Since I joined in 2008, I've started several Check In threads. This afternoon I went back and read them.
Some posts were about sticking to Vanilla S(I'm gonna complete a 21 day challenge!). Some posts had tweaks (a desert a day!). Sometimes I would make declarations ( I've conquered my afternoon snack habit!).
Reading my No S history left me feeling a bit melancholy. I'm someone who likes to set goals and conquer them. How can it be that 6 years have passed and I'm still trying to get these 3 little rules to stick?
As I re-read my posts, I noticed a common denominator. Whenever I stumble, some form of sugar is involved. Through the years, I've switched from the white stuff, to honey or agave, finally to the sugar substitutes, like stevia. No matter the form, it triggers my downfall.
All the red days on my HabitCal involve sugar. When I have failures in a No S Challenge (like the one I'm doing for April), the foods involve sugar.
If I want to succeed as a No S'er, I know what I need to do. I have to kick sugar to the curb. Not just for 5 N days a week. I need to commit to a long enough time period to make a real change.
No sugar for a year.
I know this seems contrary to the "Embrace Moderation" guidelines of our group (I even started an old blog with that title). As much as I tried, I can't seem to moderate my sugar intake. I know that I'm better off without it. After 12 months, I'll see how I'm doing and re-evaluate.
I guess the moderation portion will be that I will eliminate foods with added sugar. Fruit will still be part of my diet.
With as many starts and stops as I've had, I will be cautiously optimistic. I will commit to maintaining this blog. I will write about the good stuff as well as the bad.
It's only 365 days, how hard could it be?
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)