This month of my food addiction battle was filled with both continued struggles and new inspiring lessons. I want to share both with you in hopes of giving not only helpful tips, but also encouragement if you too are still fighting with little or no victory.
Let’s start with the wins…
I needed to slip back into Step 1 of my plan for some work in the area of accepting where I am today. This summer my family will be visiting the beach and I’ve been obsessed with what my weight will be at that time. So obsessed that I can’t even get excited about the much needed vacation because I know there’s no way to get to my goal weight by that point.
One huge step towards acceptance was finally updating my pictures, including my About Me page, and the profile pictures here on the blog and across my social media accounts. I have avoided joining Instagram to stay away from posting current pictures. I took the leap this month and created an Instagram account, even posting a full length picture of me and my kids from a couple of months ago. This was a giant leap and I’m excited to have taken it.
Another win this month is my discovery of The Daniel Plan. You can read more about this awesome lifestyle in my review, but I want to share my favorite tip from the book again here. I have no doubt I’m well on my way to the sitting disease they describe. Their advice to get up every hour for a few minutes is slowly saving me.
I’ve been wanting to start rebounding for a while and this was the perfect excuse to dust off my mini trampoline. I bought it years ago, shoved it into a closet, and forgot about it. Now it is proudly sitting by my favorite seat, among my puppy and freshly painted side table. It doesn’t really blend with the decor, but it’s the best reminder to get up every hour and jump for a few minutes.
You can check my Health and Fitness board on Pinterest for some links on how to use a rebounder. Basically I’m just at a light bounce for a few minutes at a time right now.
So I guess it’s time to open up the confessions now.
In the January update, I shared about starting Weight Watchers. I must admit to skipping 2 weekly weigh-ins since then and truly struggling with my food choices.
Food addiction is hard, my friends. So very hard. I have broken free from both alcohol and drugs, staying away from them for over 15 years now, but food… Food has a strange, unwavering hold on me. One I can’t seem to shake.
I made my family a Candy Bouquet for Valentine’s Day. This was not a well thought out decision. I had a ton of candy left over which I, of course, quickly consumed, leading to many more bad food choices.
Sugar sets me up for a binge every time. I found it quite ironic that the related posts at the bottom of my bouquet tutorial linked to The Lies of Sugar Addiction I wrote a year ago. What a bold warning sign!
I’m not giving up. This is not meant to be a pity party. I just want to be honest about where I am. I’m excited about my mini trampoline, even if it overwhelms my living room a bit. The food slips are telling me loud and clear, sugar must be avoided.
I’ve shared here before my addictive tendencies cannot have any part of sugar. Just as I can’t have that first glass of wine, I must avoid a first bite of any and all candy, desserts, or sugar filled foods.
How are you doing this month? Any successes or losses you could share? I would love to hear from you in the comments. I’m so thankful to have you on this journey with me.
If you are new here, my plan and part of my food addiction story can be found in An Addict’s Journey or you may want to check out some of the other monthly updates in the Turning to Food series.
So proud of you friend and celebrate your successes. I also rejoice at the challenges praying you’ll be fortified and strengthened all the more. I have taken on a challenge this next 40 days to not eat after 8pm. It is a comfort for me to snuggle in bed with a snack. And even though it’s usually a healthy snack like apples and almond butter, my attachment to it is well…not good as the Lord says to me, look to Him for that comfort. The word says everything that is lawful isn’t necessarily beneficial. By the power of Him that works within us we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.
Not eating after 8pm is a great resolution, Tyra. I find far too much comfort in food as well. I’m really working on turning away from food and to God, but it’s been a long road. Thank you for your beautiful encouragement!
That l’il doggie is the cutest!
I would think a food addiction is particularly tough, but you are on the road, my friend. Not that I can speak for God, but I believe He is proud of your efforts, and is right beside you in your struggles. ‘Seeing’ you continue to soldier through the ups and downs gives me hope for my own journey.
His cuteness gets him out of a lot of trouble, LuAnn :). I’m so happy to hear my story gives you hope, my friend. That is truly why I continue to share it. Thanks so much for your encouragement!
