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Highs and Lows

 

Throughout my life, I've had a on-and-off relationship with processed sugar. White sugar. The stuff is addictive. Several times in my life, I've been able to go cold turkey and give it up.

When I do, I lose weight - without trying to lose weight. Maybe it's the choice of foods, but no sugar = less of me.

Over 3 years ago, I gave up sugar. I lost 60 pounds. And then I did what I always do - I tell myself that I have achieved some sort of resistance and it's okay to eat [apple pie/cake/ice cream]. You know, treat myself. When I do, that's it. I then start to gain weight again because I keep eating that stuff.

And so two years ago, I started eating sugar again. I gained back 40 of the 60 pounds I'd lost. Stupid...

Four weeks ago, I gave it up again. I'm exercising more. I'm sure the weight will come off. I'll do a few things different this time.

  • I will never eat processed sugar again. Period. I can't be trusted with it.
  • I won't weigh myself. It's not about the number - it's about the health and it's about how I feel.
  • I'll try to change myself from being a late night eater to avoiding food late at night.
I gotta tell ya... as I age, it's starting to hit me that I need to be careful. For example, I recently switched to reading glasses. Friends of mine tell me that it was in their mid-40's that they too had to get reading glasses. I just started finding it harder and harder to focus on things close up. For some reason, this adjustment and constant limitation of my body is hitting me harder than it probably should. I guess we all pick our "good lord, I'm getting older" moments. This is one of mine. Health, as a result, has become pretty darn important to me now. It's the Brett-preservation program, to the joy of my wife, who tells me that it took her long enough to find me... I'd better stick around or she'll kick my butt.

No processed sugar. Exercise. Better eating habits. Whole foods.

It's always the right time to focus on one's health.

 


by Brett Rogers, 6/21/2008 12:13:11 PM
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Comments

Used to be the stereotype of the mid-life crisis was the sports car. More and more it seems it can be focused on other things, if there is such thing as a "mid life crisis". I have begun playing soccer, basketball and softball again. While it certainly is good to get the exercise, I can't help but muse is it perhaps a vain attempt to recapture some of my youth? I suppose it is less expensive and better for my health than a sports car...

 

 

Posted by Rich, 6/21/2008 2:07:30 PM


I admire your strength. I couldn't give up sugar. I mean, I wouldn't. One of my favorite musicals actually has a song about it: "sugar, so refined, for a small price she blows my mind, sugar, she's got the power, soothes my soul for half an hour".
I originally thought the song was about prostitutes, but then it goes on about going into a grocery store and buying Twinkies.

 

 

Posted by Annette (dmartingirl.blogspot.com), 6/21/2008 10:07:19 PM


Good for you. Be careful however. By completely cutting out a certain food item from your system will make it so at some point in time your body will crave it and that's when you give in and binge. You might want to pick a sweet and indulge, with one mouthful per day....just to satisfy that need.

 

 

Posted by L.A. Weightloss success story and counsellor, 6/25/2008 3:05:48 PM


Excellent point, counsellor. I just find that with certain temptations I am unable to stay far away. Some things I will always want, eh? So I figure it's best if I abstain.

 

 

Posted by Brett Rogers (http://www.beatcanvas.com), 6/25/2008 9:31:54 PM


Good luck with quitting the sugar---I know we've talked about this before-- It's so difficult at first, but y'know what I love best about getting off the stuff once and for all? Things like sweet potatoes and strawberries and peaches start to taste like CANDY! Heck, pears and goat cheese taste like cheesecake! :-) There's a lot of natural sweetness in the world!

One of my docs told me once a good idea to try is not to buy/eat anything you couldn't get 100 years ago. It's kind of a challenge, but I think it might be kind of true if you want to keep the chemicals and preservatives out of your system! I haven't been able to pull it off yet, but I think about it everytime I get groceries...then I sigh and throw the dang sugar free pudding cups in the cart.

As for my best health enhancer in mid-life? The dog. I've walked/run/been dragged/romped in the park more in the past six months than in the year before that. He makes exercise much less of a chore.

 

 

Posted by Bella, 6/27/2008 3:53:38 PM



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