(Cartoon resource www.aliveandyoung.net/2009/08/garden-temptations)
My pattern is always the same: The mere thought of chewing on something sweet and I become orally fixated. Needy.
Temptation.....
I must put something sweet on my aching tongue or I'm convinced it will wither. I fantasize about donuts and ice cream and cookie dough for a second, and visualize going to the grocery store to buy whatever I want.
Temptation....
I ditch that idea and consider what's available immediately: A chocolate bar, chocolate chips or my husband's pint of ice cream.
Temptation....
The more I fantasize how satisfying it's going to be, the more the momentum builds. As I scan cupboards, fridge and freezer the momentum speeds up. When I make my decision to take the chocolate bar and have my way with it, the momentum is unstoppable. Minutes later I have regret and begin the pattern of self-deprecating.
If I had stopped the pattern of thoughts from the beginning, I could have stopped the initial momentum.
I discovered this on Saturday. Friday was my last day of work in an office, and I decided it was time to go without sugar again. Saturday.
It's now Monday, almost noon, and I haven't had an issue with cravings. I decided to ignore them. I've also created a BF (Bitch Fit!) book to log any and all thoughts, feelings and cravings. It sits on my kitchen counter. I hope to identify more emotions/situations that lead me to desire sweets.
In the meantime, I'm abiding by the AHA's daily recommended added sugar quotient, which is 6 teaspoons for women, 9 for men. I will only be eating non-refined sugars like maple syrup, honey and dried fruit but no more than 6 teaspoons a day. So far, so good.
My goal is to someday crave only whole foods, you know, the kind nature intended.
More thoughts on Temptation:
Wikipedia defines temptation as: "...A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions."
Some proverbs, quotes and other verses describing temptation:
"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us...."
"Good habits result from resisting temptation."
"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it," Mae West.
"Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart," Shakespeare
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