If you struggle with sugar, you’re not alone! Sugar is a major hurdle for many of my clients and one of the singificant things keeping them from attaining a healthy weight. Just like alcohol or nicotine, sugar is addictive; nutrition data shows that the body releases endorphins when hit with a sugar rush. Those endorphins make you feel good, so you want more. It’s a vicious cycle!

Here are some tips to help you kick your sugar habit:

•Replace dessert with fruit

Fructose, the sugar found in fruits is digested more slowly because of the other nutrients in fruit, such as fiber. You’ll still get the sweet taste without all the additives and processed sugar. And I’m talking real fruit here, not canned peaches in syrup or sugar-enhanced applesauce. Strawberries in spring, nectarines in summer, apples in fall, oranges in winter, just to name of few! Plus all the extra benefits of fruits – antioxidants, vitamins, minerals – make you healthier and help lose weight.

• That said, fresh is better than dried

Part of what makes fruit a valuable habit for permanent weight loss is that it’s got a good amount of water in it, meaning that a good percentage of the volume your consuming is actually just plain old H2O. Dried fruit, while still packed with all the good fiber, vitamins, etc, is much higher in calories per serving. But of course it’s still better than a serving of candy bar. If you’re going to grab some raisins or dried apricots, just make sure to get “no sugar added” dried fruit.

• Take advantage of the season

Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes the year’s greatest variety of in-season fresh produce. Sugar is added to so many packaged foods, even savory ones. By hitting the farmers markets and produce section rather than the aisles of boxes and cans, you can avoid extra grams of added sweeteners.

• Identify triggers and avoid them

For me, it’s chocolate; for a good friend, it’s soda pop. Whatever it is for you, there’s probably one (or a few) sweet food that you crave regularly. Knowledge is power – you know you can’t resist, so don’t even make it an option! Keep your trigger foods out of your pantry.

• Don’t beat yourself up if you backslide

Giving up sugar can be seriously difficult, so it’s important not to get down on yourself if you give in to your cravings every once in a while. I’ve learned in my Body Image Mastery work that the key to permanent weight loss is being kind to, accepting and forgiving of yourself. So whether it’s two cupcakes at a birthday party and a box of candy at the movies, remember tomorrow is another day. Another chance to get back on the freedom-from-sugar wagon. Don’t despair, and don’t beat yourself up.
Cutting out or reducing our intake of processed sugar is a key step to achieving a healthy weight. These few little tips are just the start to transforming your diet and your health – what are your tips, dear Pinkys? Let’s help each other out! Comment below or email me at laura@onepinky.com.

It makes my heart sing to have this soulful connection across the miles, actually across the equator!  I feel like she and her husband Leigh are family to me. We just know we will be meeting soon in person. And I think I can speak for both of us and say, we cannot wait for that day to come!

We will keep you posted on when that will take place.

I am so proud of your work Leah and your willingness to keep on keeping on no matter what presents itself.

You are an inspiration to this community and to the world.

And speaking of inspirations…

Gina who has kept her commitment to blogging daily, YOU GO GIRL!, recently wrote to tell me she is coming to California and will be stopping by my county. I am thrilled to say that she and I have a date to look forward to in April. More connecting with a Pinky. Love that.

I look forward to meeting many of you in time. It will happen.

And one more thing, before Leah and I got off the call, I read her something. This was a spiritual mind treatment I read to myself for many years. Actually, there were two, one called “Love” and the other called “Peace”.

I was happily surprised to find them in a drawer recently.

Leah loved hearing it and I loved reading it to her.

So here is the piece on “Peace” and stay tuned next week for the piece on “Love”.

Peace

The peace that sings throughout the cosmos wells up in me. I detect Its presence in my heart, my attitude and my body. I feel It, I believe It and I welcome It. With this Peace in me, nothing can move me from It. For wherever I go, there I find myself in the midst of Peace.

Peace to you Pinky’s!

I love you, XO

Laura

P.S. Please join us for a free teleclass this week with Steve Sisgold, on Wednesday, February 24th at 1pm PST.

Steve is an author, speaker and body-centered therapist who has taught thousands how to use their BQTM (innate body intelligence) to create better health, prosperity and more authentic relationships.

In his book, WHAT’S YOUR BODY TELLING YOU? (McGraw-Hill; July 2009) Steve teaches us how to breathe into our emotions, release stress from our bodies and maintain our physical and emotional health. This call will support you in having a body shift and I hope many if not all of you will be on the call.

This is a public call and please RSVP to info@onepinky.com and the call in information will be sent to you.