Eyes Wide Open

I’ve never been a person for following fad diets, or having a particular interest in what I eat. Maybe it’s down to laziness or as I say “I’m just too busy”, but with me having more time on my hands than necessary, I’ve run out of excuses in why I shouldn’t dig deeper. I might add that it is purely on the basis that’s because I have turned away from the hungry Sugar Monster and not because I wish to be an educated food nutritionist (!)

With this in mind it was quite daunting the amount of articles, eBooks, professional expert websites etc. out there. Not only the sheer amount of information but the information itself was scary. Scary in being that I finally had to read the truth in what ‘refined sugar’ can do to your body if consumed on a daily basis, which for me is easy, I mean there’s not just table sugar, cakes, choccies and biscuits but ‘hidden sugars’ found in brown and red sauce, salad dressings, cereals to name but a few. For example, my daily diet would consist of say, Swiss Muesli (which looks healthy but is sweetened...boo so much for trying!) with milk (lactose = milk sugar, but that’s supposed to be ok, correct me if I’m wrong), fruit juice (concentrated, which again is sweetened with sugar), a white sandwich with say tuna (white bread is refined white flour, which is quick in releasing sugar into the blood) and pasta salad (which is the same as white bread). You see, you can’t win; the Sugar Monster is everywhere, even without you knowing it and there’s me thinking I’ve been good!

As I was saying, it was scary, but this time the info was absorbed and taken in to remind myself should the temptation arise and my hand wanders over to the biscuit tin.

I only thought that sugar affects you by tooth decay, obesity and/or diabetes. No, that’s not just it, apparently Nancy Appleton, PH.D author of “Lick the Sugar Habit”, says there are 76 ways sugar can ruin your health, yes 76! I’m thinking that’s almost 100, that’s awful, how can manufactures have peace of mind knowing how damaging it can be to our health?

I won’t mention all 76 but the main points that shocked me was that sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with developing various types of cancer, cause premature ageing, arthritis, depression and as previously written in my first post, eczema. As you probably may know, those that consume a huge amount of sugar can be seen to have mood swings, anxiety, hyperactivity etc. but it made me think, for it to do this it must therefore be affecting our brain and our nervous system too, having that control and effect over our bodies, is definitely scary?

After many hours of reading the after effects of the Sugar Monster, I felt pleased that I was heading in the right direction but I also felt upset that a biscuit with my cup of tea would be a deadly decision but I mustn't let laziness prevail. It’s going to be hard but I rather reduce my risk of any of those 76 health problems and not forgetting my bout of horrible itchy eczema. Farewell Sugar Monster.

WAKE UP! TAKE CONTROL!

I have awoken from the mystical spell of the hungry Sugar Monster. I can finally decide to take control of my life once and for all.

The Sugar Monster is sneaky and so very loving, with eyes bigger than its belly, it wants more and more.

I learnt, not long ago now, the addiction the Sugar Monster cast over me; my body was crying out for me to listen. It told me through many ways, the one which was most obvious was the eczema.

I was one for always ensuring my skin was well moisturised and looked after so when I got eczema I was horrified and confused. My doctor was unsure of the cause and prescribed a huge tube of steroid cream. I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t fond of using steroid cream or any other scary chemically named lotion on my skin so I went in search for some answers.

After much reading I found one very interesting read, written by a well-known professional holistic nutritionist and life coach based in New York. His book was fascinating; it made common sense and was simplistic. http://zingybean2.antoniov1.hop.clickbank.net/ I took the first steps of his advice and was impressed by the results, my eczema was ridden within a week and half, I naturally lost 4IBs in weight in less than a month without dieting, I had a new lease of energy (I’m often known as Sleeping Beauty in the household!), had better skin and I hardly had any colds compared to usual...fantastic!

All this just because I learnt about the different foods I chose to feed my body played on my health, which then resulted in me changing my eating habits. Call me naive, but I had no idea the effect food had on our bodies. More fool me! It plays a huge part, if it is out of balance it tells us through becoming ill, such as my eczema or bloating etc. and even worse through diseases such as cancer, heart disease or stroke.

I’ve also learnt other factors the Sugar Monster has played on my body without realising and some mums may agree here in relation to their children, but I suffered from terrible mood swings especially when I was hungry, I thought this was normal! My temperament is much calmer now and everyone feels more at peace when I’m around too (!). As I mentioned previously, I also didn’t realise that my diet was the cause of me lying in till late and feeling tired throughout the day. That’s all gone now and I’m amazed, especially with the loss of weight. I am no longer bloated and feel so much lighter and comfortable. Everything feels so normal and calmer, it’s amazing!

I just have to resist the temptation of the hungry Sugar Monster with his lovable ways of tempting me with comforting, delicious desserts or even a slice of freshly baked white bread. For if I do not resist I will turn into a horrid monster with steam coming out of ears stomping around until I get my next fix, forever following the vicious circle.

Be aware of the hungry Sugar Monster and learn to take control .