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Hi, my name is Gail, I'm 31 years old, and I'm a recovering sugar-addict.
Sounds a bit dramatic, right? But it's the truth. I wasn't able to admit that I was actually addicted to sugar until this past Spring when I got together with some of my girlfriends and we just had a real heart-to-heart conversation about where we were at. In the moment of my confession, I realized just how much I was letting sugar have it's way with me.
After I was able to admit this, I brought myself before the Lord. I saw that sugar had become an idol in my life. I served it. I let it control my attitude and feelings. If I couldn't have it, I would pitch a fit.... At least on the inside since throwing a tantrum is unacceptable as an adult. I didn't seem able to control it. I couldn't eat just one cookie. Often I would find myself with an upset stomach because of my bingeing on sweet treats.
I was miserable.
But God.
But God is good, kind, loving, and patient. I truly believe He lead me to the Momsanity 21-day sugar detox. Honestly, I am not one to seek out a detox because I don't want the quick fix. I want the real fix. I prayed about going through this detox. At the time, a few of
my friends were also fasting or going through another detox program. I wanted to know it was a 'season' God was actually calling me into and that I was dealing with FOMO (fear of missing out) because my friends were doing it. The answer was yes. Friends, that alone made my nervous. Which also let me know I did indeed need to do this.
I followed the best I could, while also showing myself grace. My first week in, my hubby brought home pizza on Friday night for our family. I ate it and didn't feel bad. Why? Because I had done well all week long AND because my husband was doing something to bless me. I wasn't going to reject that.
I got right back on track the following day without any hiccups. By the grace and power of God. I prayed often when the cravings and temptations would come. I read through the "Made to Crave" devotional on my Bible app during those 21 days. I didn't do it perfectly, but I had learned that when I relied on God's strength, I could say "no" to what tasted good and say "yes" to what was best for my body in terms of fuel.
I value honesty, and so I'm going to be honest. My 21 days were up and I thought I was golden! I thought *I* had conquered the sugar bug. Like most people who detox, the following week was... Awful. My oldest daughter turned 10 that week. There were sweet and sugary treats EVERYWHERE! I quickly fell back into my old ways. One bite of sugar left me craving more. I felt defeated.
Again, I got back on my knees and asked the Lord why this was such a struggle for me! When would I finally get it? When would this be a life lesson that sugar makes me feel like crap?
In those moments, it isn't that I forgot what I had learned. It was more that I forgot Whose strength got me through it. Relying on my own strength, I will fail. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. I can't do it on my own. I must rely on His strength. Admitting our weaknesses is rarely enjoyable, and yet, that is exactly what I have to do to stay on track.
Now that I am a few months out from my detox, I still have my moments where my emotional eating rears its ugly head. There are moments of God's strength that get me through the temptations. When I fall, I get back up. I get back into alignment with Christ, pray for a renewed mind, to escape the all-or-nothing mentality, and keep pressing on.
In my 21 days, I learned that I must rely on Him to sustain me. That if I truly want to honor my body as a temple for the Lord, I have to seek God first, above all else. I am learning to be satisfied with just one cookie or that I don't have to have the cookie at all. Asking the Lord how He would have me eat might sound a bit strange, but I am learning to make that my practice. Progress over perfection.
Gail Harris is a 31 year old stay at home, homeschooling mom of 5, wife of 12 years, blogger at Fit for Worship Fitness, and certified Revelation Wellness® instructor. Her passions are faith, family, fitness, homeschooling and helping other women find freedom in their walk with Christ!