Showing posts with label sugar-free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sugar-free. Show all posts

Thursday, November 6, 2014

November 6th, 2014 It Isn't Willpower

November 6th, 2014 It Isn't Willpower

After reading about the big bunch of sweets delivered to our studio earlier this week, a colleague commented, "I don't know how you maintain such strong willpower." I didn't have time to properly explain to her, how this isn't about willpower. Because the truth is, I rarely use willpower.

Willpower is exercised when we're desperately trying to avoid something we truly want and crave. We will ourselves against it in whatever way we can, but we still want it, horribly so. 

When I step back and look at all the good giving up sugar has given me, the sweets lose their appeal. When I focus on the clarity and peace of mind I'm experiencing, I wouldn't trade it for all the pecan pie in the world. So, with this perspective firmly in focus...

The sweets just do not have the same attraction as when I was under the influence and blindly living in denial of my own addiction. Back then, I was convinced I could handle moderation for all things. Now that the opposite has been confirmed so strongly, the allure just isn't there. I look at a cookie and I don't see the ingredients of a delicious recipe. I look at a cookie and I see the ingredients for chaos and havoc in my life. One bite and it's all over, until I can somehow, by the grace of God, find recovery again. Looking at sugar in this way, makes it one of the most unappealing things to me. It took finally embracing my own truth to get to this place. Once I believed, embraced and started living it, this change in perspective was like flipping a switch.

This doesn't mean I'm beyond relapse. Not at all. I'm still very susceptible to the same struggles I've faced countless times before. I'm never "in the clear," so to speak. This is why I must give the things I consistently do each day an incredible amount of consideration and importance level. I must always remain on guard and be willing to step outside of my "affected self," and call it like it is. And that can be the toughest thing along this road--the getting real part, the self-honesty. It is clearly the most important element.

I've written about it before--and it's so true: I really wanted to be someone who could eat "just one bite." But that was someone else's normal, not mine. My good friend and weight loss support group conference call partner, Life Coach Gerri Helms, recently posted a wonderful blog page all about the "just one bite" dynamic. You can read it here: http://lifecoachgerri.com/2014/11/05/coaching-from-the-coach-interfering-with-intuition/

My Tweets today:














Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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Thursday, October 30, 2014

October 30th, 2014 Trying Different

October 30th, 2014 Trying Different

I do get into routines and habits. I like certain things and I seem to be able to enjoy them again and again without tiring too much. In the spirit of variety, I made a conscious effort to try something different. I ended up having a day where I didn't consume tortillas in any form--no chips, no tostada or taco shells and only one serving of cheese. I didn't eat any avocado today, either. I'm not saying my usual "go-to" menu items are bad--and believe me, I'm sure I'll have some tomorrow, I just decided to try some different things today. It was a great food day. I was very satisfied.

Remember those sugar free cupcakes? Eight of them remain in my fridge, untouched. I enjoyed my one cupcake and I haven't felt compelled to have another. I could, easily--I mean really, it's 155 calories and sugar free, I just haven't. It's interesting to me because if these were regular sugar laden cupcakes, and I wasn't sugar free--I would have devoured more, likely the rest of them. It's as if my "inner brain" knows there isn't sugar to be found in them, so they're not an attractive option. These cupcakes are really good, don't get me wrong--they just don't contain the drug my brain sniffs out like a police dog.

I enjoyed a fantastic workout tonight on the elliptical at the YMCA (speaking of routines). It's really past time for me to expand my workouts to include weights. I've said I would--almost did--said I was ready, then backed off so many times--and it's getting ridiculous! It's too easy to just do what I've been doing. I enjoy what I do. But just like changing up my food today, I must be willing to try different in the exercise department.

My Tweets Today:












Thank you for reading and your continued support,
Strength,
Sean
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