Sugar and Shred Update

Captains Log–No sugar, Day 4:

Sugar fast has so far been successful.   To be clear it hasn’t been a strict “all things sugar” fast, but an all treats fast.  I’ve still had jam on rolls and honey and such, but no treats.  Here’s what I’ve noticed.  I’m really hungry.  I’ve come to realize that a substantial part of my diet includes treats, so when those are removed I’m actually hungry.  Which is sorta new for me.  I don’t usually eat out of hunger, I usually eat because I’m craving something or because the clock tells me it is the appropriate time for a meal.  But now I noticed that when meal time rolls around (mmmm, rolls) I’m actually hungry.  Interesting.  While I’m still excited for Sunday–when I plan on breaking my sugar fast with a banana cream pie–it hasn’t been that bad.  Fortunately I like healthy food.  Always have.  I love vegetables.  Love them.  Fruit is good too.  I just happen to like chocolate, cookie dough and cake as well.  

Besides the health benefits this has been really good for me mentally.  I was beginning to think I wasn’t capable of going without sugar for a day.  I had half-heartedly tried it before to no avail.  So when I decided out loud and for reals-ies this time to go a whole day without sugar it actually felt like a big accomplishment.  Once I knew I could do a day, a week hasn’t been that bad at all.  A lot of it was just getting over that mental hurdle.  The first day was the hardest and I already feel happier with myself knowing I have the discipline necessary to avoid sweets.  

Also, I wanted to give an update on my shredding with Jillian.  If you remember I started working out to Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred video around Christmas.  I wouldn’t exactly say I’m shredded, but I definitely notice a difference.  I’m stronger.  I can feel muscles in my arms again.  They may be small muscles, but they’re there.  I have a lot more endurance during the workouts as well, but they are still tough work outs.  I actually have sweat dripping off my face during level 3!  Which is awesome because I’ve now joined the club of people-who-work-out-so-hard-sweat-drips-off-their-face like Rocky and Kevin Bacon in Footloose.  I also like that each work out is only 20 minutes long so while I prefer to do the workout before the girls wake up that doesn’t often happen but it’s short enough that they can just hang out while I’m working out.  And in fact sometimes Princess Sparkle works out with me using small cans of tomato paste for her weights.  It’s pretty cute.  I’d definitely recommend this video for a quick and butt-kicking workout. You can also download it from itunes–which is what I did.   

Is anyone else going sugarless or shredding it up right now too? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experience.