Week 5 of the Faithful Finish Lines program brought about a much needed fresh start after a week of overdosing on turkey and other Thanksgiving fare.
I was ready for a start fresh and looked forward to week 5 until it was announced in our weekly Facebook Chat that this week was a no sugar week. UGH! Say it ain’t so! I inherited my sweet tooth from both parents. However, this is where Sara’s program differs from other diet and fitness programs – adopt this and every weeks goal to your life.
So instead of going cold turkey on sugar, just reduce it.
It’s a good thing this program is flexible because last week there was cheesecake – turtle cheesecake at the grief support group meeting.
Yes, I ate it and followed it with a cup of decaf coffee (without sugar). Both were heaven and a lovely way to end the day, a day spent back at the call center because the phone lines were busy.
I was at the call center both Monday and Tuesday and made it through both days with just cucumber water – no Pepsi (sugar).
I Had Dreams There Was Sugar In My Coffee
Wednesday morning I fixed a cup of decaf coffee and went to put sugar in it and remembered it was “no sugar” week so I put the sugar back in the container.Then I put the spoon in the mug and stirred the coffee as if I had put sugar in it. Yes, I played games with my mind. However, my taste buds were not fooled and could tell the coffee was plain black.
My taste buds and I reached a compromise – no more than 1/4 teaspoon of sugar in the coffee. Gone is the 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Instead Of Sugar
I once heard or read somewhere that when you have a craving for sugar you should eat a date instead. A packaged of Sun Maid Pitted Dates just happened to be in my kitchen cupboard. When I got a craving for something sweet, I ate 3 dates instead. By doing this I accomplished adding in more fruit to my diet in addition to not eating something sugary.
The dates did help with the sweet tooth, plus the fiber is beneficial as well. 😉
Now it is on to week 6 of this 7 week journey. Time is racing on by as it seems like just last week I started this journey. Stay tuned for week # 6 adventures and the 90/10 principle.
*Disclaimer: I was given free access to the Faithful Finish Lines program with the promise of blogging about my experience. I am not receiving payment of any other form and the opinions are mine alone.
JoyReturns 
I love that you invited me to “express myself!” You did great, Michele! Cutting that sugar is a big step. I am happy to report I have been able to cut out a great deal of sweets, myself. I think by exercising, I am motivated to leave off the sugar so that I don’t cancel out the calorie burn from the treadmill! I love the way you write! Simple and profound!
Madonna and I thank you for “expressing yourself.” Cutting sugar is the most difficult thing to do besides exercising. I’ve always been a simple writer, maybe not always profound but definitely simple.