Monday, December 29, 2008

2009 New Year's Resolution-My Dilemma

What is your New Year's resolution going to be?

I can not decide what to do for 2009! This has been the single most frustrating part of going without sugar--deciding whether to continue going without, or if I should loosen up a little, or if I should splurge on all of my favorites that I missed this year: Oreos, donuts, cookie dough ice cream, cookie dough, cookies, cheap store bought cake, hot chocolate with a mountain of whip cream, M&M's, Almond Roca, chocolate bars, etc.

I don't know what to do!

Of course I would love to splurge, and I know I deserve it after a year of giving up all of my favorites, but then again, why would I do that to myself after I've worked so hard to wean myself of these sugary sins?

I've been asked all month, "Why don't you let yourself have sugar in moderation?"

One of the reasons I quit sugar to begin with is because I have no concept of eating sugar in moderation! One Oreo has never meant one Oreo! I don't eat single bites of ice cream at a time. I clean out the entire pint in one sitting, albeit, nice and slowly, savoring each delicate cool, creamy mouthful. I really miss ice cream.

Here are the reasons I hesitate to go back to sugar, even just for one day:
  • I feel so wonderful now without any sugar!
  • I have a lot of energy consistently throughout my day.
  • I have more confidence than I've ever had in my life.
  • I don't ride the sugar high roller coaster.
  • I don't think I'll be able to control myself.
  • I believe sugar was my addiction (both physically and psychologically).
  • What good reason do I have for reintroducing sugar back in my diet? It offers me nothing but unhealthiness and guilt.
  • I wouldn't be able to be an anti-sugar advocate if I was consuming sugar. (I can't stand those who preach one thing and do another...)
  • If I eat sugar again, I will feel guilty and bad about myself because I know sugar is wrong for my body. Knowing this ahead of time, why would I eat it?


Still considering my options and really trying to reflect upon what is important to me. I think if I decided to eat sugar again, I would be very jealous of all of you who have told me you are going to go without. On the other hand, going without sugar is quite a lifestyle change....

To be continued...

9 comments:

Nicole said...

I have become an avid reader of your blog and felt led to come here and post.

After reading your post today on the reasons why not to start up the sugar again and wow...those were very powerful reasons to me. P O W E R F U L! Really hit a chord on this end!

But whatever you do, I'll keep watching and reading and listening to your blog. :)

Good luck with your decision!

My Year Without said...

Thanks, Nicole!

I've been thinking it through all day today, and the more I think about it, the more I don't believe I would be doing any good by eating sugar again. Really, my only reason to eat it again would be to have a splurge day where I buy everything I love and eat as much as I want one day and then go back to no sugar, but that is so hideously gluttonous to me that I don't think I could do that to my body. I wouldn't just eat one or two donuts. I would stuff my face all day and I just can't justify that no matter how hard I try.

I can't seem to find moderation in eating sugar at all. Even if I could just eat one M&M, that is worse than eating ZERO sugar and a serious tease.

When it comes to eating or not eating sugar, I feel like both choices involve extremes, so I might as well stick to the healthy extreme.

Perhaps some day when I feel sure that I could moderate my sugar intake.....but I would just be doing it for the instant pleasure and I am much more interested in long-term satisfaction.

Fish has Legs said...

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. And **YES**every now and then I think about eating a delicious chocolate chip cookie. I work in a bakery so I am always smelling and looking at these tasty treats. **BUT** I dont like how sugar makes me feel. All the reasons that you post on your recent blog are the reasons why I dont like to eat sugar!!! Plus there are so many alternatives to refined sugar these days. I can do without and so can you. **SO** don't go back to eating sugar!!!

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

I was off of all refined sugar and white flour for quite a while and decided that a couple of cookies at Christmas couldn't hurt. I was wrong. It set me off on a binge and I haven't been able to get back to being totally sugar-free again. So that's my resolution for this year. To do it and stick with it.

Good luck and congratulations on your sugar-free year!

Holist03 said...

I totally agree - DON'T DO IT! Nothing at all good will come from it, and it possibly will set off a sugar binge. Having been there myself, I know how badly it affects self-esteem, so from one sugar addict to another, DON'T DO IT! Stay away, you've come this far, just keep going. I found this blog because for 2009 I am going to go sugar-free...glad to see someone else did it! I'll continue reading for inspiration when times get tough...good luck!!!

Clair said...

Good for you for not eating sugar...I feel better too and when I am off sugar I feel more in control. I can understand that moderation doesn't really work...the last two weeks I have been eating plenty of sugar...it is Christmas time and Thursday I will go off it again.

My Year Without said...

Thank you, thank you everyone!

LeAnn, You definitely sound adamant about staying away from sugar and your words are very influential!

Mrs. Jelly Belly, That is the exact kind of binge that I am afraid of, even with the strong intention to have just one bite of something!

Holist, Thank you for your encouragement, and be encouraged yourself! I can't wait to hear about your journey this next year going without! We'll have to compare notes!

Clair, I am curious how long you plan to go off of sugar...will it be a New Year's resolution, or do you take intermittent breaks from sugar?

My Year Without said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicole said...

Coming back to say, I don't even know you but I'm feeling SUPER HAPPY for you!!! :)

And you're right...YOU'RE THE WINNER!!!