Today was a pretty BIG day for me, I’ll tell you why. Thirty days ago I agreed to a sugar-free challenge with a very close friend of mine – someone I consider to be an older sister, a person I have a lifetime’s worth of respect for. I am so happy that I agreed because, today marks DAY 30 and therefore the end of the challenge, yet the beginning of a brand new lifestyle for my wife (who was in on the challenge – and was totally amazing), our kids and I.To understate what, and how I feel… I can only but say that I feel, absolutely, amazing.
Don’t get me wrong, I won’t and cannot say that we went completely sugar-free, but the cut-back on our sugar intake was in my view notably significant. It is important to note, the principle behind our decision; to take back control from what we believe was dictating our eating habits, that completely dwarfs the nitty-gritties of this challenge.
Trust me, there are some of my very close friends who will remember me taking a whopping 8 – yes you read that right, I took EIGHT – teaspoons of the white stuff in my coffee up until 2002. In that same year I cut back that intake to a meager two in… just one decision. Then in 2007, with the encouragement of another amazing friend, I cut it right down to zero in [good] filter coffee and remained on two in any other forms of caffeine.
In addition to my passion for the powder in all things edible; I love cake, fizzy drinks, tarts, chocolates, the list goes on but guess what, I made it through 30 days without any of it and that in itself is amazing for me, Elridge.
I think what stands out for me about these last few days and what I’ve learnt from my personal experience, coming through what seems like a process is this. Sugar didn’t control me. It was me telling myself that I needed it, because of cultivated bad habits which I developed and nurtured over time. I realized that I am not dependent on anything unless I choose to be. Yes, nothing controls me until I decide to give it permission to do so.
Now, looking back, I am proud to sit/stand here -30 days later – knowing I’ve accomplished something which I (after I gave my yes) thought I would never get through. I’ve taken control of another area in my life and look forward to do the same in the next.
Truth is, I’ll only get one shot at this life, why not live it healthy, free and full of energy. Oh and I feel good, because this time… I’m doing this for me!
Image Source: http://goo.gl/cHj0zx
Elridge 
So true! Our minds can be our best friends or worst enemy! Well done with the 30 day challenge!
Thank you so very much for taking the time to leave the comment. Thanks also for the well wishes on the 30 day challenge. You are right about our minds. For me they are like naughty kids who needs to be kept on check. That’s about it. So I guess for me the process of checking mine has started with this challenge. All the best for you and yours and I’ll pop in at your site to see what I can learn from you. 😊