Are you a woman between 30 and 50 years old? Have you ever felt “stuck” on sugar? Have you ever described yourself as addicted to it?
Most importantly, have you wanted to quit sugar for some time now but had trouble getting around to doing that?
I’m convinced that the biggest time-waster when it comes to getting away from sugar once and for all is… waiting till you feel ready.
What Stands In Your Way?
Maybe you’ve eaten sugary foods – of one sort or another – to handle the stress you’re feeling. Many of us have done that, so it’s nothing to feel embarrassed about doing.
Yet it’s a self-perpetuating process.
Knowing – or fearing – that stresses will show up and not wanting to quit because of that is a virtual guarantee that you’ll stay stuck. Even if it’s not a fully conscious plan, it is still a plan to use sugar to handle the stress.
But that’s a never-ending battle! Stress of some type will always be there. And so will sugar. This is the U.S., after all.
Why You Should Quit Sugar Now
Here’s a true statement: The sooner you quit sugar, the sooner your brain chemicals and your blood glucose will be more stable.
Stable, you think, what’s so great about that?
As unsexy as stability may sound, what makes it great is that it will help you react less to any given stress in the first place.
A Tip From a Top Endurance Coach
My endurance coach – the late, fantastic Jim Karanas – had much to say about the pain associated with hard training. Here’s one point he frequently made about training:
It’s not that the pain goes away, but that you become less reactive to it.
This applies very well to stress. “Less reactive” is a perfect place to be when stress comes up – just as it is when the inevitable pain of tough training comes upon you.
Said another way, “It’s not that (the stress) doesn’t hurt, it’s just that it doesn’t matter.” You can create that less reactive state of mind for yourself if you stop procrastinating on quitting sugar.
Imagine being less reactive – unruffle-able – when stressed. How perfect does that sound?
A Valuable Get-Started Tip For You
Quit sugar NOW! Start by eating protein with absolutely everything you eat. Make sure the protein is REAL protein: shrimp, chicken, fish, eggs, Greek yogurt with 18 or more grams of protein per serving, and others.
Avoid protein imposters: nuts, cheese, quinoa.
Don’t expect the small amount of protein in leafy greens or other vegetables to do the trick for you. The brain needs more help here. Really.
Instead, use vegetable-based protein powders if you want to avoid animal products. Don’t cheat your brain of protein when you’re trying to quit sugar.
Protein won’t make the stress go away, of course, but it’s a good first step in helping you become less reactive to it.