If you know me, you know I love my sweets. Growing up, my family had two desserts every day without fail. It was part of the typical Midwest diet: meat, potatoes, corn, and dessert.
However, I have not has dessert—including candy and chocolate—since December 22, 2012. I did splurge on Christmas, New Year’s Day, and my birthday. But other than that, I have not given into the temptation.
My main motivation to give up dessert was to eliminate empty calories (sugar) in order to lose weight and try to get down to my race weight for Boston. I even made it one of my goals for 2013. While I have lost some weight, I was not able to get down to my race weight. (I wanted to get down to 130 pounds.) So far I have lost only about 3 pounds, which averages out to 1 pound a month. (I started out at 136 pounds.)
It was definitely harder than I expected. With having a desk job now, I basically had to work out twice a day, 4 times a week, and then once a day the other 3 days a week.
I knew giving up desserts wouldn’t be easy, so I made up my mind to eliminate all dessert, which I knew would be better than saying, “oh I’ll just try to eat less dessert each week.” I knew that would turn into splurges all too often.
I know this approach is unconventional for most individuals, but it was something I really wanted to do. I also saw it as a challenge since I love my desserts.
To be honest, I don’t know how much eliminating desserts played in losing weight. The biggest thing I have to do in order to lose weight is go to bed a little hungry. I know it doesn’t sounds enjoyable—it isn’t, but I was willing to make the sacrifices for the outcome I wanted.
(Visiting Yogurtland when it first came to Anchorage.)
With all this said, I know this is a sensitive topic for some, so the underlying message of this blog post is NOT: you need to stop eating dessert in order to lose weight. This post is to merely share my experiences with running and trying to drop a few pounds in hopes it will make me faster. (I know there are strong opinions on this as well.)
Throughout this process, I have learned how to better control my sweet tooth and determine if it is an appropriate time to indulge in a little something because I know all too well those after-dinner treats in the past were only out of habit.
And with that, I am definitely looking forward to a delectable dessert after Boston!
Good luck with your training. I should give up dessert for Ragnar…….. You’ve given me some serious things to consider
way to be disciplined!
I’m impressed! Keep it up and then enjoy a cannoli in Boston (I’ve heard they’re good). Dessert is my Achilles heel – the temptation lies around every corner! I think when we give up something like that we not only learn about ourselves but we build up our conscience, making our ability to choose what is good stronger, and conversely when we “give in” when we are trying not to “give in” be betray our conscience. I also liked to read that while you’ve given up dessert, you’ve made healthy exceptions for less than a handful of special days. I’m so excited for you!
I agree, Cara. Any time I’ve fasted from something, I learn something new about myself and how that item positively and negatively affects my life.
Eek, I don’t think I could give up dessert for too long, I love it too much. I have the hugest sweet tooth EVER. I know I could probably lose a pound or 2 by cutting down, but what fun would that be? haha. I do eat pretty well otherwise.
I didn’t think I would be able to give them up either. I honestly half did it to see how much self-discipline I had. But then again, I know this approach isn’t for everyone. 🙂