Watching dad die from cancer made me realize that we are all going to have cancer at some point if we don't try to prevent it. Not that all cancers can be prevented. But a lot of them can and the lifestyles that help prevent cancer also prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, etc.
For awhile I felt that maybe the no sugar thing was too restrictive and would be bad for my kids. I was worried about being too extreme. But after 8 years, I can tell you that I need to do what works for me, and they can choose what works for them as long as most of what we have at home and for meals is good, I'm fine with what they choose while they are out. I'm 30+ lbs more than I used to be and that is something that needs to be addressed. No sugar was honestly my favorite way to eat well.
So I feel freshly motivated to make some changes. Its been such a great summer! I didn't plan much for the kids. And I'm loving that! I take Monet to cross country every morning (great alarm clock!) but my days are really open. I have missed this! I'm going to cut back on some things in my life once school starts so that I can have more time this year.
Having Monet drive and having her at the high school will help. No gymnastics will help too! Last year was so busy!
My top ten reasons to cut out sugar:
1. Prevent Disease--I have this nagging feeling that I'm going to die young if I don't change things
2. More energy--I love starting out the day with a workout and a good breakfast
3. More calories for more nourishing food
4. Look younger
5. Not look like I have a boob job. Lol. Seriously though, 30lbs and an inordinate amount has settled on my chest and its embarrassing. I miss fitting in clothes and normal swimsuits.
6. Run faster!
7. Wear running shorts again. I miss my legs. I had pretty strong legs! They are still strong, but my muscles are buried.
8. Clothing options--I have the progressive closet going on right now. So many clothes that don't fit.
What worked for me before: Honestly I forget sometimes what worked so I'm writing it down so I can remember.
1. Didn't spend lots of time obsessing over calories
2. Ate broccoli everyday usually at lunch
3. Ate blueberries everyday--favorite snack was frozen blueberries in milk
4. Tons of beans! Like a lot. I love beans (not from a can) because they are so filling.
5. Had healthy snacks on hand like handful of raw unsalted almonds and raisins.
6. Better carbs: Sweet potatoes, whole wheat instead of white flour
7. An apple nearly everyday
8. Fish oil supplement daily (carlsens lemon)
9. Green smoothies in the morning.
I was also running marathons and ran about 4 miles most mornings and had a long run on Saturdays.
I didn't obsess about calories from nuts and olive oil but I didn't go crazy on them either. I didn't eat butter, we honestly just never really bought it. We didn't buy red meat often. Only very rarely.
But you know how you hear all these crazy things about what is good for you and whats not? Well those things sideline me from my goals. Like when someone said that beans are bad for you. Or that you shouldn't eat nightshade vegetables. I don't think that food has to be that complicated. And it really is hard to be super limited.
For me, no sugar is not that big of a deal. Its not having dessert. But I can still eat most of the same dinners, snacks, etc. I'm not trying to lose a lot of weight quickly and I don't expect that. But I do think not eating sugar is a big boost for me in making better food choices. Its really definitive. Sometimes that is what I need! I'll eat great for a week, then slowly go back to eating too much junk. When I know I've committed to no sugar, it makes the boundaries of what I will and will not eat really clear.
