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Sugar - An Idol?


At Momsanity we are NOT about quick fixes, but we also find that tools sometimes help us to be 1. aware of issues and growth opportunities we might be ignoring and 2. focused on making changes. Our Beat The Sweets Sugar Detox is a great tool for understanding the control that sugar (which also means simple starches, white food etc) have over our bodies.
We can then use the skills that we attain from a short program to figure out what our individual bodies need and what they don't. Meet our friend and Momsanity Ambassador Gail who recently put herself through the 3 week program... OH and if this sounds like something you need, but can't imagine doing it by yourself we would LOVE to have you join us in October in our Momsanity Sisterhood where we will be walking through the program one day and step at a time!

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!