Thinking About Giving up Sugar for a Bit

Recently we have been thinking a lot about our relationship to what it is we want and then how we go about getting it.  We led a workshop on this very topic recently and what we propose is that if a gal (or guy for that matter) has a desire for something (be it a break or less structure in her life or more fun) AND if she does not feel she has permission to have what it is that she wants, than she may act out with food.  In other words, she may be using food or drink as a filler.  Can you relate?  Have you ever wanted to stop cleaning your house or working on that project at work or school and felt you couldn’t and instead went and got a snack?  

As we hashed this topic out a bit in preparation for the workshop and as we heard from those who attended I realized that I have been doing this a lot recently.  I have been “treating myself” with food, specifically with sugary foods.  What became clearer to me is that since becoming a mom 2 years ago I have missed having leisurely time to myself, time where I could simply do what I wanted and what felt like sweet things to give to myself (wandering around the shopping district in the evening, reading on my couch, or spontaneously joining friends for happy hour, etc.).  And really, this is something I know I have been doing for a long time, using food as a way to be good to myself, to get that break, or to relax.  

I want to play with this a bit and would love a few friends on the journey to see what would happen if we traded the sugary treat for a real treat.  If I get clear about what I really want and go after it directly, a break, leisure time, or whatever, will the sweets lose their charm?  

This is a little experiment that has a few parts to it:
1. Identify what I want: For me I think it’s leisure time
2. Figure out how to get it as often as I need it: TBD
3. Let go of the habit that I was previously using as a filler: For me, the filler was sugar.  I was habitually going to the sweets to get the break/treat/leisure.  Particularly in the afternoon when the day can feel it’s longest, and at night when it is “my time.”  

So I am committing to going without sugar for 2 weeks beginning on Valentines Day.  I will be blogging about the coming 2 weeks and what happens when I let go of my favorite vice. I will try to keep the bitching to a minimum and I will offer some tools to help with the challenges.  Want to join me?  Great.  Here is how to begin:
1. Consider something you are craving more of in your life - more downtime, more fun, etc.  What is missing for you?
2. Reply with a comment to this post or another one on the same topic in the coming days to let me know I am not alone!
3. Prepare to stop eating sugar on Sunday, Feb 14th.  We will define "sugar" in the coming days. 
4. Stay tuned.  More blog posts on the way.  Check back often, every other day or so, or simply subscribe to the blog.