No Sugar Tonight
This song popped into my mind while writing this post: No sugar tonight in my coffee, no sugar tonight in my tea, no sugar to stand beside me, no sugar to run with me... "No Sugar Tonight" The Guess Who
This week I read a post by Jodi at Granola Mom {4} God called “I Quit Sugar” and she inspired me to, well, quit sugar. One of my girlfriends and I once gave up sweets for a month and it was so worth it. At first, I really craved the sugar, but after a week or so, I didn’t even want sweets anymore. Then life happened, pregnancy came and went, now breastfeeding and marathon training is going on; it’s time to take another shot at cutting back on my sugar intake. I'm not a sugar maniac, but I like to have a chocolate or something sweet after meals; not bad, but a habit worth breaking.
The rules are basic and not crazily restrictive – I’m just cutting out extra sweets. It seems impossible to 100% avoid sugar since it’s in basically everything; even in milk and bread! Desserts in moderation are meant to be enjoyed. So, if I'm at a birthday party or get-together of some sort with a lovely array of desserts, I can pick something small to try. Gotta live a little :)
Green tea has helped me to kick the afternoon sugar cravings. Coffee in the AM; green tea in the PM. Good Earth Super Green Tea is really growing on me! It’s natural, or so the packaging says, and it’s 0 calories.
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T – 6 mile tempo run + XT.
W – Off.
H – 6 mile run with strides.
F – 4 mile easy run with jogger and Eli.
Sat – 12 mile long run in 1:40:37 at 8:23/mile.
Total Mileage: 28 miles
This week I read a post by Jodi at Granola Mom {4} God called “I Quit Sugar” and she inspired me to, well, quit sugar. One of my girlfriends and I once gave up sweets for a month and it was so worth it. At first, I really craved the sugar, but after a week or so, I didn’t even want sweets anymore. Then life happened, pregnancy came and went, now breastfeeding and marathon training is going on; it’s time to take another shot at cutting back on my sugar intake. I'm not a sugar maniac, but I like to have a chocolate or something sweet after meals; not bad, but a habit worth breaking.
The rules are basic and not crazily restrictive – I’m just cutting out extra sweets. It seems impossible to 100% avoid sugar since it’s in basically everything; even in milk and bread! Desserts in moderation are meant to be enjoyed. So, if I'm at a birthday party or get-together of some sort with a lovely array of desserts, I can pick something small to try. Gotta live a little :)
Good Earth Super Green Tea |
Post-Pregnancy Weight Issues
At least in this culture, after baby arrives, the pressure is on to returning to pre-baby weight as soon as possible. I bought into that lie and initially returning to “normal” weight was a concern of mine, but now looking back it was silly. For me, ditching the sugar is not about losing weight or the scale. It’s about lifestyle changes for my health and for my son’s health, since he’s eating everything I do. Per the scale, I’m lighter than I was before I was pregnant, but that’s partly due to losing some muscle while pregnant! I avoid weighing myself and focus on how my body feels rather. You can learn so much from just listening to your body; it is a fine-tuned machine designed by the most brilliant Creator. I want to honor God with my body.Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
This Week
God has truly carried me through this week, as He always does. Some coworker relationships have been rather abrasive lately but God has helped me to speak wisely, but, most importantly, just hold my tongue (most of the time). As with every place where numerous people are together for long periods of time, gossip and opinions run wild there! Proverbs 31:26 has been my prayer this week. God is teaching me to drop my pride and forgive others for their sometimes hurtful words. At church today, it just so happened that the sermon was about others "throwing stones" at you for being a Christian. The stones feel like they have been flying at me in the masses lately, though they are very mild compared to the persecutions that Christian martyrs have gone through. They were tortured and sometimes killed for their faith! But even so, I still need to lean on God for strength and wisdom when situations like that arise. Do I always say the right thing or say nothing at all? Nope, I'm so far from perfect. Every day the Holy Spirit is shaping my character and sanctification is a process that's going to last the rest of my time here on earth!She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26
Mom and Mr. Eli - Soon 5 months old! |
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Running Recap
M – Rest day.T – 6 mile tempo run + XT.
W – Off.
H – 6 mile run with strides.
F – 4 mile easy run with jogger and Eli.
Sat – 12 mile long run in 1:40:37 at 8:23/mile.
Total Mileage: 28 miles
When I was teaching in the school system full time, I prayed every morning before I went into school. It was my bit of calm in the car before middle school mania hit. It was my comfort and my reassurance.
ReplyDeleteSomething I found very beneficial was to ask for God's guidance in speaking. Look, we're all who we are and in my perspective, we have a lot of support out there- if we choose to ask.
When dealing with an emotional middle schooler or a fellow teacher whose views went contrary to mine, I had options. I could respond emotionally, rationally, logically, or I could ask for help and guidance.
I always felt better when asking for guidance. It seemed as if the words that were best and needed to be heard were spoken by me- not necessarily the ones that I would have chose, but I trusted.
I hope this helps a bit.
Hang in there.... Makes me think of making a little something for an outdoor play space with "Faith, Hope, and Love." .. So glad I came and read this post so I could be inspired! Thanks!
Thanks, Wendy - that definitely does help! I completely understand where you're coming from. It feels like my default reaction is emotional and I need to "retrain" myself to seek God's guidance before I speak (or do anything).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the post could be an inspiration for you :) I love that - Faith, Hope, and Love.