dizzy – One Saved Penny https://onesavedpenny.com Living With Intention Sat, 23 Feb 2019 23:49:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 The No Sugar Challenge! https://onesavedpenny.com/the-no-sugar-challenge/ Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:53:53 +0000 https://onesavedpenny.com/?p=148 THE NO SUGAR CHALLENGE!

Day 1

Yesterday I posted on my Facebook fan page about detoxing our lives. I spent the day thinking about the different things I could start with, but landed on the one thing that I know will make the biggest impact. Plus, It is something I have been putting off for way too long.

So, starting today, I am giving up sweets. I’m talking about candy, sodas, treats, and desserts. I know there are lots of other foods that either contain or convert to sugar, but I’m starting with these little devils, as they have been my downfall for my entire life. I’ve stopped them before, and have loved how much more energy I had, along with the quick weight loss associated with giving up sugar. But like any other addiction, one little slip up would put me back into the downward spiral of rolling in the sugar again.

Day 2

For day two of my detox challenge, I am also going to commit to daily journaling. There is a ton of research behind the power of putting your thoughts and goals on paper. Here is my first day.

While I didn’t really know what to write at first, I was surprised how easily the words came to me. It actually felt pretty good to get my thoughts on paper. If anyone has any tips, ideas, great journal apps or a favorite paper journal you use, please share!

Day 3

This photo pretty much sums up how my second day without sugar went.

Day 4

These last four days without sugar have been challenging, to say the least! I seem to have triggers everywhere I go. Birthday cupcakes, the gas station, the movie theater, the store, going out to eat, and pretty much every time I get into my car! And then there’s the headaches. And why am I not getting skinny yet?! Uggghhhhhhh

Ok, get yourself together, Penny! Did you die? No. Did you starve? No. Did you sleep soooo good the last two nights? Yes! Will tomorrow be a little bit easier? Yes! Will the end result be worth it? Yes! (No, I was not a cheerleader, and no, I do not own a megaphone – but how fun would THAT be? LOL)

Today is supposed to be the last of the tough days. Can’t wait to get over this hump!

Day 9

My sugar free journey has been rough. I had gotten over the 5-day hump and was doing pretty great until Day 9 – Thanksgiving Day. ***Disclaimer*** I told myself when I started that I would allow myself to enjoy the actual holiday days (Thanksgiving & Christmas) and all that those days entail. Well, we arrived at my sister’s house around 1pm after a four-hour drive to Wichita. I was feeling pretty good until she gave us the grand tour of her new house. We were in her spare bedroom, and I had to sit down on the bed due to feeling weak and light-headed. From there, we went straight back down to the kitchen, where she supplied me with some strawberries and grapes. This was probably sufficient, but then she produced the platter of the most beautiful cake balls I have ever laid eyes on. Blaine took a bite, and then offered me one as well. You guys, I started crying (yes, crying) before it even hit my lips. That should have been my first sign that I was not yet mentally prepared to partake in the sugary bliss. But I ate it anyway, and had 3 more before the end of the night. I also had some chocolate coated pretzel sticks, which were also delightful. After an amazing meal, we lounged outside in the 70 degree weather, built a fire on the deck, and had a wonderful holiday. We left around 10pm and I slept like a baby that night.

Day 10 – I was REALLY starting to crave the sugar again. The entire family decided to go to breakfast together before going our separate ways. We went to this amazing home-cooked, made from scratch restaurant, where I soaked my french toast in a pool of syrup without even giving it a second thought. Afterwards, I just reassured myself that I would pick up right where I left off.

Day 11, 12, 13, 14, and today, Day 15 – I cannot stop thinking about drinking a Mt. Dew. I feel like a crazy person every time I’m in my car, because I literally have to talk myself out of it every time I go anywhere. Driving is obviously a major trigger for me! I took my son to Wal-Mart last night and convinced him to buy a Mt. Dew so that I could have “just a couple” of drinks from it, which I did. No big deal, right? WRONG. So today, after internally arguing with myself all week, I crumbled. I drank the whole damn thing too.

So, here’s to a new day tomorrow! I have realized that I cannot continue to give myself any allowances, as I obviously cannot handle the aftermath. I realize that I can’t just give up and go back to my old ways. This holiday and last few days were nothing more than a setback, and setbacks always provide more room to grow. So here we go again! Please send me some good vibes!

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