OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Sherrie, uh... I thought I was out after yesterday, I thought I was going to get 2 X's so I went to the health food store and bought energy buzz cookies that are made with honey... oops... I'm out now! I was kind of stressed out... so I got that and some fresh vegetable juice... Thanks for praying for me too... my rip tear with the medical community went remarkably well today and now just waiting for approval which I think is certain... ( but just in case, keep praying...) to be able to go to this Dr up at Stanford University... and get cyber knifed or gamma knifed (which ever they recommend) as soon as possible. And pray for my family too please

Hey, I'm still here even though I messed up 3 times I really really appreciate what I've learned here... and my awareness has gone up drastically! It'll be at least a week now until I hear from Stanford and then it'll be to make an appointment. So, I'll be around... I was going to get a 3rd opinion at UCSF but honestly I don't know what the point in that is... Stanford is really a good place to go. Tomorrow the quilt group is coming over... I have so much to do... I'm on ovewhelm.

liz

Hello Liz,
I understand Liz, I don't wish the stress level that you're at, on no one.
I'm happy that we're doing this challenge all together still. It really is about raising awareness of the chemicle soups out there. I don't trust our government, food manufactures, and food servers, when it comes to our food. That's why I rarely eat out. I buy and consume fresh and organic foods (as much as possible), and always prepare my own food. That way I have the peice of mind of knowing exactly whats in my meals. I've really come a long way from where I was at 374 pounds. Sometimes I ask myself who that person was. I always think to myself," That was the person screaming to get out and become the person you are today"
Wishing you a great day quilting!
TTYL, Sherri

[Porcelain]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Thanks guys! I am still thinking about those strawberries though. I will be glad when I move up to that rung.

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Don't worry, I'm sticking around!

This challenge is FASCINATING!

I don't really feel like a failure, because I *do* try to be aware of illegal ingredients all the time. (Though I'm not as much of a stickler as I thought, huh Joy? ) I'm not sitting here beating myself up or feeling guilty. Granted, the fruit salad thing was stupid. I was going to just leave the cream cheese plain, but Geoff made a horrible face when he tasted it, so out of habit I added a couple of drops of stevia, then he tried it again and I tried it and went "Oh ****" and realized I was out of the challenge for good.

It's frustrating that sugar (or some sort of sweetener) is in everything. Mayo especially makes me mad. Why on earth is there sugar in full-fat mayo? I can't buy any mayo around here that doesn't have sugar. I eat it so rarely that to make my own would be a waste--I made some this summer, ate it once or twice, and then it went bad (and made me sick).

One good thing from this and from Atkins is that I read labels now, religiously, and I'm training Geoff to read labels, though he's still a bit remedial. He has a habit of just looking for the word "sugar" or "HFCS" and forgets that evaporated cane juice and honey and malitol are sweeteners, too. But lord help him, he tries. He's been ditching preservatives and sweeteners with me for the last month, and he's noticed a HUGE difference in how he feels.

I guess what I've learned is that it will be a constant war, and sometimes I'll be victorious, and other times I'll lose. But I will never give up the fight.

Hello Julie,
I'm so glad you're staying along with us here. I think it's really cool that your G Man is watching his sweetners & perservatives too and notices a difference in how he feels.
I can so relate to you about reading labels. If I havn't checked it before, I read lables before it even gets in my shopping cart.
I teach middle school students about how to read nutritional labels at my daughters school as a guest each year. The students are more concerned about nutrition than what some may think. Especially when given the chance to talk about it and learn for themselves that they really do have healthier choices. I also teach them how many forms of sweetners to look for on lables. It's a fun class and I really enjoy being a part of educating our children about healthier choices.
I hear you on the mayo. I've gotten to a point now where I don't eat it at all. I reach for the sour cream or another good replacement if your in that rung is hummus.
Thanks for sticking with us.
Sherri

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Hi, everybody,
Liz, you are in my prayers.

Porcelain,

WOW! I am feeling proud because I did without mayo and I bought kosher salt, and look at what you did!! I am giving you a standing ovation!!
I am slipping on at work, on break, so I really have to go, everybody have a great, sweetener free day!!

Hello There,
So glad to see you checking in. How's it been going with you?
Sherri

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Joy, I won't just disappear. And if you're interested here it goes....

Yes, I do feel exactly the way you put it. I feel like I'm spending so much time (months, even years) spinning my wheels with the yo-yoing of the scale. I can pretty much tell you that I have spent about 90% of my life waging war against my cravings. And at the end it all leads to feelings of failure, disgust and regret. Oh yes, and self recrimination. I'm just using the same words you used cuz you're right. It Pisses Me Off too and not precisely because small amounts of sugar chemicals are spread everywhere, but because I am just weak. I can't say NO to sweets the way others do. That's why I'm fat and that's why I will continue to fight this war.

