Triple Dog DARE me???

So, I have a confession to make. I'm having a love affair. Shocked??? Yup, I am totally in love - with cookies, cake, chocolate, ice cream, sugar buns, apple turnovers, wicked whoopees and just about any other treat that I can shove in my face. Essentially? I'm a sugar addict! How can that be? I'm a fitness trainer! How does a fitness trainer coach people to get fit and eat well when harboring this addiction? Actually, everyone who knows me is well aware of it, because I talk about it incessantly! And you know what? My clients love it because it makes me more human, more understanding of their food issues. More on that in a future post.

Anyway, on Fat Tuesday, someone I totally love (maybe not so much after this challenge) had the audacity to - get this - TRIPLE DOG DARE me to give up all sweets and treats for Lent. Are you KIDDING me?? You do NOT triple dog dare Joey Morman! (Aghhhhh - but did it have to be THAT??!!!)

So, here I am, on day 3 of the 40 long days of Lent, sugar-free. 40 days! That's over a month and a half! Are there any Catholics out there that know the rules? Isn't there a cheat day once a week or something??? PLEASE let me now!!

So I ask you, where's the joy in this??? I am having a hard time "catching" it right now! Do you know what it's like to be a sugar addict and go grocery shopping? Or watch your kids indulging in Hershey milk chocolate bars? Can I get my fix eating fruited yogurt? Is that cheating? Do I have to pass that by my "triple dog darer"? Is a granola bar a sugar treat? (As if I don't know the answer to that question!) Where do you draw the line?

BTW - it's not like I have not done this before. I've quit sugar (several times) for many weeks - cold turkey. Why do you think this is so disturbing to me?! I know exactly what I'm in for!! But truth be told - once I get through the first week or so, it won't be so bad (I hope). It truly is an addiction. I go through withdrawal on a nightly basis for at least 5 days and up to 2 weeks. Then the cravings go away and it becomes easier. The trick is to remain humble and not cave and get that taste on your tongue. Because you literally start all over again!

And there is joy. I will definitely shed a few pounds. I know I will feel better. I won't have such big energy shifts and I will probably sleep better. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's the journey through the tunnel that will be so painful!

But I will definitely do this. You know why? Because you do NOT Triple Dog Dare Joey Morman.