I slipped and fell off the wagon!

In an effort to keep the Christmas spirit alive and well this year, I baked all the usual cookies and treats:  buckeyes, fudge, caramels, snowball cookies, chocolate crinkles, ginger snaps... Everyone has a different favorite, of course, so I had to make them all, despite making proclamations that we would not go overboard this year and I was going to narrow down the list of things we would make.  I could try and make gluten-free, sugar-free versions, but what would be the point, really?  My kids wouldn't eat them, I would be stuck looking at them and feeling guilty that I wasted the time and money on them, and would feel obligated to eat them all myself.  Usually we make cookies and keep them in the freezer, doling them out little by little as we make our rounds of holiday parties.  This year, however, there are no parties to go to, and home baked treats are not as well-received as in years past.

So...guess who's eating the cookies this year?  Yep, I fell off the sugar-free, gluten-free wagon, and I fell down hard.  I know I feel better when I don't eat that way, but it usually doesn't hurt enough to keep me from sampling a cookie here and there.  This time, though, I'm feeling it!  Here's what happens when I slip up:

• My head hurts
• My nose is stuffy (which may be why my head hurts!)
• My feet are swollen
• My rings are tight on my fingers
• My wrists are achy
• My muscles are sore
• My breasts are sore (I know--TMI!)
• My brain is a little foggy
• My stomach is rumbly (more TMI!)
• I've had night sweats the last couple of nights
• I'm hungry all the time
• I'm crabby and impatient
• And none of my clothes fit!

When I get back on track these symptoms all start to fade away, but doing so is easier said than done.  Remember I said I was hungry all the time?  This is when I look at this list of symptoms, remind myself of my why, and get back to the habits I know will help.  First, I make sure I'm eating plenty of protein and fat like eggs, avocado, and grass-fed meat.  I also make sure I'm getting enough pink Himalayan sea salt and drinking enough water to help with sugar cravings.  I might even add a little coconut oil to my morning coffee to keep my blood sugar on an even keel.  Every afternoon I have a cup of homemade bone broth, and I drink hot tea throughout the day to keep my rumbly tummy happy.

As far as avoiding temptation goes, I keep the cookies in the freezer, instead of leaving some on the counter.  I have stopped walking through the teachers' lounge at school where everyone is generously sharing their own freezer stashes, and I when I do see treats I remind myself "that's not my food," and "I'm not a person who eats sweets," (as opposed to "I have such a sweet tooth!")

The rest of my family has their stash of crackers, cookies, and cereal, but we keep it on a specific shelf in the cupboard where, again, I use the mental trick of telling myself "that's not my food," and I make sure I mentally celebrate each time I pass it up.

Getting on the scale is sure to make me even more grumpy right now, so no, that is not a good motivational strategy.

As far as exercise goes, slow and steady wins the race when I'm not feeling good.  A bike ride, a long walk, an easy run, or some light weight-lifting are all easier on my body and are not as hard to get motivated for as a long hard run.  Besides, I'm over punishing myself for my mistakes, and for many years, marathon training bordered on punishment for me.  

I tell you all of this to let you know that I'm perfectly human and to share some strategies with you, but I'm also hoping that if you recognize some of these symptoms in yourself you'll start digging a little deeper into your own diet and start a little self-experimentation too.  If you want to go Whole-30 or try any other hard-core elimination diet, more power to you, but you can make a lot of difference in your health by just starting with sugar.  If you don't see any differences after ditching the sugar, then try getting rid of grains, throw away the processed food, and maybe try abstaining from dairy for a while too.

And if you decide to indulge, do so with intention, and make sure it's the best, home-baked cookie you can find! :)

Peace, friends!

If you'd like to talk to me more about creating a nutrition plan that works for you, I've got you!  I'm a certified Nutrition Coach who will create a simple, customized meal plan for you and coach you through how to implement it into your busy life.  We also talk about all the pitfalls that make it hard, and help you make it the anchor that keeps you healthy, energized, and sane through the whirlwind of your everyday life.

I'd love to talk to you about the program, so book a free consultation with me by clicking the Calendly button. I look forward to talking to you!

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