I know people that are toothpick skinny but they don't eat sweets per say or anything made out of flour. They're just not interested. You see. Come come I can't do that?

Hello Elsey,
You are not weak! You may be able to say NO to Sweets! But your body is saying MORE! That's because the addiction is still there. As long as you continue to feed the addiction, you'll always have it. That's why you've got to get PISSED OFF and get tough with what you want to allow yourself. Do you want to stop the cravings? Then stop eating the sweetners and all foods that contain them. Cleanse your body from the sweetners and I can promise you that you will not crave them anymore. It's the same smoking, it's an addiction. Not a right to have or just a pleasure, It's an ADDICTION! When you come to terms with it, and accept that you have an addiction, Then you'll be able to act on it and do something about it.
Those people you say walk around toothpick skinny that don't eat sweets or anything made of flour is because they kicked their habit of sweets and are no longer interested. Just like the smoker that quit cigs, They're not interested in smoking anymore either.
So you see, it's about addiction. Break your addiction from the sweet poisons, and you'll lose the cravings.
Love ya, Sherri

[Adena]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Hi, guys -- just getting caught up on everyone. First of all, (((Liz))) -- I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. My thoughts are with you and yours... take care.

How am I feeling? WEAK!! About sugar, artificial sweetner, a lot of stuff...

I agree with everyone that even though I'm out, I AM more conscience about ingredients now. And even though I do still sometimes use sweetners, I'm trying not to use them as liberally. I used to use my liquid splenda liberally, because it's completely carb-free and "harmless." Now I know it's not...

I'll keep following this challenge closely. I think you've opened a lot of eyes, Sherri -- look at all the traffic this thread has! I look forward to congratulating everyone who makes it to the end... you guys rock!

[Porcelain]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Hi everyone, I just wanted to show this item I found on the internet. I stopped drinking diet sodas a while back. I am glad I did.

****

Get ready to ditch your soda habit. I’m kicking Diet Coke — it takes time, and I’m down to five a week from a high of 12, but it’s worth it.

Here’s why: Recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners in soda may interfere with your body’s ability to estimate how many calories you’ve ingested, so you eat more than you need.

In a new rat study, animals that ate fake sugar consumed more calories overall and gained weight, compared to those that didn’t eat artificially sweetened treats.

This is just one study, but it’s enough to make me want to kick the can habit. Need more convincing? For every diet soda you sip daily, your risk of becoming overweight can rise by 37 percent, according to researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

We also know that regular soda is a total sugar bomb — most people I know gave it up long ago. At roughly 225 calories a pop, a 20-ounce bottle of regular soda packs nearly as many calories as a chocolate bar (but is much less satisfying).

Typically, soda also contains zero nutrients — so who needs it? Still have some soda around? Fine, stow it for guests who haven’t decided to quit. Next time you want a fizz hit, try seltzer with lime (or for a caffeine fix, green tea). What are your favorite low-cal soda substitutes?

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/heal...the-diet-soda/

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

I'll keep following this challenge closely. I think you've opened a lot of eyes, Sherri -- look at all the traffic this thread has! I look forward to congratulating everyone who makes it to the end... you guys rock!

You're so right Adena! So far, just today, we've had 126 views on this thread. We average anywhere from 150 to 200 views a day. We are difinately raising awareness of the sweet poison. Who knows Adena, maybe you can still cross that finish line with us sweet free. No time like the present to kick the habit. As far as I'm concerned, YOU ROCK!
Sherri

[ValidRouge]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Elsy, I 100% agree with what Sherri said. It is NOT a mental defect or a personality defect or a willpower defect, it is a CHEMICAL ADDICTION. Once you break the chemical addiction, it is SO MUCH EASIER to manage. However, that one little bite can be the "Kiss of Death" as Dr. A put it, because it readdicts us that quickly. Think about all these horrible drugs like crack, heroin, that are addictive from the first use (just one bite, just a little taste). If you're like me, you avoid that stuff like the plague, and would NEVER even "go there" with that stuff. Yet, we "go there" daily with just as addictive substance (sugar). Look at how hard people with drug addictions have to work, how many times it may take them to get it right, to finally get drug free. But, then they have to STAY drug free. That is equally as hard. Fortunately they don't put crack and heroin in almost all foods!!!!!!

With that said. *SIGH* I got my third X yesterday, so I am also out of the challenge. I'm going to keep going with it. Keep trying to get it right. Keep trying to exercise my demons.

