Sugar Free D Week Two

It's funny how people react when you tell them you've given up sugar. In case you haven't yet tried it, let me give you a few samples of how the people in my life reacted:

• My colleague, right before she tries to sabotage my efforts by tempting me with chocolate: "Why? Like you need to deprive yourself?" Um, yes, thanks. That's exactly it.
• Guy at CVS, while trying to sell me a Snicker's bar: "Why are you giving up on sugar? Sugar would never give up on you."
• My husband: "Cool. I'll do it with you. I had three cans of pop yesterday." Yikes. Scary, yet ever supportive and encouraging.

Suffice it to say that between what people tell me and what I'm reading in books, I'm having to duke it out for myself. For instance, there are many different varieties of "giving up sugar." (Again, to clarify, my version means no Frosted Flakes, chocolate pies or Ho-Hos for breakfast, Fudge Stripes for lunch or ice cream for dinner. Or snacks. Wine/alcohol = ok, within reason. For instance, watermelon martinis are reasonable. Natural sweetners such as agave nectar, honey or beet juice are fine.)

I even found out that some people give up fruit when they do this detox thing, but folks, let me tell you: being a vegetarian who doesn't eat fruit = worse than your sister on the Atkins induction phase. Boring and cranky. I'm experimenting with raw foods, too, and there's a lot of fruit in those recipes. Plus, it's summer. All the seasonal stuff is naturally sweet; ain't no way I'm missing out on that.

The advice I got from my aunt was to let myself have sweets every once in a while, on very special occasions, and not feel an ounce of guilt. Now THAT would be a victory.

For now, though, I'll just concentrate on listening to my "inner voice" and see what sticks. Right now, it feels good just to be conscious enough of what I'm putting in my mouth to walk right past the Hershey bars at the front desk. And enjoy time with my friends without it involving at least 300 extra calories I don't need, etc.

Tips? Help? Suggestions?