As I discussed here a couple of weeks ago, there are certain aspects of our unique wiring we may not be able to, or even want to, change. We have certain God given strengths we can finally embrace and quit spinning our wheels trying to be someone we’re not.
However, there are other habits and traits which could use some adjusting. Mine usually fall in the category of health in all areas: body, mind, and soul. Today I want to focus on physical healing as I truly believe it sparks hope in the two other areas as well.
Recently I came across the concept of Living As If, meaning to live in the same way that someone with your desired habits would. Let me tell you from recent success, this works.
When thinking over the daily habits of people I want to emulate in the health arena, sugar kept popping up. I have always been a sugar addict and one important thing I’ve learned is one bite of dessert can set me off on an all out binge for hours (days, weeks…).
Healthy people do not binge on sugar and they certainly don’t have daily dessert, at least the kind I was consuming.
So transferring this to the Living As If concept, I decided to take on the simple mantra: “I don’t eat sugar.” This revelation happened about a month ago just a few days before my daughter’s birthday while I was at Walmart buying her Oreo ice cream birthday cake. Yes, you read that right: Oreo ice cream cake, what timing…
I’m happy to report I didn’t touch that cake outside of cutting it and serving it to my family. It even sat in our freezer for over a week after the party as I anxiously awaited my people to finish it off. Whenever I wanted to take just a little bite, I reminded myself “I don’t eat sugar.”
Over the past month, as I left restaurants passing by giant peppermint bowls or ran across those same tiny red and white wrapped villains while walking into our church’s sanctuary, I muttered under my breath, “I don’t eat sugar.” A mint may not seem like a big deal to many people, but to me it can wreak absolute havoc on my choices the rest of the day.
I’m allowing grace for myself in this endeavor. I’ve found small doses of honey don’t set me off so they remain on the ok to consume occasionally list. Cereals and sauces with small amounts of sugar are also on that list. I’m still in the experimenting phase with this.
Here are some ways to implement Living As If for yourself:
- If there is a healthy change you want to make, decide on a short mantra and live as if it’s already true. I exercise daily. I start every day with a green smoothie… This will magically transform an “I want to” or an “I should” into a beautiful resounding “I am.”
- Start changing what you share on social media to reflect who you want to become. If you have been here before, you may have noticed a big shift in this online space. I used to have a focus of DIY and crafts. Over time these projects have faded out while being replaced with my thoughts on health. Learn more about this exciting transition here.
With this change, all of my online hangouts will reflect my new healthy Living As If lifestyle. Even my Pinterest boards were recently overhauled. I deleted all of the tempting sugary pins from my sweet treats board. (I must admit that hurt a little.) Now that board is healthy sweet treats or at least desserts that I can transform into healthier options. I would love for you to pin with me!
- Clean out your kitchen by throwing away everything with your addictive substance. This can be difficult when our people really love our offensive ingredient, but your success demands it. I let my family keep a few items they really want, poptarts for instance, but I buy the kinds I don’t like. Compromise…
- Surround yourself with people who are living the lifestyle you want. This can be done through friends, books, blogs, following them on social media… In this online, easy to access world we live in, this is not difficult to accomplish.
I hope you will journey with me in this new Living As If plan. Do you have a new habit that immediately comes to mind? Let’s discuss it in the comments.
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This post is part of the monthly Turning to Food series. You can learn more about my food addiction story in An Addict’s Journey or you may want to check out some of the other monthly updates.
Candace, Candace, Candace must brave friend I’m so very proud of you! The rebranding on the site immediately caught my attention. I can only imagine the fear involved in taking that leap, but you did it! Oh friend I’m sending you a big hug right now and hoorah’s for taking consistent incremental step to ensure your total wellness; mind, body and spirit. When you are ready, I have a recipe for a raw, sugar free chocolate treat on my website, Raw Chocolate Truffles. Keep up the great work.
Thank you, Tyra! I’m really excited about it but still pretty nervous too. It just seems crazy to take this leap right now. You know that awesome God we serve can produce miracles though ;). I will definitely check out that treat! It sounds wonderful.
Just stopping by to say hi and loving this post…..fantastic wisdom.
What willpower, Candace. And that oreo cake seems heavenly too……thank you.
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xoxox
God bless
Hi, Chris! I’m still amazed I managed to stay out of that cake. There was definitely a lot of divine intervention :). Blessings to you, my friend!
