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Thursday, October 18, 2012

"Shake the Sugar" Challenge



I saw a gal make a post recently about how she had cut back her sugar intake, felt better, and in her words, her "muffin top was starting to disappear."  It got me thinking about how much (hidden) sugar is in a good majority of the foods in our society.  So I started snooping around in our pantry and fridge at the foods that enter my family's mouths.  Sugar was in the whole grain pasta, pasta sauce, 100% whole wheat bread, 3-ingredient pretzels, e.v.e.r.y.w.h.e.r.e!  Next thought, what if I try to go without a drop of sugar for 21 days?  How would I feel and look?  Next thought, what if others wanted to jump in on this challenge, too?

I rock a pretty clean diet, but periodically I enjoy my treats.  This past week we had a Real Estate and family party at our home with Paradise cookies, and chocolate covered rice krispies, marshmallows, and pretzel sticks made by a seasonal treat shop in our area.  Of course, I tried them all, which is way off my usual routine.  Needless to say, I had not been feeling very well a few days after, BUT my cravings for sugar started to increase soon after.  Why?  Because we crave what we're made of.  Sugar in meant an increase of sugar cravings.  It's a vicious cycle!  So, I saw the need to detox and start a challenge.

Will you join in?  You can do anything you put your mind to, especially if it's just 21 days!  Why 21 days?  Studies show it takes 21 days to make or break a habit.  We are what we repeatedly do and when we practice a "no sugar" or "reduced sugar" focus for 21 days, we're starting a new habit and working towards bettering ourselves inside and out!

Get uncomfortable for 21 days as we work to avoid or reduce our sugar intake starting Monday, October 22 and running thru Sunday, November 11. (HOWEVER, this whole challenge will be posted on the Fit Gal website and can be done at anytime, whether you're starting with the group or not.  Just follow the sugar tab at the right, read the intro, and follow the days' entries to complete the challenge.) 

What PERFECT timing to curb your sugar habits BEFORE the holidays start.  Don't go into it with a "I'll just wait until after the holidays" mindset.  That's usually a green light go for us to eat more!  Set yourself up now for balance and get your system on to a healthier, new you!

The "Shake the Sugar" Challenge is free and on your own initiative.  There aren't a long list of rules or books to read, I'm simply putting the structure and "team" efforts out there, and it's up to you to show up and get it done.  We all eat in different ways, so the challenge will be not necessarily about going cold turkey on sugar (great if you can!), but more about growing awareness for what you eat and working towards cutting the habit way back or hopefully off!

Please email me at mindy@fitgalclub.com to let me know you're in on the challenge.  I'm still forming the structure with more details to come, but follow along on the website and Facebook page to stay up with what we're doing!  These venues are also a way to vent and keep each other accountable.  Success towards your goals comes in partnership with others on your team.  Let's go!  

-Mindy

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