Sugar Blues
I’m sure the part of me that likes sugar is wondering what the hell is going on. Last night I dreamed that I stole pudding from ladies on the street, like snatched it right from their hands and started eating it while running away. Later I entered a bus with a fruit and yogurt bar and I just picked up a spoon and started eating. An attendant asked me to let her serve me and I said “fuck you” and kept eating.
Man, sugar withdrawal can suck real bad.
So, the Mr. and I watched this program by Gary Taubes this weekend. He’s the author of “Good Calories, Bad Calories” and it’s not like this is a new story. I’ve heard this said time and time again that sugar spikes in the blood causes the body to produce insulin, and insulin aids the body in storing fat. What I didn’t realize that having a diet that is primarily based upon carbohydrates is the same as eating tons of sugar every day. In fact, in studies of poor and malnourished societies, about 30% of the population is obese…which makes total sense because 30% of the population has an endomorph body type (the body type that stores fat more easily.)
The nice thing is that I no longer have to starve myself. I eat about 1400-1600 calories a day, but I’ve eliminated all processed sugar, all grains, and the following fruits: bananas, mango, and watermelon. So everything else is available.
Unfortunately, finding sauces and salad dressings without sugar is a major pain in the neck. Even mayonnaise has sugar in it. I have to make everything by scratch….but hey, such is life. Luckily, the Mr. has agreed to be on the diet as well so I don’t have to deal with sugary snacks tempting me in the house. There’s enough temptations at work: I have a lady who sits next to me that passes around a big bag of skittles every meeting and there are fresh pastries being brought in almost daily here….so I’m going to have to be strong at work.
So far, I feel great, except for the wicked headache I’m sporting, and the restless nights laying away craving sugar. Yesterday, I was able to swim over an hour and a half with no problems of dizziness or fatigue. I also bicycled an hour around town to work off some restless energy…so I want to be active - which honestly, is a first because I usually have to drag myself to the gym. I feel full all the time because I'm eating plenty of eggs, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, but this sugar craving just makes me feel like something is missing. It's wierd, I'm not hungry, just very restless. It's a very wierd feeling.
Well, we decided we will try this out for a month and see what happens. We might relax the rules in a month if I don't see any weight loss improvement and have problems sleeping, but so far it's manageable. The Mr, is doing great on the diet, though. No cravings, no problems...he was always a lucky with regards to metabolism and diet. :-/
Here’s to new beginnings.