This weekend I watched a documentary on Netflix (I'm a sucker for documentaries) called Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It's basically about this guy who is, what the title says, and decides to go on a 60-day juice-only fast. It's extreme, which is why it's so entertaining.
The movie talked a lot about the food we eat. It was sort of the nail-in-the-coffin sort of deal for me. I've known for quite some time that I have a serious addiction to sugar. I love me some caffeine, we all know that, but I can go off it it without any serious symptoms or cravings (I do it regularly, just to be sure.) Regular or decaf, doesn't really matter...but sugar is a whole different story.
I knew I had a problem, and I knew I didn't want to give it up. It tastes so good.
My husband, the pastor, has also been preaching on idols...and how God hates them. HATES them. I'm always battling against idols...we all are...but this sugar/carb one has got. me. good.
Back to the documentary. Most people (including me) think this juice guy is crazy for doing it for 60 days, so he challenges them to 10 days. So I thought to myself...ten day, huh? The purpose of the fast it to get the junk out of your system in an attempt to re-train your taste buds.
So...I'm not on a juice fast...but I'm on a low sugar/carbs fast. Ten days. Today is day 2. Yesterday, I thought about sugar and carbs approximately 500 times per minute. My body kept saying to me...just a little bit, all you need is a little bit and you'll feel better...and I wanted to cave. So very bad. But every time my body whispered to me, it was just another sign of how desperately those substances are controlling me, and I am not designed and created to be controlled by anything other than my Heavenly Father.
Today, so far, is not much better. Sad. I contemplated drinking the maple syrup that's in the fridge door. I'm crabby, irritable, tired and all around unpleasant to be around. Lovely, no?
Here's an interesting article I read here.
I'll keep you posted on my progress...and, if you happen to battle an addictive personality...I get you.
- Sarah@Life in the Parsonage
- Wife to Ben, who also happens to be the Pastor of a sweet little church in a tiny little town. Mama to three boys and little Lucy. We live in the parsonage, 27 steps from said little church. This is the journey...it involves lots of run-on sentences.
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The Fringe Hours
hey, I enjoy your blog! and I am so with you on this post. I wish you the best on your fast. I also, just wanted to casually suggest that the fresh juice in your system will be one of the agents that helps break this addiction. Carrot juice rocks!! Seriously, not telling you what to do because I don't know you...I only tell my kids and husband what to do! lol...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post...someone was just talking to me yesterday about sugar...hmmm...maybe God is talking to me too.
One final casual suggestion...www.hacres.com. It is a fantastic (yet too extreme) website about raw vegan living from a Christian perspective and the testimonies are many and inspiring.
Blessings on you!
I have a friend who was having some pretty major health issues. She switched to juicing, and in a month, every single issue she had vanished! She juiced three meals a day and had a lean organic protein with lunch. CRAZY STUFF!
ReplyDeleteI have done the south beach before...try the sugar free fudge cycles in a few days or you might go into convulsions!
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that. You are right, it is one of the hardest things to do in life. I can lose 25 lbs and feel better about myself. All it takes is too much tension, pressure or stress and I reach for a honey bun or something comforting. I am trying to do better as well so good luck.
ReplyDeleteOdie
I went on the Atkins diet a few years back which includes the low carb/no carb thing. It truly is an addiction. My family said I was really really cranky during the detox part of it but once you get a week or two into it, it really does get easier. Promise!
ReplyDeleteSarah, I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. What helped me was frozen grapes for a quick fix, but if the craving was absolutely unbearable I allowed myself one type of sweet... For me it was dark chocolate. 2-3 weeks into it I didn't even want sugar anymore. It's been 12 years since I've felt like sugar had a hold on me. (sounds weird, but you know what I mean! ). Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy what we let creep in as idols! I'm right there with you...sugar, Target, shoes..so easy to lose sight of what and who I'm truly living for! Thanks for the great reminder to surrender those idols!
ReplyDeleteI did some research before Lent last year... Coffee withdrawal lasts about 2 days... Sugar 21 days. UGH. Go figure. I decided I would just ease up. I could have sugar...just no snacks...so for example I could have dessert ~ but only one time a day... and it had to be in one serving. (Basically, no walking by the cookie jar 3 times and calling that a 3 cookie dessert.) Also, no walking by the candy jar at work and taking out 'just one'. It was hard, but rewarding... (but ended Easter morning and not a moment longer.)
ReplyDelete