My name is Jocelyn Babiarz and I'm a sugar addict.

That's right people... I love my sugar. Well, I have made you all a promise and even though I royally screwed up today (I forgot to mention the pizza for dinner tonight in my last blog), I am going to get back on that wagon and try it again. After some awesome responses from some of you on Facebook about going through sugar withdrawals, I did a little research and this is some of the stuff I found:

"What you eat affects more than physical health. Two new studies have added to the growing evidence linking the stomach and the brain."

"In a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers studied how junk food can trigger addiction behaviors. The brain chemical corticotropin-releasing-factor, CRF, is linked to motivation, and plays a role in drug and alcohol withdrawal and relapse. Researchers had rats eat normal food, then binge on sugar and chocolate-flavored snacks. When the rats went off the junk, they expressed CRF, just as do rats going through withdrawal. The rodents also had more anxiety and were less interested in normal food."

Yes, I am comparing my sugar addiction to rats, but hey, it makes sense. It's probably why I could never stick to anything longer than a couple days because I always had that terrible headache and MAJOR cravings. I know this is no surprise to a lot of you, but sometimes you need that kick in the butt (a couple times over in my case) to realize what you already knew. SO, I am going to try this again (minus the damn lemon water because I just... can't do it). I am going back to whole foods. I wouldn't talk to me for the next couple days... just in case.

Here is also an article I found if your interested (you know if you want to join SAG or sugar addicts group):

The 7-Step Sugar Addicts Guide to Overcoming Sugar Addiction

1. Admit that you're a sugar addict. Just like with any addiction, the first step in overcoming sugar addiction is to accept that you're an addict and understand the consequences. Sugar addiction can cause:

• Weight gain from eating more fattening food to get your sugar-fix.
• High triglycerides, increasing your risk of heart disease.
• Tooth decay from excessive bacterial growth.
• Metabolic syndrome, leading to diabetes.
• Poor nutrition from empty calories.
• Lack of immunity to disease.
• Periods of depression.
  

2. Know the benefits of a sugar-free life. Besides reversing all the drawbacks listed above, overcoming sugar addiction helps you lose weight, greatly improve your health, energy and endurance – both now and in the future – and makes you look and feel younger and healthier.

3. Become a "hidden sugar" detective. Sugar is hiding everywhere. Don’t stick your head in the sugar bowl or get blind-sided by sweet temptation. Know all the different sugar names and choose healthy low glycemic foods from the glycemic foods index to keep blood sugar stable.

4. Extract your sweet tooth – cold turkey. Sugar is too addictive to wean yourself slowly. Plan ahead, clean out your pantry and take some time off for withdrawal symptoms to pass. Look for new ways to comfort yourself – like a warm bath and good book.

5. Learn to love nature's natural sweeteners. Once you get through the first few days, fruits and other natural foods will start tasting sweeter. Stevia, a naturally sweet herb, can help sweeten food and drinks, but don't go overboard. Your objective is to reduce your taste for super sweet foods and excess use of artificial sweeteners only keeps mental cravings alive.

6. Make friends with naturally sweet people. If you were a recovering alcoholic, you wouldn’t hang out in bars with drunks. So make friends who support your sugar-free lifestyle. When eating out, break whole grain bread with wholesome people and choose tasty sugar-free foods.

7. Clean sugar out of your body and mind. It takes 3 to 7 days to overcome the physical addiction. But overcoming emotional attachments to sweet comfort foods could take longer. Here are some guidelines.

• Use the low glycemic diet and list of glycemic foods to help you choose healthier, more appropriate comfort foods to sooth cravings.

• Eat smaller meals 5 or 6 times a day. Don't get hungry. Haveprotein with every meal or snack to keep your blood sugar stable.

• Drink plenty of water to help wash out sugar and toxins.

• Make overcoming sugar addiction you're main focus. Don't start a new diet or exercise program while still going through sugar withdrawal. Weight loss is usually a natural result of giving up sugar.

• If you slip up, forgive yourself, have some protein to stabilize your blood sugar, brush your teeth, drink a cup of mint tea, take a walk or do whatever it takes to get back on track in a sugar-free groove.