Dear S,
It pains me to write this, because I’m not sure I can follow through. But I’ve been thinking a lot about our relationship and it saddens me to admit - it has to end.
You had me right from the moment I met you. You sparkle and I smile. You beckon and I surrender. Your sweet nothings give me a rush.
But it’s not healthy this thing we have. It’s a roller coaster you won’t ride with me. You send me soaring then leave me to crash. I can’t depend on you anymore.
Then there’s the kids. They’re crazy about you, literally. They can’t get enough of you sometimes. When you’re gone they turn into little brats. They cling to me, begging for you. You’re a bad influence and I don’t want you to see them any more.
I’m starting to think a lot of my problems persist because I have been blind to your effect on me.*
But I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you. I implore you to let me go. If you don’t, I will.
Sincerely,
Laney x
* Possible effects of sugar on my life
- I have skinny chicken legs, but I’m so bloated I look 5 months pregnant, like all of the time.
- I practically slip into a coma mid-morning and afternoon, shaking until I get a fix.
- Constant sugar spikes flood my system with cortisol and has wreaked havoc on my adrenals (see Adrenal Fatigue)
- I can’t stop at one Mint Slice biscuit. It’s none or the whole damn packet.
Today I’m starting Sarah Wilon’s 8 week “I Quit Sugar” program. Follow my progress or join in my ‘Sugar Crash’ challenge. Together we might just have a chance ;).
the first 3 days or so are the hardest. and watch out for artificial sweeteners – they can be a trigger to make you crave more (like refined sugar does). i have a feeling you’ll see much more than your weight improve once you cut out a lot of sugar. I can tell you that my overall health is better and i am less achy. When I do have a lot of sugar, its almost like a hangover. its awful!
Be sure to arm yourself with lots of water and some excedrine because you are probably going to get a wicked headache.
good luck! can’t wait to see how you do!
Kelly’s last post..I’ve chosen my resolution.
Thanks for the great tips Kelly. I’m really not looking forward to headaches. They were bad for a day or so when I switched to decaf coffee. I really do hope that after 8 weeks that I don’t want or tolerate sugar very well. I really do think I will be better without it’s vice-like hold on me!
Oh my goodness Laney, I think you may have inspired me once again. I’ve been trying to quit sugar for a month now and I feel like I’m on a binge-ing backslide every day when I ‘give in’… I need to give it up for many of the same reasons you have. Best of luck. x
Deb @ Bright & Precious’s last post..Awesome Cheese
Well, our motivations/needs are so similar Deb, so I’m glad you’ve been inspired! I’m actually quite terrified of failing, but I just know it has to be done. Can you imagine how amazing we will feel when we finally slip out of the last grip adrenal fatigue has on us?!?!?
Good luck Laney, hope this has a fabulously positive outcome for you. I’ve heard great things from people about their energy levels. Personally, I just can’t do extremes, they play havoc with my mind – but I look forward to reading about your boundless energy. Enjoy the journey :O)
Caz’s last post..GRATEFUL: Getting Back to Basics in 2012
Hey Caz. I’m just hearing more and more from people who have enjoyed successes with their health after kicking the sugar habit. I know what you mean about extremes. I don’t think the 8 week program is altogether too extreme because there are only 3 of the 8 weeks where you absolutely cut out all fructose. It then helps you introduce it back in healthier amounts and forms. I guess I’ll be able to tell you more once I’ve done it!
I will be reading along for any tips or recipes. Sugar was identified finally as one of my depression triggers. It also causes me to pass out within an hour if i eat a bag of lollies or such – no sugar high for me actually – i eat it and rapidly descend into exhaustion and then cranky for 24-48 hours (i turn in to bitchy mom and wife). I have been low sugar this time for 2 months (this is my 3rd attempt and 1 mo usually my breaking point – like Caz it is the mental deprivation, so this time i have allowed more fruit and i have low sugar icecream (but not no sugar) and a few other treats with dried fruit. While doing this though the key to countering the deprivation is allowing myself to eat anything i want that is not sugary so i eat lots of nuts, indulge in carbs galore and even fried foods – the effects from those food (ie fried food) are less than the sugar so it is a trade off so i am still satiated and happy – Good luck Laney
Deb @ Home life simplified’s last post..7 Deadly Sins of Goal Setting
I remember reading about your relationship with sugar Deb. I can be quite similar, go figure ;). Great that you’ve made it past your one month hurdle.
