So, I just stumbled across my own blog accidentally. I guess I had basically given up on it. But I just read all of my posts, and even though I'm the only one who reads them, it was pretty cool to see them all. So, maybe I'll stick with this blog a little longer. I swore off Facebook for a week (embarrassing acknowledgment), so I will write on my blog instead. I have gone 2 weeks and 4 days with NO SUGAR. Other than the time I quit sugar a billion years ago, this is a new world record for me. I am very excited! Here's how I did it.
I went to a hypnotist. I was desperate. It was basically a last ditch effort. In short, it worked. I googled hypnotists in D.C. and found two. I called the first guy and he just sounded totally loopy on his answering machine so I counted him out. The other listing was for a woman with a PHD in psychology who does both psychotherapy (basically talk-therapy) and hypnotherapy. So, no head scarves, crystals or crystal balls in this story, but following our first session I have not touched sugar. Now, don't get the idea that hypnotherapy means no effort on your part, that couldn't be farther from the truth. But combining all of my tactics, strategies, frustration and knowledge with the hypnotherapy I've been successful. On the other hand. I do like to believe it is somewhat magical because it helps me believe that going back to sugar is not an option due to forces much larger than my shitty willpower.
How do I feel? Great. I don't wake up with headaches. I don't pass out on the couch like a zombie. Just shy of 3 weeks of sugar free, my cravings have already decreased. The thought of sickeningly sweet cookies just isn't appetizing to me lately. I am of the belief that sugar is addictive. I am also of the belief that addicts, like myself, cannot tolerate any form of the substance to which they are addicted to without falling victim to it's death grip. So, just as a serious alcoholic cannot drink just one beer once in a while, I am avoiding sugar in all of it's forms. This means looking at the ingredients of everything I buy and not eating it if there is any sugar, corn syrup, brown rice syrup etc, etc. I eat very little processed food to begin with, but I found that even some of the types of bread at the Whole Foods bakery I used to buy has sugar, so I switched to their Jewish rye, which has none. I am not eating ketchup. I am avoiding honey and artificial sweeteners. (Unfortunately, I am still chewing sugar free trident gum at work, but I'll get there..)
The bad news is that I still overeat at night, but I am trying to focus on the positive right now. I'll never feel safe from sugar, but I am so excited to have broken the two week benchmark. This is a huge accomplishment.
I have more strategies to share on why this time has been successful. Until next time..
