Day 8, lessons learned

For the most part, week 1 was relatively easy. I learned that my most difficult situations involve family gatherings, not because people are pressuring me, but because I'm afraid of having to stand up for myself with them and I'm afraid of not fitting in. This is something I always sort of knew, but this week made it very clear. I don't like being singled out as doing something strange. So I cave under perceived pressure. 

Sometimes the pressure is more real and less imagined. But I learned that it doesn't really matter. I anticipate being teased or misunderstood and to avoid that I just blend in. Lesson learned. 

That's one of the more interesting things about the no sugar journey. You learn things about yourself that you may never have known before, you just have to make it through the hard times to learn the lesson they hold. 

I also learned that when my will to go on weakens, having an excellent support system can provide the nudge to keep going. You may also find, as I did, that forgiving yourself for minor imperfections in eating helps to maintain the overall larger goal of avoiding heavily sugar-laden foods. 

In sum, find support, be compassionate and flexible with yourself, and be open to the lessons that present themselves. It's not easy, I won't lie, but it's a journey worth taking.