As
a quick review, my reputation as an uncertified life coach basically hinges on
my ability to successfully complete an A.I.T., otherwise known as an Amazing
and/or Inspiring Transformation. As
mentioned on day one of this process, “I need to change myself in a very obvious and public way over the course
of a set amount of time. I need to begin as person ‘A’, and then, by a
combination of ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and even ‘D,’ become the person I was always meant to
be: ‘E.’”
To become person ‘E,’
then, I began a very arduous regimen of not eating cookies after going to bed.
This might sound stupid and perhaps even useless, but to put into context, I
had a problem. I would wake up in the middle of the night numerous times
throughout the week and gorge on milk and cookies like an off-season Santa
Claus. It was gross. My pants would not fit, the intense sugar-rush played
havoc on my sleep schedule, and, of course, the rest of my family was furious
at me for basically ruining their lives by eating dessert in the middle of the
night.
Thus, on July 15th
this past summer, (hence the catchy name of my endeavor, “Project 7:15,”) I gave up midnight cookie binging. Cold turkey, I just quit, and the effects were
almost immediate. For starters, by family liked me more and within a few weeks
my pants also started treating me with more respect. I slept better, which cleared
my head, which lead me to the next step of Project 7:15: forgoing random
sweets.
The modifier “random”
was attached to distinguish the 99% of processed sugar we come into contact
with on a daily basis with the 1% of desserts that actually do make our lives
better: your mom’s homemade dessert she spent hours making just for you, for
example, or the sugary gift offered by the young person who needs to feel some
self-worth.
Things went quite well
for the first few months. Before long I was fitting into clothes I hadn’t worn
in years and much of the sluggishness that comes from sugar was no longer part
of my day. (I still had the sluggishness that comes from parenting three young
children, of course, as well as the fatigue that originates from teaching high
school English, but one must tackle the opponent that one can catch.)
Then, however, as often
happens in life, a parade rained on my success. What happened was this: I was sitting
at the homecoming parade in early October, enjoying the gorgeous fall evening,
catching stray bits of candy thrown toward my children, when I had a moment of
weakness. I can’t even remember what it was, likely a cherry Starburst, but it
tasted so good, I thought, ‘Hey, it’s the homecoming parade. This sugar has
social merit, right? I’m being sociable.
How about another?”
So I ate another. And
then another. Soon my dinner was ruined and the old, unwelcome lethargy had
returned. What is unfortunate about sugar, like any addiction, is that once you
return to your fix, it becomes that much easier to return again. And again.
Halloween showed up,
along with trick or treating, and, yes, I ate more of my kids’ candy than I should
have. Thanksgiving showed up, and, yes,
I enjoyed some pumpkin pies. Plural.
And we won’t even mention Christmas.
Today is a new day,
however. It is a new year, in fact, and with it, we see new opportunities for
amazing and inspiring transformations. My pantry has no Oreos in it, and that
is a good place to start.
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