For all of us who’ve always struggled to maintain a civilized relationship with sugar (and failed time and time again…) more and more research is backing up the addictive nature of sugar. My clients know intimately how difficult it is to eat certain foods in moderation- they are typically the refined and processed carbohydrate based-foods, that go into our systems as pure sugar. And the “hit” is very much drug-like for those of us whom are sensitive (yes, that’s definitely me).
When well meaning friends and family sweetly ask (sorry, pun sorta intended), “Can’t you just have a little/slice/piece/bite/taste and go back to your ‘diet’ tomorrow?” I have to resist biting (oops) their heads off. I want to say “would you tell a heroin addict or an alcoholic to try to just have a little?”
It’s hard being so vulnerable to what is widely considered a highlight of “life’s pleasures”… it’s hard not to feel like a rigid crusading grim-faced type who has no love of anything fluffy or delicious or frivolous- which heaven knows is NOT me! I love all that stuff- but there’s nothing pretty about a sugar addict who is actively “in” the sugar. Nope- addiction is not pretty, and addicts are not known for their dainty appetites.
Within the private realm of my membership site, the Intuitive Body Sanctuary, we joke about things like polite eating of sugar-laden things! I remember one member talking about how when attending a dinner party where cupcakes were passed on a tray for dessert, her only thought was about how she might be able to whisk the entire tray off to a private spot to polish them off herself. Addiction makes you crazy, and feeling out of control never does much for your self-esteem, God only knows.
If you truly know yourself to be a sugar addict, you have a couple of options. You can try try and try again to manage your cravings and the nagging experience of longing for more sugar as best you can, knowing that no amount of good character, polite upbringing, or intelligence is going to matter much in your efforts.
Or you can be done with the whole mess… this is a really hard choice. I have had clients weep at the possibility of giving up their drug. Which it really is for many of us. It is so hard to choose this, in our culture while we are presented with images of crazy-skinny women at the same time we are bombarded by images of richer more decadent things to put in our mouths. We are an insane culture in so many ways, but this particular post is not a rant about society or the media.
What I can tell you though is this, and it’s my personal experience and truth. When you get rid of the sugar (even ketchup and bacon are loaded, not to mention all alcohol- which really bummed me out…) you will soon feel better. You will be clear, have real and sustainable energy levels, and you will once again feel able ot manage your choices in life. You will be out of the addict-experience, which is like a full-fledged evil entity possession- something that makes you do things that you would never do otherwise. Things like eat your childrens’ halloween candy and lie about it. Ok, that’s the only one I am admitting right now. But you will have your sanity and your dignity back. And your integrity. And the body that may be hidden under extra weight, or inflamed tissues, or all sorts of symptoms associated with inflammation, which sugar truly creates.
And if you need help doing this, making or sticking with the choice, know that there is help for you. Even a community for you (http://www.IntuitiveBodySanctuary.com), with real solutions and tons of support.
So, in the midst of the season of overeating and immediate regret, take heart. You are not alone, and your sense of being “addicted” are real and now backed up by science, and there is help to sweeten your journey.
I want that for you-
love and xox
Lisa
Leave a Reply