I love your honesty. Sugar makes me snowball too. So my anticipation of having a sweet treat for Valentine’s really set me back health wise. I had the not so bright idea of reintroducing eggs, dairy, and grains back into my diet. However, I didn’t do it the right way because I was enjoying eating all of the foods that I missed for so long. After almost two weeks of eating recklessly I started feeling horrible. Now I’m back off grains, eggs, and diary. I’ve actually started the Autoimmune Diet I hope this helps me to finally heal my gut. So I understand the food struggle.
I know I need to cut out dairy and grains too, Sonya. I feel so much better when they are out of my life. Whenever I reintroduce them after a detox, I always regret it. Holidays like Valentine’s Day that are related to candy so easily throw us off balance. I’m right beside you, my friend!
Thank you for being so open and honest about your struggles, Candace. I, too, had a hard time staying away from sugar over Valentine’s Day, especially since my hubby gave me a box of chocolates. When chocolate is in the house, I feel I lose all control. But like you, I have to get up and try again. Bravo for you in taking the huge step of acceptance by updating your photos! You honestly do look beautiful. 🙂
Thank you so much, Trudy! I’m so ridiculous about pictures being posted of me. I have a personal account on Facebook that I just use for a Bible study group and checking on my family. People know not to tag me in pictures :). So, I’m not quite evolved there yet. I can’t keep sugar in the house either! I’m so thankful to have the candy bouquet finally finished.
First off the picture of you and your kiddos was adorable! I am so glad you shared it. Now onto your living room. What an adorable space, you are uber creative! I too binged on the Valentines candy, why did my kids need to leave it on the counter!! I finally just threw it all out and decided to start anew! Sugar be the death of me too 🙂
Thanks, Jen! Posting that picture was a surprisingly big and freeing step for me. As for my living room, it used to be all dark- burgundy, brown… I was so excited to change it to all the bright colors with a 70’s vibe :). It’s a happy place now. How bold of you to throw all the candy out. I wish I had your power!
You’re just plain COURAGEOUS, my friend. I love that you’ve shared your victories. You spur us on. And that we need.
Especially in the deep mid-winter.
;-}
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, Linda! Honesty can be tough thing sometimes, as I know you are aware of :). Today is a new day and I’m determined to make even more victorious choices!
Another honest post I enjoy reading. I have sweet tooth. 😛 I’m trying to control though.
Hope your week is marvelous.
It’s so hard to control a sweet tooth, Lux! I completely relate to what you are going through. I hope you have an amazing week as well!
Dear Candace, I applaud your authentic openness. Though I’m not a sugar addict, I have battled with weight and will track my food for the rest of my life to help with my maintenance.
On a side not, I love my rebounder. My knees and ankles bother me when I run on the pavement, but I run on my rebounder 3x/week for 45 minutes at a time with no problems. I had to work up to the 45 minutes slowly though.
You can also try the “health bounce” on the rebounder for your hourly stand-ups. Basically, you do a very light bounce for 2 minutes where only your heels leave the surface. During the 2 minutes, the entire lymphatic system is flushed. : )
Cheering you on, Candace #RaRaLinkup
Thanks for the tips and encouragement, Crystal! The “health bounce” is definitely where I’m at right now. Your 45 minutes is quite impressive. It is much more tiring than one would think. I’m loving it so far though and hope to eventually get to your stamina :).
Hi Candace! (I love your side table, I remember the post on it!)
Food addiction is definitely something I struggle with too. My husband and I both decided to do South Beach together. We’ve been pretty faithful since last October. At my age, it takes a long time to lose weight, no matter what the diet I use. Sigh.
I admire you so much for overcoming many addictions in your life. That takes a LOT of strength. That strength is still in there! Celebrate the victories, small and large. You’ll get there!
Blessings,
Ceil
I truly believe food addiction to be one of the toughest to conquer. It has been a lifetime struggle really. I’m so with you on the age thing. My 40’s have brought easy weight gain with weight loss getting more and more difficult. I think it’s great your husband is on a plan with you. My hubby and I can’t ever seem to get on the same page with a program :). Thanks so much for the sweet encouragement, Ceil!
