Have I mentioned "I Quit Sugar?"
Yep, we broke up and this is week 4 of the 8 week program I am on. I don't want to sound like a spokesperson or a broken record but HOLY MOLY the changes I have experienced since Sunday, Jan. 21 are just crazy, in a good way. I will say, it is A LOT of work and dedication to prep and cooking but I have really enjoyed that as well.
I have traveled twice since starting and just had to be prepared for that. Airports either do not offer much in the way of whole foods and snacks or charge you 100% more so I find that it is best to just prepare and take your food and snacks with you. TSA is becoming more strict with carrying on food but usually they just need to make sure there is no bomb residue on your apple and that there is nothing hiding in your Hummus and you are good to go. I always offer them a snack but they can't accept. This was my layover lunch in Denver last week. Here are a few things that I have experienced since quitting sugar:
Clarity: I was starting to experience what is referred to as "decision fatigue." Maybe between Hello Fresh & the "IQS" menu & recipes, just the fact that I do not have to figure out what's for dang dinner or possibly get into an argument with my people about what everyone wants for dinner has allowed for my brain to relax. Since quitting sugar, I do not know exactly how to explain or put it into words except to say everything seems "lighter." My thoughts, my movements, my emotions, my feelings and my breathing. I do not know if that makes sense, but that is the best way to describe it.
Decreased Anxiety & Depression: I don't know what was getting worse faster but these two things were starting to show up more than daily and completely uninvited. I was eating well (so I thought) sleeping pretty good, moving myself daily, taking medication and trying to pray it away yet the emotions and feelings were worsening. Since quitting sugar, everything has decreased dramatically and the feelings are how I explained above in Clarity.
Decreased Adrenaline Spikes: I was experiencing these random moments during my runs where I was fine one moment and then almost panic'd, short of breath and crying the next. My Dr. said they were Adrenaline spikes. At one point, my hormones were adjusted and I stopped running for a while and just walked. Then it started during my walk. Since quitting sugar, it has not happened once. NOT ONE TIME.
Energy: My overall energy level has increased in soo many ways. If you know me, I love to take naps and I still do, but not every.single.day. Now I can recognize that the daily nap I was having to take was actually me crashing into a wall from all of the sugar I did not realize I was dumping into my body via Non-Dairy Hazelnut Creamer, Cliff Bars, Smoothies, fruit and Lara Bars. My running has changed dramatically since breaking up with sugar and it still amazes me daily.
My digestive system and diet have been tricky and something that I have had to work on most of my life. Instead of taking prescriptions and over the counter pills, I have made changes and choices to what I eat but NEVER took sugar into consideration. I was born allergic to dairy and when I was young, was allergic to a ton of different things. I grew out of some of the allergies and based on how my body and digestive system reacted, I cut out a lot all together just to feel best. No dairy (besides feta, goat cheese occasionally and I had to mix in eggs on IQS to get the protein up.) I also am pretty much gluten free but the IQS program offers substitutions for these things so it helps so much.
So there ya have it! There is lots more to share but that will have to wait until next Wednesday. If you have any specific questions, please leave them in the comments and I will answer them!