That’s an awesome mindset to have. I like the idea of having a mantra. Sugar is so addictive, so I’m glad you are finding a way to overcome it. I try to avoid sugar too, because it just leaves me craving more. Plus, it makes me feel like I have the knees of an 80 year old if I eat too much. I’m excited to read more about your health transformation ☺
The mantra has been a life saver, Sonya. It just completely simplifies my intention. You are someone I admire regarding food choices, among other things too :). I think food will always be a work in progress for me. I’m fine with that as long as I keep moving in the right direction.
Wow! To turn down an ice-cream cake? I so admire your will power, Candace. You go, Girl! I need more of those mantras in many areas, but I seem to fail time after time… Blessings and hugs to you!
Thanks for the encouragement, Trudy! I’m excited about the progress. I feel like I’m finally on the right path. Try just picking one mantra to start with. I completely understand your frustration with failing in these areas. I’m right there with you, my friend. That’s why this time I’m taking one step at a time instead of trying to change a bunch of stuff at once. That always ends disastrously for me :).
These are some great ideas, Candace. Especially the one about adopting a new mantra that we can easily remember. The power of suggestion is so important.
I love the new focus for your blog and social media! Pinning this today under “self care.”
Thanks so much for the support, Betsy! It’s been a long road :). Amen to “the power of suggestion.” It can change everything.
Living as if… What a great mantra to embrace to reach a healthier lifestyle. You never fail to inspire me friend! I can’t wait to learn from you and to continue to walk this path with you toward health.
I’m so glad to have you on this journey with me, Mary. You have been there through many wrong turns with my health goals and know how truly exciting a positive change like this is :). I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes next!
Candace, what a great post! I love how intentional you are being about the way you live. I’ve gone on and off sugar a few times over the years. And you’re so right. When we determine in our minds that we are not going to eat it (or, as you say, develop a mantra we can say), that’s half the battle right there. Your post is so proactive. 🙂
I’ve found that once I indulge a little, it’s easier to excuse having more in a given day. A spoonful of Nutella, anyone? 😉
I was weaning myself off of sugar before I had surgery last month. I’ve indulged some, but when my brace comes off in a couple weeks, I’m going to join you in saying, “I don’t eat sugar.” Your other suggestions are super, as well. Thank you for sharing how you are choosing differently. 🙂 Well done.
I’m your neighbor at Holly Barrett’s today.
I’m looking forward to you joining me in this sugar free lifestyle, Jeanne. It really is life-changing for an addict like me. Even a little bit quickly snowballs :). Keep me posted on how you are doing when you switch back. I can completely understand indulging a little after surgery. I hope you are healing well.
We need to be really conscious with our health not to look sexy or anything like that, but to be fit. “Health is wealth” is so underrated.
Absolutely, Lux! I just don’t want to be exhausted all the time anymore. That change alone has been amazing :). I still have a long way to go but I’m thrilled with the progress so far.
Fantastic advice in this article, Candace! Way to #gethealthygirl. Visiting from 3 Word Wednesday.
Hi Sarah! It’s great to see you here :). Focusing in this one area of sugar first is helping tremendously.
I love this! Lately I have decided that for myself and as a family we will do one physical activity everyday. Even if it is just chasing each other crazily around at the park. I want to be a good example of prioritized health to them. Start small right, make it part of your lifestyle and it is easier to do. At least I am hoping!!
Starting small is definitely easier, Jen. I love your idea of one physical activity a day for your family. My next step will be in that area as well. We just can’t be healthy without movement and I’ve really dropped the ball there with my family. Baby steps :).
Cool! I remember when I was on Weight Watchers that I soon lost the yearning for sugar … in fact a huge bowl of Halloween candy sat on my dining room table for a whole month and I never ate even one.
I found that accountability in weighing in and going to meetings {and the investment of $ each week!} to be great motivation. Falling scale numbers helped, too …
Here’s to your good health, friend. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. You’re inspirational, for sure …
Thank you, Linda :). I’ve found those things in weight watchers to be invaluable too (weigh-ins, meetings,…). Their new program has skyrocketed the points for anything with sugar so that’s really helping me back off of it as well. It’s so nice when we get it out of our bodies and the cravings finally start to disappear.
Hi Candace!
Happy to be your neighbor today on the Linkup at a Little R & R. I so much enjoyed your post here and the idea of “Living as If”. The example you gave is great and the idea is simple enough that I think it could be a great benefit. I need to consider which physical choice is most important for me in the quest.
