat healthier they start talking about will power.  We give so much credit to this ever elusive will power but how powerful can it be if it fails us over and over? 

A decision to be healthier has to be more.  So many people start something out guns blazing and then after a few days or weeks fizzle out and blame it on lack of will power.  I disagree.  I think it's a lack of planning and habit forming.  Perhaps even as far as lack of commitment and a wrong mindset.  I think it comes down to why you are making a change and how you view that change. 

When I made the decision to become refined sugar free it wasn't(still isn't) about a short term fix or a weight loss attempt.  It was about making my insides work properly, making my system run properly.  I came into it with the mindset of making a choice not to eat refined sugar NOT a mindset of can't eat refined sugar.  I have said multiple times that I CAN eat whatever I want but I am choosing to abstain from sugar.  It gives me the power not some elusive will. 

It requires work too.  I can't just say I am not going to eat it.  I have to have a plan for just about every situation.  Anytime I can't eat at home I have to have food with me that fits my choices.  If I am going to choose to eat out I have to plan ahead and know what I am going to eat.  If there might be sugar filled foods at a meeting I have to have an alternative so that I am satisfied and not as tempted.  I have to look at what my goals are long term and ask if it is worth it to have that bite.

Critical Critics

Last round I talked about the inner critic.  That inner critic that tried to tell me this journey would be too had was so very mistaken.  Sure it's not always easy and sometimes I wish I could just eat like everyone else but then I think about how much healthier I am and how many amazing foods I eat and she shuts up. 

Today I want to talk about the outer critics.  Those people who think we are silly or crazy for doing this. Honestly I have yet to really meet these critics.  I have told more and more people what I am doing and it has all been met with great responses.  Sure a couple of people said how hard it was going to be and more than one was concerned with the fact that I might not be able to have wine ever again.  Everyone ended with a positive comment though.  I know this lifestyle change isn't for everyone.  I know that some people can control their sugar intake and not go overboard.  I however am not one of those people.  The longer I do this the more I know it was the right decision.  The critics aren't nearly as critical as I expected and the one inside my head has taken a hike.  Before I know it I'll be months into this new world and not even remember what it was like to eat sugar filled foods all day, everyday.

Round two!

Last week's goals were fairly successful.  I ran a couple days, made new things and got in a good bike ride on Sunday.  The new food I made was a sheet pan dinner.  The foods themselves weren't anything special but the concept was there.  I did pesto chicken, roasted potatoes and roasted asparagus.  Stuck it on on two pan and into the oven.  Left it there for half an hour and voila!

Today marks 35 days without refined sugars.  I have used maple syrup or honey but that is all.  I am feeling great.  Round two started today.  It's the first official challenge open to the public.  There are about 6 people doing it.  I am super excited to see how it goes.

I am following along and doing it with them.  Since I didn't go back to eating sugar I will more be looking at the journalling and mental aspects this time.  I think I will be able to look even deeper at things this time through.

Today's topic was temptation zones.  I have found I have more of temptation places than specific items and I have also learned that I am far stronger than I originally thought.  I have had many meetings in places like McDonalds and Tim Horton's without issue.  My staff meeting this past week where I expected it to be hardest wasn't bad at all.  There were several kinds of cookies but I brought sugar free apple muffins and had that instead.  I am finding there are less temptations than I thought there would be.  Sure there are lots of things that I might like to have but I haven't really minded not having things.  It has definitely gotten easier to be around things that are sugary. 

I truly believe this is about mindset too.  It isn't about can't have, it is about don't want.  This alone has been the biggest hurdle.  Teaching people around me that it is a choice I am making and not something I can or can't have.  I am a person who when told I can't wants to prove that I can.  So if I was saying I can't have sugar then I am going to want it more than ever.  If I say I am choosing not to have it no one is going to tell me I can't have something.  It has been surprisingly easy to say no to things too.

I'm looking forward to seeing what else is different this time around.

Whoops!!

Sorry about that!  Time seems to have gotten away from me this week.  Saturday something weird happened to my eye and and it was still swollen on Monday so I worked from home then yesterday and today have been crazy busy.  My eye is back to normal.  I believe I got bit by something.  It suddenly got very itchy right in the corner then the lower lid was red, sore and swollen.  It gradually got better but looked bad at the beginning.

Anyway on to the goals.  Last week's goals were:
Monday: Early morning run - done
Tuesday: Strength training immediately after taking the girls to school.  - done
Wednesday: Early morning run - crazy hot so skipped it
Thursday: Grocery shop and pick one thing I have never tried(preferably a fruit or veggie) - done!  I got a prickly pear and it was a mess.  I should really research before buying.  There was nice taste but way too much work.
Friday: Early morning strength training - sadly didn't happen.  The new routine was tough and I just didn't get up in time.
Saturday: Long run(early then errands, karate and laundry) - didn't happen either but it was a very active day full of errands and cleaning.
Sunday: This is a multi-goal, relaxation filled day.  Early morning bike ride with hubby, day at the beach with friends and family, new recipe for dinner. - relaxing was the name of the day.  Adrian decided to go golfing at 8am so the ride didn't happen but I got a good part of a boom read and made rice pudding for the girls.  That was the new recipe.  Not quite for dinner but it worked out. 

