No Sugar "Win"

I'm so lucky that I have a job I'm so passionate about.

Last month, in support of a friend, Jessica, I gave up alcohol, and granola. When we decided to "give up" these things a, sort of, releif came over me. Wow! I don't have that option of alcohol or granola anymore, it's not a choice to make anymore, because I made a commitment to a friend. Why is it easier to do it for a friend than ourselves? It doesn't matter, lol, it's not the point. Because of the releif I felt of not having the option, not having the choice, for a months time, I started thinking that this might be a good idea. Choosing to "give up" something once a month. That lead to thinking about other things that could be beneficial to give up.

I suggested this could become a regular exercise of a "monthly win". Exercising our ability to have "wins". Working up to bigger and bigger "wins". Eventually something big like giving up sugar! Jessica and I joked about when that would be a good time to try....maybe the summer when fruit was at it's peak...maybe a month that only had 30 days, (instead of 31!), definitely a month with no birthdays, lol (cake), etc....

So when Jess called me, about 5 days before April 1st, and told me that she wanted to give up sugar sooner than later....like the next month...in only a few days.....after about 5 seconds, I was totally "down" for the possibility! Woo hoo, this could be fun! But it was going to take some planning.

I wasn't worried, for me, I already make most of my own food...in fact I make all of my own "non-sugar" foods, the food that I don't make myself are usually, always, sweets! But Jessica, on the other hand has a situation that most people have, which is that she's not in the habit of making, and preparing all of her own foods. Because of her schedule, her lifestyle, she has to rely on foods available to purchase that are healthy, nutritious and don't contain sugar. She can make some of her meals, but more importantly, planning is key!

So what do we mean when we say "no sugar"? Well, no processed sugar is obvious. No candy, cookies, ice cream, cake, white table sugar, etc. But it also includes every sugar, processed or not, including fake sugars like equal and nutrasweet and splenda, etc. We have agreed to make two acceptions, if we choose to exercise these options, we can have,

1 single serving of fruit per day, with the ability to "bank" our fruit servings to allow more or less. One serving of fruit means about 4oz.. NO BANANAS

1 tablespoon of honey per week. That can be split into teaspoons (3) for tea, salad dressings, yogurt, etc.

That's it.

I will be posting the details of this "monthly win", on my blog, Food and Thought, throughout this next month. It's so much more than just giving up sugar! And I'm excited to find out, all of health benefits, body compositon changes, disipline opportunities, strength and feelings of victory, that can come from this experience.

Life is good.