Blessings on your day!
Pam
It’s so nice to meet you, Pam! I think the key is simplicity and making one change at a time. Good luck in whatever you choose. I would love to hear how it goes for you :).
Wow that’s such a fresh perspective. Who knew one little mantra can totally change your mind-set and make a person transition from one thing to another? These are fantastic tips, Candace. I especially like the last one about surrounding yourself with the people who are living the lifestyle you want. It makes sense; being inspired by others to make a change is something that works for me every time. Thanks so much for sharing this on #SHINEbloghop
Hi Maria! I’m amazed at what that little mantra has done for me :). It’s so simple, yet incredibly powerful. Inspiration from others really works for me too. Thankfully, the internet has made finding like minded people quite easy to do. Thanks for the party!
Hello Candace!
It’s good to be here again. Thank you for your recent visit to my place. I haven’t been doing much writing for quite some time and still rather off and on. But always good to see a familiar face. 🙂
I know I’ve shared about my food issues so I appreciate the mantra idea. Delighted to read how it’s having an impact in your life.
Blessings to you.
Beth
I go in and out with writing too, Beth. It was good to see you back :). The mantra is golden. It has helped me tremendously with my sugar issues. Many blessings to you as well!
I have done this same thing, acting as if, before, and yes, it works! It’s amazing what a little mantra can do. One of my favorites is to ask myself a question, “Who do you want to be?” It has kept me focused on my goal in difficult moments. I really like the “I don’t eat sugar” one and think I might have to adopt that one with you. Thanks for your encouragement today! Blessings.
I may need to adopt your question too, Judy! I love that. These simple little statements and questions can be truly life changing. Thanks so much for sharing yours :). Blessings to you!
I love the idea of a mantra! Sugar does me in too, and I just don’t feel good after having it.
It’s shocking to me what it does to both my body and mind, Sarah. Even my kids know when I’ve had too much sugar just from my behavior. I would love to hear your results if you test out the mantra 🙂
I really like the point of changing what you share on social media to reflect who you want to become. That is something I need to do 🙂
It’s been fun making that transition, Akaleistar. One of the best parts of it is I seek out health related articles, tips, and information :). This has been a great way to learn.
Oh Candace. I know how hard it is to not want to eat all that tempting food. Especially food. I do give myself a treat of a little bit of sugar now and again. I’m satisfied and move on. I’m surely not eating a bag of M&M’s anymore. Even though I would love to right now!!!
I know what you are going through and with time. It really does only get better and the Lord has truly helped me through this. We chat about it often and he just keeps reminding me what I went through last year. Thats I all I need to hear.
I’m glad you have found such freedom in this area, Tammy. I tested having a little sugar this week and again learned it’s all or nothing for me :). Even 1 cookie will quickly spiral out of control. Food is one of the toughest addictions to conquer and I’ve overcome many. I can truly say that from experience. I know you completely understand my struggle, my friend.
Hi Candace! I love the idea of a saying to remind you what your goals are. Sugar is a big trigger for me. Even if I have just one piece of cake, I can be off to the races.
Trying to remember why I’m changing my habits helps sometimes. Holidays can be rough though…
Yes, I’ll join you in the ‘As If’ community. I want to eat as if I were healthy, and I know I will become that.
Easter blessings!
ceil
Sugar is so incredibly addictive, Ceil. It really takes me “off to the races” as well. I’m so thankful to have you in this community :). We will definitely support each other through these wonderful changes coming for us.
Hi there candance:
I have bumped in to a couple of your articles, and your candor about addiction struck me, I too struggle with binge eating and admire your determination, I want to live as if , when it comes to my choices, I will work on a mantra to help me out,
Thanks for your openness and know in your heart it does not go unnoticed, you have qualities to emulate, keep on blogging, you are great inspiration,
, an example of hope for us fighting the hard fight.
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement, Ana. I apologize for my delayed response. I’ve been on a break with my kids getting ready to start school back.
Binge eating is such a difficult struggle. I truly understand all of the pain that comes with it. I hope you have found a mantra that helps. Remember you can change it as needed :). I need to get back to “I don’t eat sugar.” To be honest, I’ve eaten a great deal of it lately. It’s been pretty stressful around here seeing my oldest leave again for college. But life goes on and we have to deal with the ebbs and flow.
I so appreciate you bringing me back to this post and much needed mantra today. Many blessings and much love to you in your fight against this tough disease. We can do this!