Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Chocolate is definitely my vice. How about you? What is the one thing you can’t give up? Have you ever opened a bag of M&Ms or your favorite chips, telling yourself you are only going to eat a handful only to down the entire bag? Guilty as charged. There was a time when I would eat any sugar in the house until it was gone. My kids have always known that Halloween candy is to be shared with Mom and Dad.
Whether it is chocolate or something else, there is nothing worse than feeling like you can’t stop when you know you should. For me it goes straight past guilt and directly to shame. The voices tell me there must be something wrong with me. I’m left feeling ugly and unlovable. Can you relate?
There is substantial research that shows sugar sets the body into chemical spiral that can be very difficult to stop. I won’t go into the details, but a new book that explains it in great detail using evidence based research from peer-reviewed journals is The Calorie Myth by Jonathan Bailor. This book will give the details that a blog can’t do justice to.
So, am I addicted to sugar? Well, here is what I have learned. In an effort to get the weight off, I stopped eating refined sugar, honey, maple syrup etc. Anything that acted like sugar in the brain was out. It was tough for a couple of days and then I lost interest in it. I was shocked at how much of my life was being controlled by what I ate. The changes I felt internally, emotionally were remarkable. I began to really like how I was feeling. I was gaining energy and losing weight.
Then the holidays started to approach and the treats started to appear. I thought that I could have a little and be fine. Then the weight loss stopped and the cravings returned. I could no longer resist the temptation. I was eating all the things I knew I shouldn’t. It didn’t take long on that slippery slope before I went completely over the edge.
It was a valuable lesson. For me, sugar in moderation doesn’t work. Does this mean that I will never eat sugar again? No. It does mean I have found some bittersweet chocolate (very low sugar) to enjoy in small amounts. And, it means I daily renew my mind to stay focused when tempted. We are always going to be tempted. The enemy is always going to try to pull us off track. Now, I apply spiritual practices to enhance my nutritional aspirations. I ask myself if the consequences are worth it. I thank God every time I make a good choice to build my physical and spiritual stamina. I focus on the good. Essentially, I take these four ideas and the scripture from Philippians to stay on track.
1. Name it
2. Claim positive gains
3. Thankful for good choices
4. If I choose the treat, enjoy it and move on.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
These 4 mental attitudes along with the reminder of this scripture helps promote health and good choices.
How about you? How do you face temptation? What are your triggers? How do you get back on track? Share your thoughts and suggestions and let’s help each other.