So you are armed with information…you feel good and you are moving forward. Right?
Well, at least this is how I feel. I have had a couple friends say that it is all “a problem of will power.” You don’t get it.
I have had friends say “just don’t put it in your mouth or stop.” You don’t get it.
I have had friends say “just be aware of what you are putting in your mouth.” You don’t get it.
And it’s OK with me if you don’t get it…I am not you. I don’t have your “will power, your awareness, your mindset” I have mine. And yes…the frosted animal crackers that are in the cupboard…they scream my name at night and scratch on the inside of the cupboard door.
So here’s the sticking point, I have tried all of the awareness pieces. I have tried will power, I have tried lots of stuff that you wouldn’t fathom…and it has been difficult. So I am not saying “Yeah! Total addict over here! Come poke the addict! Want some sugar Charlie?” I am not trying to glorify this position…I am just amazed that the information I have read so far has “clicked” for me and explained some feelings, some depression, some guilt, some challenges I have had in my life…annnnnnd I thought I would share.
Willpower? Got it. Ever run 100 miles? Willpower. Ironman? Willpower. Don’t ever talk to me about willpower and “lack there of” when I have done these things but stuggle to keep the damn Lindt Bar out of my hand and from springing open. Its from two different sources of willpower (physical and biochemical)…and maybe you still don’t get that…so oh well…and big sigh.
Talk to yourself to “not eat something.” Done it. I reach for the refidgerator or start wandering around the house when I am home looking for something to eat (boredom) and the voices in my head say: ” You don’t need to eat anythig right now” and yet there have been times when I eat it anyway…and it has been something sweet.
So here’s where I stand with me now:
- I am working on cutting all of the sugar out of my diet. This includes all the white stuff (flour, processed sugar, white breads and pastas made with refined white flour, packaged high-calorie snack foods (even tortilla chips make me swoon for sweets), high-fat convenience foods, packaged cakes and cookies, boxed meal, breakfast cereals, processed meats). Safe to say I don’t eat much of this anyway…but the processed stuff I really got it in for. I am doing my best not to say “forever” but “just for today.”
- Eliminating overt sweets. I have kids…kids by nature love treats. I am staying away from them. I have been good at eliminating high fructose corn syrup from our house for the most part, and thought “well, at least we will have real sugar!” Not a too bad a switch, but not so hot for me.
- Looking more into covert sweets. I guess I have been a pretty good label reader, and now it’s on like Donkey Kong and Dancing Prawns at Dawn. For real though…I didnt’t know there was so many ways to cloak the same substance. Check the alternate names for sugar…for me I just thought I was eating healthier…brrrrnt (that’s a buzzer sound). I was still just trading sugar for sugar.
- I have a more healthy approach to what I am trying to accomplish. I have been made aware by my own education and have a bit of a direction to go. Work on the healthy diet, work on the healthy lifestyle (again), and eat things with purpose and intention. I now look at most food a bit differently.
- I am going to be gentler with myself and understand that this is a challenge for me. I will control the sugar I can control…there are times when it is impossible, but I will be good to myself and be prepared and creative in alternatives.
- I am going to pay attention to what food tastes like in my mouth and what types of sensations it provides (sugar? salt? desire?).
- My goal last year was to get to 180 pounds and less than 10% body fat. I got to 182 pounds and 12% but never really felt “lean” and it was a struggle to get there. My goal for this year is 177 pounds and 9%…and I know I can do it. My approach is different. I’ll share that with you tomorrow…it’s very different, even from my Ironman days.
I read in some book the other day that the average New Englander eats 6 pounds of ice cream every year…wow…gonna be an interesting summer coming up.
Love to hear from you in responding to this post or at Charlie@4seasonfitness.com
Peace, Charlie
Hey Charlie,
Great article. I haven’t done many endurance races in the past two years, but I’m signed up for Vineman this year. I know how you feel. I have kept the pounds away, but 2 years of so-so exercise still allowed 10 pounds to creep in.
Processed sugar is everywhere! I set aside at least 1 day a month (I hope to make this a weekly thing) where I don’t eat any refined sugar (white, brown, etc.). Honey is not a processed sugar. I point this out because my head starts to hurt as my brain looks for some simple carbs. I’ve replaced the sugar cravings with fruit and/or honey.
Like you said, be kind to yourself. You’ll fall off, but the important part is how quickly you recover and get back on.
Hey there Rommel! Thanks for the encouragement! Last time I raced was Western States in 2007, so I know what you mean! Awesome for setting aside some time where you are sugar free! The refined stuff is a killer for me, and I wouldn’t say that I eat a ton…but when I do…it’s on like Donkey Kong. I have had a tough time replacing stuff (i.e. with honey), mainly because it primes me to want more… and more…and more. so I try and stay away from the overt sugars and manage the covert sugar as much as I can. I also try and be kind since as you point out…its not how you fall, but how well you recover. That’s the one positive thing I do like about food choices…you can make a new one every 2 hours or so if you really screw up. Great to hear from you brother! All my best, Charlie
Hey, Charlie, I admire your courage in sharing your experiences. Who knows, you may not persuade those who tell you to buck up, but maybe you’ll inspire people like me to take some additional actions.
I really relate to your experience of training but not feeling fit – I’m a machine on the elliptical trainer and can cycle centuries on consecutive weekends. But my trousers stay tight and my arse could double as an aircraft carrier for a third world country.
Keep up your good works. Your approach seems just right for you…I’ll be following your progress.
Good luck!
Joe
Thanks Joe! I look forward to chatting with you one of these days to get caught up! keep up keeping it up! Charlie
Charlie,
I admired your honesty in the above. Who would have know. It helps me realize I need to be more empathetic with my husband. Even though I have the same cravings, my body reacts differently then his, and I have had more room to indulge and not seen much changes. But as I get older, my body is changing and I am finding that sugar can be described as “legal crack.” I think it might be worse. First it is legal, second, you can get it everywhere and it is a rejoiced, celebratory substance. Have a party, eat cake, celebrate something, eat sugar!!! Also, I have found that in the years we are with raising children and all the physical and mental energy it exerts, sugar is the quick pick me up to keep up the energy. Bad energy that it is…
I am excited to see how your journey goes this year. I know my hubby was interested to hear about your findings and will definitely learn from the journey you have and will be on!
Good luck my fellow Ironman. Our mind is such a powerful thing!!!
Love,
Jenny (aka – Carbo Queen since my teens)
JLy! The Carbo Queen…I love it. It has hit me like a freaking frying pan in the face…since reading “Potatoes Not Prozac” and starting on the steps…I feel pretty empowered. I was shopping yesterday and happened to walk down the candy isle…crazy…my mouth was watering and I had to get the hell out…it was nuts. I have felt that before but never really “noticed it.” You are tottaly right, it is everywhere and it’s tough to go to anyone’s house and not find it in something…and I agree it’s easy to slip with having kids around. I used to think that I was drinking coffee for the caffeine…nope…for the cream and sugar. I guess that’s why I always felt shitty after going out to breakfast. I used to attribute it to lots of food, but it was actually to the lots of sugar in the coffee and then the huge crash and then the guilt…would love to chat with KDawg when he is ready. Love to you, Charlie