Weight a Minute: Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

When last we saw Tristi, she had just given up sugar. (Cue melodramatic music) A sugar addict for most of her life, she had come to a point where her dependence on sugar was making her incapable of dealing with life's challenges on her own terms and with her own strength. How has our heroine done? Did she conquer the savage beast, or did she succumb, sinking back into her pit of despair and despond, a box of donuts clutched in her arms?

Sounds like a soap opera, but you know what, that's not too far off from the truth. I've hit upon a really interesting realization this week, and you know me, I'm anything but quiet. I will share.

When we medicate ourselves with sugar, the drama in our lives is heightened. Sugar is a hallucinogen, and when we have a lot of it in our systems, it makes it harder for us to deal with life. When I first started my sugar-free challenge, I didn't think I was going to make it. I knew that as soon as I hit my first big crisis, I'd be running screaming for the 7-11 on the corner, ready to rob the place for a candy bar, if need be. I was just waiting for that moment, and you know what, it never came. When I don't have sugar in my system, I can handle life a lot better.

I went dessert-free for two full weeks, and on the 15th (the only reason I remember the day is because that was our Valentine's Day date) I had a small frozen yogurt cone after dinner. It tasted good, but you know what, it wasn't heavenly. This last Saturday, I had a small shake, and ended up giving about half of it to my son. I realized just today that I had gone a week between treats, and that, my friends, is a miracle in my life.

So let's take a look at this. When I'm off sugar, I can deal with my life better. I can go for two weeks without a treat, and when I have a treat, I don't even have to eat the whole thing. What a blessing. What an amazing, incredible blessing that has come into my life.

I have tried going off sugar before. I have tried going off chocolate before. Each and every time, I relied on myself to do it, and each time, I failed. I can't even tell you the difference it has made to bring God into the equation, and to have a support system like we have here on Families.com. I'm now over five and a half months chocolate free, and my reliance on sugar is a thing of the past. Sure, I'll still have a small treat from time to time, but you know what, it doesn't even sound good to me right now. Again, a miracle. It can be done - I'm absolute proof of that.

Related Blogs:

Making Friends with Food

The Hair of the Dog

Society's Obsession with Food

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I am a stay-at-home mom, author of eight published books, a freelance editor, and the mother of four incredible children. I enjoy scrapbooking, watching good movies, and taking naps.

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