Sugar is the DEVIL

About a week ago I decided that I wanted to take my fitness to a new level. Yes, I've always had a solid grip on the exercise part, but as anyone who knows me will tell you the diet part is where I needed some serious assistance. I'm like the doctor that smokes a pack-a-day, or the pyromaniac fireman - you know better, yet you do it anyway. I workout like mad woman but kill any potential I might have of achieving my fitness goals with my horrendous diet. A lot of people exercise just so they can eat whatever they want. I *used to be* one of those people.

First off, I need to clarify the word DIET. When I refer to "my diet", I get alternate looks of disgust and laughter from people, mostly women, who are quick to scorn me for suggesting such a thing; me with my 115 pound, 5'4'' frame - ''Why the hell would you need to be on a diet??'' The sad thing is that society has distorted our thinking and the word has grown to take on meaning synonymous with deprivation, loss, drugs, quick weight-loss, pills and cleanses. The word evokes feelings of shame, failure, bitterness, fear and utter dread. What most of you know as a diet is nothing more than a quick fix - putting a band-aid on a broken leg. You go on one, and then you go off' one, you lose the weight, you gain it back - plus interest. Lather rinse repeat.

Your diet is what you eat. It is your meal plan, your food and drink consumed considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health. My favorite "diet'' book is called "The Eat Clean Diet" by Tosca Reno; it discusses diet as a lifestyle -a very healthy, nutritious and well-rounded way of eating, including foods from all four food groups, tons of yummy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, skim dairy products etc. It is far from a diet book like The Atkins or South Beach or whatever the current fad is - it's a true focus on eating simple, natural foods that aren't processed or full of additives. It even has pretty pictures and lots of colors for those of you who are not big readers. The pop-up version's not out yet Stephane, sorry. Buy the audio version maybe? ;)

So, back to my story. I put an ad on Craigslist to find a like-minded friend who was equally passionate about health and fitness who would work out with me regularly and who would be interested in a mutually beneficial relationship, sharing ideas and tips. I got one response. We chatted, and boy did I hit it out of the park. She seemed perfect - a girl close to my age who had just moved to Vancouver. We had strikingly similar commonalities - both came from similar backgrounds, almost the exact same height/weight/frame, looked young for our age, etc. She was also interested in becoming a Personal Trainer and could use a lot of help in that area.

She had the eating part down pat. We spent 16 hours together in our first two days of meeting - we worked out, went grocery shopping at a couple of different stores and she really gave me the motivation I needed to get my diet back on track. Bye bye TV dinners, hello body-of-my-dreams. I tossed my junk food, stocked up on fresh veggies, hummus, whole wheat pita/bread, salmon, eggs, grapefruit and a few other super foods that pack a punch and are filled with all of the things you need to help your body function at optimal level. Freshly motivated by my new friend and empowered by my own passion for personal growth, I feel I am on the right track now. Sometimes all we need is an extra push in the right direction.

The most important thing I've learned from this (week old) friendship - Sugar is the Devil. It really is. Diabetes runs rampant in my family, and so does a serious sweet tooth. I've always known that this would be my fate one day, if I did not take the reins and fight hard to naster it. I've regularly consumed so much sugar in one sitting I'd get tingles, like cold-shivers up the back of my head (in my brain, I like to say) So now, I've pulled the plug. I've cut out sugar almost completely (except for fruits and naturally occuring sugars, like in milk) and I'm not gonna lie, it's been a rough six days. The first two were ok, but by the third I had major headaches and mood swings reminiscent of the time I attempted to go off the birth control pill after ten years. Can you say psycho? I'm pretty sure I'll be on it until I'm eighty, but I digress.

Sugar is an addiction, and like any addiction, it takes time and patience, and a whole lot of willpower to cut it out. It's hard in the beginning, but it gets easier. It really really does. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel amazing - I have more energy, less mood swings, less cravings, I sleep better and I even feel calmer. My pancreas and I are friends again.

Here's a chart to help you with some excellent choices for your Proteins, Carbs and Fats: