Does That Chocolate Have Your Name On It continued...

(When I kicked sugar back in 1998, asking myself such questions helped me to turn away from sweets time and time again until proudly saying “no” became a wonderful, ingrained habit.) So I urge you to become conscious in the moment as to the reason(s) for your so-called "hunger," because powerful knowledge like this can lead you to better, healthier actions. Or, you can think of this in another way, as the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I studied), suggests. When sugary temptations are about to get the better of you, ask yourself, "Do I want that sugary `treat,’ or am I really yearning for “primary foods” such as relationships, exercise, etc.?”

Get really angry at your destructive habit! At this point, I suggest that you get furious at your pitiful reliance on sugary and processed foods. I'm not suggesting that you become hateful at yourself; just become outraged at your behavior and the fact that you lean on these culprit carbs so much when you're blue, lonely, moody, etc. Now go ahead -- get downright repulsed by your heinous, potentially health-damaging habit. Become revolted by the fact that you let these sweets strip you of your dignity and force you to do demeaning activities such as digging into your garbage pail to retrieve uneaten candies. (Sound familiar?) Get really livid at just how low you’ve sunk. (I'm not a therapist, but I'm telling you that tapping into your fury -- what I once did -- can have a potent, effective, life-affirming result.)

Claim your power. Realize that you are in control. It's totally up to you what you stick on your fork and into your mouth and stomach. You can consciously – and easily – make better selections as to what you'll feed yourself and how you'll spend your time. Stand in your own corner. Stick up for yourself. Choose to treat your body and soul with respect, dignity, admiration and even encouragement.

Choose nourishment instead. Now that you’re armed with valuable insights – such as that maybe you're really not hungry for sweets but instead need a strenuous workout, a fun time out with a friend or some tenderness from your significant other – you can make a better, more positive, healthier choice. Instead of mindlessly cramming quickie carbs into your mouth, pick an activity that nurtures and feeds your soul. Now go do it!

Remember, if it's been your pattern to turn to sweets for solace, at times you may still feel that sugary foods have control over you. But you need to remind yourself that this is just not so!

You alone have the final say as to what you put into your mouth -- not your sugar-pushing relative or insensitive, sugar-addicted friends or loved ones. You can choose health by saying no to this potentially damaging white powder (or foods using it and other caloric sweeteners).

<< Previous Page | Continued >>