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

------GOOD LUCK TO ALL -12- OF OUR CHALLENGERS------


OPERATION "SWEET CRAVINGS"

CHALLENGERS

Adena------------------------xxx (out of the challenge)
Alexa
asoprano1432-------------x
Elsey-------------------------xxx (out of the challenge)
guekjian
Hopejoy---------------------xxx (out of the challenge)
Julirama--------------------xxx (out of the challenge)
Mothercooter
Porcelain--------------------x
Seasands
Sherri
ValidRouge-----------------xxx(out of challenge)

[Porcelain]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

It took me all day yesterday to get the smell of that Disneyland candy out of my nose. It was tough too because my friend sent me home with a big box of chocolate for my family. It was that good chocolate too, (I think it is Whitman's) all I know it was good. But finally, by last night I was over it. There was one point in Disney when I was saying to myself "lots of people fall off and get back on...end up losing weight after the slip..." The other part of me was like "SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" My friends were really proud of me for sticking with it.

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Elsy, I 100% agree with what Sherri said. It is NOT a mental defect or a personality defect or a willpower defect, it is a CHEMICAL ADDICTION. Once you break the chemical addiction, it is SO MUCH EASIER to manage. However, that one little bite can be the "Kiss of Death" as Dr. A put it, because it readdicts us that quickly. Think about all these horrible drugs like crack, heroin, that are addictive from the first use (just one bite, just a little taste). If you're like me, you avoid that stuff like the plague, and would NEVER even "go there" with that stuff. Yet, we "go there" daily with just as addictive substance (sugar). Look at how hard people with drug addictions have to work, how many times it may take them to get it right, to finally get drug free. But, then they have to STAY drug free. That is equally as hard. Fortunately they don't put crack and heroin in almost all foods!!!!!!

With that said. *SIGH* I got my third X yesterday, so I am also out of the challenge. I'm going to keep going with it. Keep trying to get it right. Keep trying to exercise my demons.

You're right Joy!
This is going to be an ongoing challenge for LIFE! We have to be diligent in our fight agains the poisons that are in our foods. Also a fight to stay clean from them entering our body.
We're all on the right track folks. We're raising awareness for ourselves and everyone checking in on this challenge. Not only are we helping ourselves but so many here on the board. I'm proud of each and everyone of the challengers here. Keep learning and keep fighting!
Sherri

[Sherri]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

It took me all day yesterday to get the smell of that Disneyland candy out of my nose. It was tough too because my friend sent me home with a big box of chocolate for my family. It was that good chocolate too, (I think it is Whitman's) all I know it was good. But finally, by last night I was over it. There was one point in Disney when I was saying to myself "lots of people fall off and get back on...end up losing weight after the slip..." The other part of me was like "SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!" My friends were really proud of me for sticking with it.

THAT A GIRL! Challenge those ANTS (automatic negative thoughts)!
We are extremely proud of you Porcelain!
Sherri

[Porcelain]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Thanks. I have taken to eating boiled eggs when I have a craving. I did it yesterday and drank a lot of water. That makes me feel kinda bloated and then I don't want anything to eat because I don't like mixing anything with eggs.

[elsy]

Re: OPERATION "NO SWEETS" CHALLENGE

Elsy, I 100% agree with what Sherri said. It is NOT a mental defect or a personality defect or a willpower defect, it is a CHEMICAL ADDICTION. Once you break the chemical addiction, it is SO MUCH EASIER to manage. However, that one little bite can be the "Kiss of Death" as Dr. A put it, because it readdicts us that quickly. Think about all these horrible drugs like crack, heroin, that are addictive from the first use (just one bite, just a little taste). If you're like me, you avoid that stuff like the plague, and would NEVER even "go there" with that stuff. Yet, we "go there" daily with just as addictive substance (sugar). Look at how hard people with drug addictions have to work, how many times it may take them to get it right, to finally get drug free. But, then they have to STAY drug free. That is equally as hard. Fortunately they don't put crack and heroin in almost all foods!!!!!!

With that said. *SIGH* I got my third X yesterday, so I am also out of the challenge. I'm going to keep going with it. Keep trying to get it right. Keep trying to exercise my demons.

Very well stated Joy. I often compare my addiction with food with what drug addicts go through. I do this every single time I'm gorging over all kinds of evil stuff. It's reallly tough yet some people manage to stay clean for life. So then I think about that and I know I can do this too. The difference is that they hurt themselves and others around them. With food addicition, we mainly hurt ourselves. Well, unless we're really moody with all the carbs in our system and take it out on those around us. LOL! Don't you agree?

Oh and I love the last sentence on you post. "Keep tyring to exercise my demons." I agree.