I am a sugar-aholic.  There, I’ve said it. I’ve confessed. I love sugar. I love sweets and desserts.

Another confession: So far this year, I’ve gained 10 pounds.

Why? Probably a combination of too much stress and inactivity plus overeating. Food is a big part of my life as it’s a major social activity. I don’t belong to any mountain biking clubs. 

What scared me most is that I didn’tt feel in control of myself or my weight. And I don’t want to gain 10 pounds or more every year.

I was thinking about joining Weight Watchers but the thought of counting points, turns me off. And I really don’t like the group therapy feel to it although weighing in and being accountable is what makes it work.

I have been on WW before and even have a key, like so many other people who are now overweight again. 

Then I was thinking about going on South Beach Diet which I always lose weight on (from my stomach just like the book says) but feel so deprived after the two weeks that I always gain the weight back. 

The first two weeks of South Beach Diet doesn’t work for me because I like fruit. I eat an apple a day, plus a half of banana, and maybe some berries. These are not bad choices but they are not permitted on South Beach during the first two weeks.

So I decided to start by giving up sugar and white flour. Sugar means desserts, muffins, cookies, ice cream, sodas, lemonade, some cereals, jam, and ginger spread. I still allow myself Trader Joe’s frozen lime fruit floes (fruit bars) as they are 60 calories which would be one or two points on WW. Unlike a certain friend who said she eats two at once, I limit myself to one when I have them in my freezer. They have 16 grams of sugar per serving. That might sound like a lot but not when you think that one cup of vanilla non-fat soy milk has 11 grams of sugar.

Sugar is really in everything, even things we don’t think about.

I also decided to give up white flour so no white bread or breads with white flour, pasta, pizza (unless whole wheat).  I love bread.

These are good starting points. After I refrain from sugar and white flour for a few weeks (so far it’s been 6 days), I will add other things.

I have to pat myself on the back as so far this week I have gone out to breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner plus been invited to dinner. I have abstained from pancakes at a pancake breakfast and actually sausage too because it looked too greasy. The glass of OJ gave me a sugar rush.

I’ve shared a hamburger with friends but didn’t eat the bun. Last night I passed on warm crusty bread and ice cream for dessert. This may not sound like much to your eyeballs but to me, I have moved mountains. Food has a starring role in my life so I have to learn how to manage it better. I hope to continue moving mountains this week plus move my legs and hips more and get that heart rate going. Last week I was a physical slug except to walk the dog.

Here’s some interesting thoughts about sugar.

I will be checking in from time to time about my progress. (Note: I said progress not fall from grace.) If you have any words of encouragement, please pass them along.