Bio
I am a 44 year old single mother of two beautiful children; Brian 20, and Nicole 17. Being a mom is the thing I am most proud of; I could sit and ta...
 
 
 
 

What’s Hot on BlogHer.com

Recent Comments

Conquering Sugar Addiction: The First Step Towards A Healthy Diet (and the toughest).

  • Share This Post
  • submit
  • 23
  • Sparkle (
    )
     

 

Okay, here's the thing...I have seriously fallen off the healthy
eating wagon this summer.  Of course this isn't entirely my fault.  And
if we're going to place blame, some of that should go to my son. 
Because for some reason, he was compelled to make homemade brownies
once or twice a week throughout the entire summer...And I was (obviously) compelled to eat them.

Even though I see my son as part of the problem, he would probably say (and has said), that it is my sheer lack of will power and self control that is the real problem (such wisdom he has).

But regardless of who is to blame (me Brian someone other than me the economy my mother my daughter me), now that he's off at college, I can't really use him as an excuse for my bad behavior.

So the question now is...

What am I going to do about it?

Well, I started working on my 'pre-dieting phase' and I'm also reading a book called 101 Things To Do Before You Diet.

Mary Kearl from That's Fit did an interview with the author of 101 Things To Do Before You Diet...

Putting a new twist on sound weight-loss advice,
UK-based fashion and beauty journalist Mimi Spencer's new book, "101
Things to Do Before You Diet," introduces new ways to think about body image and achieving the look you want.

I'm enjoying the book, it has a lot of really great tips.

I've also begun to think about my plan for getting back on the healthy eating wagon.  Here it is...

First.  This weekend I am getting rid of all
unhealthy food in the house and stocking up on the healthy stuff.  I have had success with this method in the past.  It's especially important at the beginning of any diet or healthy eating plan.

Second.   My daughter has agreed to help me by not asking me to buy unhealthy junk food and by attempting to eat a healthier diet herself.  Tip:  It's a lot easier to eat healthy when you're living with someone who is also eating healthy.

Third.  I'm reaching out to other women in my community that want to lose some weight and eat healthier.  We're going to start a little support group where we talk about ideas and tips for maintaining healthy eating habits.  I think being accountable to the group will also be helpful in sticking with the healthy diet.

There you have it.  Those are the three core aspects of my 'return to healthy eating' plan.  The only problem is...I know I will fail if I don't tackle my sugar addiction immediately.  So the first thing I will do (today) is quit sugar, and focus 100% on getting past the sugar withdrawal phase (this is always the hardest part for me).  I know once I get past the first 7 to 10 days, avoiding sugar will become much easier.

And for me, the sugar addiction contributes to an even larger
medical problem.  This may sound odd - But when I eat sugar, I crave salt, and then sugar, and then salt again.  It's a vicious cycle, and one that has negatively impacted my high blood pressure
(because of the increase in sodium).  Once I cut out the sugar, I know I will automatically stop craving salty foods.  And in the past this has really helped reduce my blood pressure.

Now let's take a look at what other women bloggers are saying about the problems of sugar in our diet.

Falling off the Clean Eating Wagon...

Over the weekend, I was at the Newport Jazz Festival
where I was inspired by the fabulous music and gorgeous weather…and
tempted by the notion of being away and carefree. And that clean eating I pride myself on was well, semi-clean at best (don’t ask me about the greasy breakfast sandwich, ice cream and strawberry shortcake — you get the idea).

From Body Acumen - Teaching Kids To Eat Healthy...

This may seem obvious, but somehow we stubborn Americans often don't understand that if we don't want our children to do something, we shouldn't facilitate it. (I know you've seen that episode of Geraldo, Oprah, Dr. Phil, whoever, where the parent comes with her toddler and states, "she dresses like a whore." Hello, who bought her those clothes?!?!) If you don't want your child to eat twinkies, don't buy them, even if you like to secretly eat them yourself.

From Girl Get Strong - How to Cut the Sugar and Sweets From Your Diet...

The American Heart

  • 23
  • Sparkle (
    )
     

Comments

Post comment as twitter logo facebook logo
Sort: Newest | Oldest
lisalawless 5 pts

I have the same issue with going from sugar to salt and back to sugar. I usually keep my calories in check, but once in a while I lose track of how much extra stuff I'm consuming. Great reminder to keep the unhealthy stuff out of the house!

lisa from lisa is cooking

http://lisaiscooking.blogspot.com/ 

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Thanks for the tips Cherre.  I've been doing really good...No sugar in seven days!  The real test will be later tonight - because my son is home from college this weekend and he plans on making brownies tonight.   I told him that if he leaves them out for me to see, I plan on throwing them right in the trash so I'm not tempted. 

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Cherre 5 pts

Conquering sugar addiction is something I tackle with most of my clients. One thing to try is incorporating mildly sweet flavors into your diet to help satisfy your taste for sweet! Try butternut squash and other squashes just coming into season, or end-of-summer corn, cooked carrots, carmelized onions and roasted beets!

Reaching out for support is key in getting healthy. I am hosting a 3 month group class via phone so no one has to do it alone! http://www.findyourbalancehealth.com/2009/09/small...

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

I totally agree...I am happiest when I am off sugar.  Thanks for commenting.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

jennincat 5 pts

This December will be 2 years abstaining from most refined sugars.  I still eat natural sugars like agave, fruit, maple syrup but don't eat things like candy, cakes, cookies, doughnuts...ect.  I was a miserable addict.  I hated the out of control feeling I had.  Sometimes I miss sugar but I don't miss how depressed and unhappy I was living in a sugar fog.

www.competingtolose.com ( http://www.competingtolose.com/ )

Kalyn Denny 5 pts

And if it help you to know you're not the only one, I started phase one today myself, for a little pre-BlogHer Food tune-up!  Solidarity!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Thanks Liz.  Good idea...I have to run out a little later so I'll pick up some nuts and seeds.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Liz Rizzo 5 pts

Nuts and seeds are your friends.  :)

Liz Rizzo ( http://blogher.org/blog/liz-rizzo )

I blog at Everyday Goddess ( http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/ ).

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Hey Kalyn. I just realized I didn't have you on my Google Reader...gotcha now.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

I got through yesterday without sugar...now I'm on day two.  If I can just get to this time next week, it should be smooth sailing from there.  Wish me luck.

;-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Thanks so much Kalyn.  I'm going to check it out.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Kalyn Denny 5 pts

Hi Catherine,

A few years ago I wrote a post about Getting Started on the South Beach Diet ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2007/12/getting-... ).  It has some tips you might find helpful.  Good luck!

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen ( http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com )

WiFi Faith 5 pts

I stay simple and have one treat a day. I have maintained a great weight of 125lbs

A Dove chocolate, bag of gummies etc

Live Fruitfully! ( http://www.wififaith.com/ )

Liz Rizzo 5 pts

On South Beach Phase 1 you don't eat fruit.  Then you phase fruit back in in phase two, but it's more of a treat, a desert, particularly the very sweet fruits like pineapple.

Liz Rizzo ( http://blogher.org/blog/liz-rizzo )

I blog at Everyday Goddess ( http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/ ).

JennyFresh 5 pts

When you try to detox from sugar, does fruit count? I can't imagine life without fruit..

Gwenn 5 pts

It's true that having a community--especially within your household!--helps.  Four years ago, my partner ( http://www.vanadia.com/stopbeingsweet/ ) quit sugar, and, though I still eat it, our over-all diet is a lot healthier because he abstains.  An added bonus in my book has been learning to bake with Agave Nectar and other sweeteners so that we can both eat the treats!

Best, 

Gwenn

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Hi Cristin.  I love frozen blueberries.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

the veggie ignoramus 5 pts

Peaches, peaches, and more peaches.

That's how I get my sugar fix this time of year. 

Then I freeze blueberries and strawberries and add them to everything throughout the winter.  Real ones, that actually taste sweet.  That's the key.

Cristin (aka the veggie ignoramus)

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Thanks Liz...I'll have to check that out.

:-)

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Catherine Morgan 5 pts

Thanks Sierra...Your post was very interesting too, thanks for sharing.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan

at Catherine-Morgan.com ( http://catherine-morgan.com/ ) and Women4Hope ( http://women4hope.wordpress.com/ )

Liz Rizzo 5 pts

South Beach Phase 1 is an awesome 2-week sugar cleanse.  Completely kills the cravings, while encouraging a super-healthy diet.  (Diet in the sense of how-I-eat-to-be-healthy, not how-I-starve-myself-to-lose-weight.

Liz Rizzo ( http://blogher.org/blog/liz-rizzo )

I blog at Everyday Goddess ( http://everydaygoddess.typepad.com/ ).

Sierra Black 5 pts

Great post. I'm doing an elimination diet to try to diagnose hidden food allergies, and I just posted about the things I'm learning about my eating habits. Especially sugar, which I've discovered I eat a lot more of than I knew.

Here's the post: http://childwild.com/2009/09/11/elimination-update...