Fellow sugar addicted friend here! Struggling deeply with it too. Thank you for your honesty! It is just so helpful to be encouraged in this way! Joining you from #raralinkup!
Sugar is an incredibly strong addiction. I’ve read studies that it’s been found to be equal to cocaine in intensity. The studies are really interesting and quite scary. I feel your pain in the struggle, Ruth. It’s one I just haven’t been able to beat. Thanks for visiting :)!
I can get overwhelmed with the big picture, but I find more peace when I remember to make one decision at a time. Grasp onto grace and let’s not let perfection win. (Telling you and me both, friend!) Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
I loved your post about perfectionism and grace, Kristin. I’m feeling overwhelmed these days with food, but really trying to focus on the positive steps I’ve taken. I so agree with “one decision at a time.” That makes a huge difference for me too!
Hi Candace, I know for me, preparation is key in what I eat. If I’m not deliberate about what I have in my pantry (or what I don’t have!) then I easily fall into patterns I don’t want to be in. You are so courageous to lead others towards freedom! Visiting today from #RaRaLinkup
Thanks so much for hosting the linkup this week, Katy! It’s really nice to meet you :). I completely agree on the importance of preparation. If I don’t have plans for dinner through the week, we get in a pattern of eating out. That is never a good habit to be in!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am awed by your bravery and honesty. You know that I struggle in the same area as you with food. Baby steps is a good mantra to repeat over and over because moving forward does not happen in leaps but in the small sure steps that are led by God. I would love if we could set up a day to meet in March. How fun would that be?
You are so welcome, Mary :). I know you understand, my friend. Food is a tough area. We have to eat, so I can’t avoid it like I do with alcohol, etc. I think we should definitely make a date in March! The first couple of weeks are pretty busy, but I’m available the 3rd or 4th week. Email me when you get a chance and let’s book something!
Oh Candace. You go girl!!! I know you can reach your goal by summer time beach pics! You are so brace. I haven’t updated my profile pic in a few years. Since I don’t wear my contacts anymore and I’m not real happy the way I look in glasses. My about page has a picture of me in them. You are such an inspiration to me and everyone else struggling with this. Sugar, I believe, is the one thing that does me in every single time. I have no will power there. It is an addiction. I feel so much better when I don’t eat it because I don’t know when to stop.
I love your glasses pic, Tammy! And that farmer picture is too cute… I wear glasses sometimes too, mainly for reading. I can’t really even see texts on my big iphone without them. Thanks for your much needed encouragement. It frustrates me how mad I get at myself about my weight. I’m really trying to focus on better health but it’s hard. I feel your pain on the sugar, my friend! It’s amazing the difference in me (mood, energy,…) when I’m off it, but I always start eating it again. I know to get where I want to be health-wise, sugar is going to have to go!
I can see where food would be so much harder as you still have to eat. You can get the other stuff out of your house completely, but not food. And when you have kids and a husband, you can’t keep them doing exactly what you are doing. I think you are doing great, and I need to get over and follow you on Instagram–not that I am there much!
My kids and husband add many more pitfalls to my food issues, Tammy. I was terrible about cooking when my kids were growing up. We ate out all the time. My son is only 12 so he is learning to deal with trying new things I cook. My daughter has already moved out and I feel so guilty for not preparing her better in this area. My husband has food issues as well so we make a lot of bad choices together. I’m hoping as I continue to fight and move forward I can be a better influence on all 3 of them.
So glad to connect with you on Instagram. I posted a rare selfie today for Friday Introductions. It’s really becoming my favorite social media. I just feel it’s so much more personal than the others.
Candace, you are doing it! Little by little you are fighting the fight and that is enough. I know food addiction is so powerful and such a struggle. Good luck in your fight. I know you can do it!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Elizabeth! It is a daily struggle, but I have not lost hope :). I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Hi Candace–thanks for being so sharing of your struggle. I have struggled with my weight since having babies. Keep moving toward health. Over time, not over night I trust that we will experience change!!
It’s definitely been a long journey, Amy! You are so right, it’s not over night change. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I’m with you on the baby weight. My youngest is now 12 but I keep ending up back at my pregnancy weight. It’s a continuous struggle!