Today in our group we were posting about how to work through traditions on special occasions. With Valentines ahead, someone shared their tradtion that included a sugar filled weekend away with her husband. (hello...it IS Valentine's Day) This person has been doing a sugar detox and knew it wasn't a good idea to vary from her detox since she had been faithful for 3 full weeks and was still feeling the need for sugar. I wondered how to reply, as my mind went in so many directions.
My thoughts:
First, on any strict regimen, (whatever it is...diet, alcohol reform, exercise regimen, writing a term paper, becoming gluten free) sooner or later, something blows up! Emotions, a big cheat, a breaking of the rules, etc. Without an escape hatch, you're headed for "a demise" as perfect and as determined as you might be. To avoid that, a plan to look forward to, or work towards, (your escape hatch) usually helps avoid the "disaster" moment. With that said, depending upon your "reason for doing whatever it is you're working towards, or the WHY" helps you know which path to take, (exactly what your escape hatch can look like) to avoid "that oncoming temptation, that sets you back." It feels soooo good at the moment and then poof, it's gone and dissapointment sets in. Is this making any sense?!
With that said, and reading that her WHY is to get off SUGAR or sugar detox, which is NO EASY TASK, and knowing she will need an escape hatch at some point...it's time to figure out what type of plan can be in place. As another member kindly stated, can this be your cheat meal time? On many programs you do get a cheat meal to "let some steam out of that escape valve so you can keep from blowing up" and then continue forward. The regimen that I happen to be on, includes a "cheat meal" every three weeks, for 2 hours. It's actually proven that for continued weight loss, this is good, as it resets your body which has learned your "lean ways" and starts to slow down with the weight loss. (of course you can add more excersie etc, this is just one factor!) All of a sudden you throw your body a curve ball, it wakes up, and starts losing again. Win-Win However, with her goal of sugar detox, and I am not completely the official source here, I don't know what the "rule" is. Is she following a book that might have a chapter on this?? Can she substitute a sugar substitute (even though she doesn't like "that kind of sugar?")
Here's the Best News....she tipped your hat in her comment back to our group this morning, by saying she wants to focus on what's most imporant, time for her and her husband, not the food. Wow! There are super fun and creative, even romantic solutions, to get her to "the other side" with a smile on their face(s) and a sugar free Hasta La Vista Belly! (our group name!)
So here is my comment back to her, nothing official, just from my heart: Alternative choices! You have a super fun tradition! Traditions can always continue with new chapters or temporary chapters! You can relive the original chapter another year...it's not a chapter that an editor deletes! Write an additional chapter to this tradition! Write it together with your hubby. (it doesn't have to be physically written...just created and planned, duh, you know that) It might involve a new location, different activities, new jammies (blushing) It might involve board games or card games or puzzles. It might even involve food but different food. What can you eat in bed instead of that popcorn, during that movie? What's on your eating plan and how can you make it creative? Ever had a food picnic in your bed? It's more about planning ahead and doing something different...the creativity is up to you guys...just don't wait 'til you go on your trip and start feeling deprived that I/we "can't do what you used to do." Have something to look forward to that still makes the trip "exciting!" If you're walking out the door right now...swing into a store and get creative together! Keep that end goal in mind. Why are you sugar toxing...(you don't have to answer, that was rhetorical) If there is a specific reason...hold on to that together!
I had just started my major weight loss journey last year on January 22nd, or 2014. My 55th bday was Feb 5. Hmmm...what about that traditional carrot cake I love? Not gonna happen. Alternative was 2 sugar free jellos(instead of 1) with lots of sugar free/dairy free whip cream and my traditional birthday candles! Was it carrot cake, no! But I laughed and celebrated and on Feb 6 I felt GREAT! (an oh by the way...I'm sure you'll pass a store that sells that whipped cream! Buy a little cooler...who needs jello...or popcorn!)
How to exchange your cokes? How about sugar free hot chocolate with dairy free/sugar free whipped cream on top? Swiss Miss makes that mix in packets. It might not be the best tasting thing in the world, but it's something and you and your hubby might laugh and laugh and look forward to the year you can switch back to coke or try something completely different! Hotel rooms have coffee makers...just put the water in and brew up some hot water for your new alternative!
I am just so stinking proud of you for staying the course...If you weren't that dedicated or focused or determined, you wouldn't even be "wondering, stressing, planning" how to make this weekend different and or still special...you'd convert to your old ways, as most of us do, and say...I'll start again on Monday. STAY STRONG! To infinity and Beyond! Happy Valentine's Day! <3