I know what you mean about the mental deprivation issues. I’m not looking forward to my reaction to that at all! I will need all the luck and support I can get!
Good luck Laney! We’ve been following that fairly closely since March last year. I had a few things at Christmas but I honestly can say I find it all too much now and don’t enjoy it. My husband is the same and Christmas ended up making him quite ill in the stomach for the days following. We were not huge sugar eaters so it was more the little things for us, although I had to cut it out of my coffee which was huge! I’ve replaced mine with cheese and we are still losing weight without doing anything else! It’s amazing, we are almost evangelical about it these days :) !
kellie’s last post..{snapshot} hello moon
I love that almost a year later you are not wanting sugar! It’s hard for this sweet tooth to imagine. Sooo motivating! Thanks Kellie.
You will feel amazing! Actually you will feel absolutely awful for a few days, and then you will have bad bad cravings which will ease as the months go by. And then you will feel like Kellie described, you won’t even want it anymore! There are also plenty of natural alternatives, I often refer to this site http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/p/refined-sugar-vs-natural-sweeteners.html for ideas, she has lots of wonderful recipes too. But first you do need to cut out the refined stuff so good on you! Also try brushing your teeth if you’re having a craving, or chewing on some sugar free gum, it might help!
Kristen xo
Kristen @ Me vs Myself’s last post..Liebster Award
It’s really great to get feedback from people like you and Kellie who have already kicked the sugar habit. It makes it seem more achievable. Thanks for your tips, I’ll be sure to share them with everyone who joins me on the challenge.
Wow Laney hope it does amazing things for you! HB anf I are on a health kick/lifestyle change which is going to limit the sugar in our house;.. I cant cut it out completely but hopefully get it back down to a normal level after the crazy season!
Really looking forward to reading your progress!
I GUARANTEE that going off sugar will take of the bloating side of things. I HATE that bloaty feeling but haven’t had it for ages! Except when I had to go on antibiotics for 10 days. Stupid antibiotics
Kelly Exeter’s last post..Is time the enemy of your creativity?
I’m on Day 5 of no sugar and have a nice little (BIG) headache … I was also REALLY nauseous this morning – errr! Anyway, I still feel better (less bloated) and soooooo looking forward to not being like a crack addict when I spot chocolate and lollies ;)
Good Luck to you too!
Tracey Rose’s last post..What is a Doula? … & Why Would You Want/Need One?
Hi Tracey – thanks for dropping by. I’m on day 5 too, and feeling remarkably goo – just tired. I stood in line at a cafe today for about 10 mintues, all the while with cakes and lamingtons under my nose. I didn’t want them and it was a bizarre feeling! I fell like the decision has empowered me, and yes, I fell a little less bloated too! Would you like to join our Sugar Crash support group on Facebook? Just a small group of us so far, but it’s nice to have a chat with other. Here’s the link https://www.facebook.com/groups/sugarcrash/
Oh gosh that is the coolest letter I have read – at first I thought it was a break up letter….then when I read on I soon realised that it had to be about food! Yep the sugar is a huge thing in our house – I can tell straight away if our boys have had any, they go nuts!
Good luck with the sugar crash challenge. You are stronger then me!
Cheers
Lisa
Lisa Wood’s last post..Our Life This Week With Our Family
It’s a bit of a cheeky letter isn’t it? I think it did cause a major shift in my mindset though that has made me stronger in the challenge. I recognised the hold sugar had on me and now I’m determined to be in control if not completely free of it.
Hi Laney!
Thanks for your fabulous blog and for sharing your journey. Here’s a link to my own Dear John letter to coffee, I loved your idea for the quit sugar challenge. Sugar is high on my list of things to do, but I’m breastfeeding my first bubba so that one might have to wait! I’m inspired by the FlyLady challenge too, but I’m giving myself a bit of a break and doing one thing at a time!
See you round!
Beck.
Beck’s last post..Quit Coffee
Hi Beck, I popped over to your blog earlier today – great post on quitting coffee!