I still eat dessert sometimes, but only once a week or so, usually at Mike's family's big Sunday dinner. This has gotten me thinking about the idea of moderation. I know we hear about moderation all the time. As long as we practice moderation, we'll be fine, right? But what if because sugar is so prevalent in the American diet, the idea of moderation has become skewed?
President Ezra Taft Benson said in 1974, "The condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That's why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom. He also said that we should retire to our beds early and arise early, that we should not run faster than we have strength, and that we should use moderation in all good things."
Well, I've decided that eating added sugar only once a week is a good idea of moderation for me.
You know what a "skinny day" feels like? When you feel confident and your clothes fit well? I used to get those days from time to time. But since I stopped eating added sugar and white flour, every day is a skinny day. I don't think I've lost any weight (I stopped weighing myself years ago), but my clothes feel better. I feel better. This is how I want to feel for the rest of my life.
Something else that might be contributing to these good feelings: Mike and I have been lifting weights this summer. I didn't think I'd like it, but I love it! We use the StrongLifts 5x5 app.
Photo from girls camp by the super talented Breanne Johnson.
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oh I hate hearing this. I want to feel better...but I don't want to give up my sugar and white flour! I like it too much. Humor me, can you give me an idea of what meals you prepare for your family each week that fit into your no sugar/white flour diet? Maybe I could ease my way into it....
ReplyDeleteI love this! It's something I'm working on, but it is so hard to get away from all of the sugar in foods. Do you have any resources or books you've found helpful?
ReplyDeleteThis is inspiring. I have been having those nagging feelings that I need to do this because I just feel blah. I know I can do it, it just requires me to start!:)
ReplyDeleteI love this and I've got through phases where I've removed a lot of sugar and white flour and I've felt great. But I've slacked lately. Time to get back on the wagon. I know you make your own bread a lot. Have you found a good bread recipe that doesn't have honey in it?
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I suspect what you were experiencing was stomach bloat from the gluten. Have you read much about gluten free? I started a gluten free, dairy free diet a couple years ago. I allow sugar - mostly as a little dark chocolate anyway. Anyway, it's been very beneficial in fixing some health numbers that were out of whack and I've been able to eliminate some prescription meds. Sometimes it works for people sometimes it doesn't. It also eliminated stomach bloat and I love feeling skinny :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear some of your meal ideas too! We have been eating worse this summer than ever before and I can sure feel it and I can see it in my kids, too (even though they won't admit it!). Time for a fresh start! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious if you have any books to recommend and what some of your meals are. And I had never lifted weights until I joined a gym a few years ago and I loved it. Time to regroup and set some goals!
ReplyDeleteSince you don't do white flour, do you do white pasta, flour tortillas, etc? Or do you just not bake with white flour?
ReplyDeleteI applaud you and anyone who finds something that works for them. :) I am 51 years old and I can tell you once one is over 40 and especially if they're in a desk job, it's a whole different ballgame. However, almost 2 years ago, after struggling through some female health issues and reading up on the subject, I finally faced up to the fact that I had just really let myself go. Though I was always very tiny/skinny growing up, even after giving birth, the pounds started to really add on after 40 and I didn't pay much attention to it, until I finally woke up to the issue and realized - yes, I was at least 90 lbs overweight and that obviously didn't creep on overnight. So, with God's great help, I began a quest to change the way I viewed food. I don't believe in diets and knew those never work for the long haul. So, with God's help through constant prayer, I made a decision and never went back on it. Nearly 2 years later, I'm 100+ lbs smaller, back to the size I was in my younger adult years, and I walk and run 4+ miles daily. Yes daily - in 20 below zero, snow, ice, rain, and heat - all outside. People have grown accustomed to seeing me in their neighborhoods, other walkers and runners acknowledge me as I do of them since we see each other all the time. It's a wonderful feeling!! All of my days are skinny days now but also healthier days. I still don't diet - what I do eat is a diet rich in many fruits and vegetables, rarely do I have bread or desserts (though on occasion), and I do drink occasionally/socially. However, I drink water - tons of it - all day long. When I know I'm going to be indulging, I cut back in other areas planning for that and amp up my walk/run and/or other active activities. I also am constantly mindful of my caloric intake limiting my daily calories to no more than 1100 - 1300 (which is different for each person depending on age, gender, size, activity level). This is what has worked for me! ♥
ReplyDelete... and I forgot to mention - ALL of the health issues left within 3 months on my quest and have remained gone. My heart is so much healthier too - things that made me out of breath before, no longer do. And another thing is that I NEVER ran before in my life outside of high school P.E. and I really stunk at it then. While always active in yard work/gardening/you name it - I've never been athletic. So for me to be able to run and to actually "like" it - at age 51 - is incredible!! All of this, I give full credit to God because without His great help, I could have never accomplished this on my own.
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