Step Two: Eliminate Simple Sugars From Diet

Step One was to make the decision to eliminate simple sugars from my diet and I made this decision a while back and have had a couple false starts in trying. My previous failures are largely a result of failing to tell enough people of my decision! That means subjecting myself to the scrutiny and pressure of my peers. The decision to eliminate simple sugars will be difficult as the sugar addiction is probably the single strongest and longest addiction of my life! I've eliminated other addictions from my life over the years including cigarettes(previously 2 pack a day smoker, quit 18 years ago), alcohol( just a problem since I started drinking pretty early on, quit over 20 years ago) and "other substances"( now 20 years clean and sober) but the sugar addiction has remained nearly constant for my entire 48 plus years. The addiction to sugars probably started as a comfort thing, rather than an escape thing, and has been problematic for my entire life and helped lead to my peak weight of nearly 450 pounds 3 years ago, along with other predilections towards obesity. I underwent a very difficult gastric bypass procedure 3 years ago on April 11, 2007 and it nearly killed me. Post-operative complications included infection, kidney failure and blood clotting that kept me in the hospital for over 6 weeks after surgery and kept me out of work for 6 months or longer, depending on who you ask! I came home with a handicapped parking placard and a walker, as well as a hospital bed on the first floor of our home since I could not get up a flight of steps! As the Virginia Slims ad used to say, "You've come a long way, baby" and I've decided not to risk my future health and happiness any longer. My goal weight of 190 pounds may seem extreme to some and probably is, but then again I'm a bit of an extremist anyhow! More to follow as it is 1115pm and I need to be up and exercising by 6am tomorrow morning for this plan to succeed! The idea for the blog is to open my life to the scrutiny of my friends and my enemies to hold myself accountable to succeed!