Oh Damn I'm Ditching Sugar Too

So that little voice of mine decided to pipe up again. You know, the one who told me to take a year off booze? Yeah. Her. She seems pretty darn determined that it would be a good idea for me to drop added sugar and artificial sweeteners for the next two weeks.

Thanks A LOT, conscious mind. Or gut. Or whoever I decide you actually are once I figure it out.

Damn. So I guess I’m off sugar starting tomorrow. Two weeks. That will take me to my July monthly Lifetime weigh-in, and then two days later it will be Day 365. And I want to feel pretty great on that day. So. Here we are.

As reliant as I am on sugar, and as scary as this should seem, I feel similar to how I felt when I took my booze breaks. Which is to say, I am relieved. I am relieved that I am putting a firm rule into place. There is comfort in being able to draw a line that I know I won’t cross, rule-follower that I am. I’m also a bit nervous though. During the next two weeks we have my dad and stepmom visiting, and I will also be PMSing. Two great excuses to go off the rails. I’m nervous about not being able to turn to a pint of ice cream, or light ice cream, or froyo, for comfort.

Why ditch sugar? Why now? It’s not just because I want to feel strong and svelte on July 4. My craving-conquering skills need honing. I am more of an aprés-surf girl than an urge-surfer - by which I mean I’d rather sit on my butt and indulge and deal with the consequences later than actually do the hard thing and ride out the sugar crave-wave.

My one year alcohol-free will be over in 17 days. I have no desire to drink again (WOOHOO!), but I know that my subconscious will be piqued when my steadfast no booze rule is no longer in place. Yes, I could go for a second consecutive AF year. But I also want to see where I am once the ban is lifted, to see if I can successfully and contentedly navigate life as a non-drinker without formally declaring a booze break.

So I figure, if I can go two weeks without added sugar and artificial sweeteners, I will feel pretty darn empowered. My alcohol cravings have basically vanished, but my sugar cravings have never been stronger. If I can spend these next two weeks surfing strong sweet cravings, starving the sugar monster, and practicing healthy coping strategies, I know I will feel better about popping my safe, snug OYAF bubble.

Two weeks. I can do this. Feel free to join me - there’s strength in numbers!