Now this week's goals(similar to last week):
Monday - run - done
Tuesday - 12 hr work day so just survive - done;)
Wednesday - morning run or evening strength training - chose the strength training
Thursday - run
Friday - walk after work, maybe to the school for the girls
Saturday - run, cook something new
Sunday - relax, maybe bike ride

So obviously half the week is done.  Now to make it through the rest in one piece!!

Not Just A New School Year

I have said it before but the beginning of a new school year always feels like the beginning of many new things.  It is the beginning of my favourite time of year, the beginning of much more bearable temperatures, the beginning of a renewed sense of energy and the beginning of new goals.  This year I am making it the beginning of a newish routine too.  I want to look at each week and set daily personal goals.  A lot will be workout related but some will be fun or food related too. 

This week's goals are:
Monday: Early morning run(6.4 miles done today)
Tuesday: Strength training immediately after taking the girls to school. 
Wednesday: Early morning run
Thursday: Grocery shop and pick one thing I have never tried(preferably a fruit or veggie)
Friday: Early morning strength training
Saturday: Long run(early then errands, karate and laundry)
Sunday: This is a multi-goal, relaxation filled day.  Early morning bike ride with hubby, day at the beach with friends and family, new recipe for dinner.

These are all very achievable goals and ones I can easily stick with. My energy level is great, my mood is great and I am excited to be out and moving.

Today was a great day.  I wanted to sleep in a bit but chose to get up and run with a friend.  I really enjoy getting out there first thing and just enjoying the run.  This afternoon we got a bunch of the kids and parents together to enjoy the last day of summer holidays.  Then dinner was a delicious steak and baked potato with roasted cauliflower. 

Now the kids are gearing down, all their stuff is ready for tomorrow and I am excited for what this school year will bring!!

Nope!

So I finally got around to making my homemade peanut butter cups and have quickly learned that I am not ready for that kind of thing yet. 

The first one was terribly sweet and I felt awful after eating it.  One would think that should be the end of it but nope.  Once one was in I kept thinking about the rest in the freezer.  Rationalising that they were just too sweet because I haven't been eating like that and that the next one would be fine.  I was so fixated on them that I knew they had to go.  There were 7 left and with the amount of not cheap ingredients in them I couldn't bring myself to ditch them so I made other people eat some so I wouldn't eat them all.  They are gone now and I will not be making them again anytime soon. When I do they will be mini ones and taken to a party or work, they will not sit in my freezer calling to me.

Lesson learned and moving on.  I have been slacking in posting since my challenge finished but have not been slacking on my goals.  I have not had refined sugar in 21 days.  Overall I feel more energy and generally better.  I am not struggling to find stuff to eat either. I have been quite active most days.  This past week I had a couple of lazy days but made up for that on Thursday by walking around all day.  I got in nearly 17000 steps that day and while my feet hurt I wasn't totally exhausted at the end of it.  I was pleasantly tired but not to the point that I wanted to curl up and sleep for a week.  Just plain tired. 

This morning I got up and met a friend for a nice bike ride.  We went out to the country and rode past some farmers fields.  It was beautiful.  My favourite season is peaking around the corner and I can't wait.  School starts in a couple days, cooler temperatures are arriving and my energy level is high.  Fall running/cycling is my favourite so I will be out there and loving it!!

CNE Day!

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday and our annual trip to the CNE.  I went into the day with a plan and stuck to the plan. 

We got there just after 10am but the rides don't open until 11am so we made a stop in the food building.  It's not busy in there at that time.  I looked at a few places and found a Mexican place with lots of fresh ingredients.  I checked what they had and how things were made.  Their stuff all seemed to be safe so I decided that would be my dinner.  We had lots of food with us for snacks and lunch.

Off to the rides we went.  The kids rode for a while and then asked for lunch.  Interestingly none of them asked to buy any food at that point.  We sat down and ate our sandwiches, veggies and nuts.  Then it was back to the rides and the other attractions.  My kids love to go into the farm building to see the animals and to wander the vendor booths.  They asked for some popcorn later in the afternoon and we asked about the topping.  The man assured us there was no sugar in the seasoning so I had a little of that.  I love popcorn:). When dinner came everyone knew what they wanted, except my husband.  He figured it out while the rest of us got ours.  I stuck with my plan and got a burrito bowl with only fresh ingredients in it to ensure I wasn't getting hidden sugar in sauces. It was amazing.  Then the kids wanted ice cream so they got some.  I was too full from my bowl to even think of wanting some.  Then it was more rides and home.  We were there for about 10 hours and I stuck to my plan the entire day.  It wasn't hard at all.

A couple things I noticed.  When we passed places selling sweet, sugary things the smell actually bothered me.  It was so sweet smelling that it was gross.  The other thing was that my kids who usually ask for cotton candy, slushies, lollipops and anything else they see didn't ask for anything extra, until after they had ice cream and were getting tired.  Then my youngest started with the slushies and candy apples(which are just gross).  She didn't argue at all when she was told no though.  Either they are starting to get it or just knew I would say no anyway.

It was a great day out and my daughter is already planning next year's birthday trip:)