I believe I’m on my 6th or 7th attempt at giving up sugar. I’ve read that for a sugar addict, giving up sugar can be as hard as quitting heroin. Perhaps maybe my addiction is not as bad as other people, but I’m not having a Trainspotting-like experience. Not at ALL. It’s not easy though. I am on day 6. Usually by day 7, things being to ease up.

I know I am more successful under the watchful eye of my wonderful nutritionist, so that’s why I’m working with her again this time.  Her suggestions last time kept me off “the sauce” for two months.  First I have to get rid of every scrap of refined sugar in the house.  After that it’s a matter of increasing protein intake to help me feel fuller longer and more satisfied (I’m still nursing, so I’m hungry ALL the time).  She also recommends adding in fruit and using agave or stevia to sweeten my coffee.  She feels like maple syrup is also OK but I feel like I’m too likely to abuse it, so it’s off the list for now.  I know a lot of addicts would also abstain from fruit and the agave/stevia, but I know myself well enough to know I can control myself with them.

Fortunately it’s high fruit season and strawberries are everywhere. They have been my saving grace right now.  When I feel a bad craving hit, I grab 4 or 5 strawberries and it helps. I’m not saying it’s easy, or that they’ve disappeared altogether, it just helps.

I also realized yesterday that in order for me to be successful, I need a reason beyond “its healthier” to quit sugar.  The truth is I really want to be around as long as possible for my little guy.  And something tells me that my intense sugar habit was not doing anything for my lifespan.  It definitely wasn’t doing anything for my waistline! Although my goal right now is not weight loss, it is simply getting over my sugar addiction (one step at a time!).  We’re still not completely certain that our family is complete yet as well. I want to be as healthy as possible if we decide someday we want to add a 4th family member.

I also want to lessen the control that sugar has over my life.  It really does/did have some serious control over me! I was wanting sugar after EVERY meal. Even breakfast! I would think about what sugary treat I wanted and not relax until I had it. Then I’d feel tremendously guilty.  It’s a vicious cycle and one I’d rather live without.

So here we are again. I feel determined and hopeful and I have a great support system to help me through.