The Art of Quitting Things...

Because of a contest I signed up for, I have gone an entire year without;
a donut
a candy bar
a piece of cake
ice creams
pie
soda (including diet)...
brownies, cookies, strudels, cheesecakes
chocolate.  choc. o. late....
caramels
jelly beans
buttermints
cinnamon jelly hearts
pudding/mousse/custard/whipped cream
etc
etc...


...you get the idea.

If you know me at all, you know that the above list was basically my diet as a whole, before the contest began.  You also know that my love for tasty treats is beyond reasonable or healthy.    One year is a major feat for me, people!

Do you know what I've learned from this experience, so far?  I could go forever without that stuff.  I really could.   It's not because I don't really want it anymore.  Oh, I want it.   But, I've learned that I could choose to, for the rest of my life, not partake of things which I really enjoy and were at one time the majority of my diet.

This I did not know or even think was possible for me a year ago.  

You know what else I've learned?  Those people who say, "After a while you stop craving it.  It gets easier!"  They're not really telling the truth.  At least, that is not my experience. 

I mean, sure, I've gotten used to saying no.  In that way, it gets easier.  But If there's one thing I've learned, for sure, it's this:

I will
 never

EVER

stop wanting all those good things on my list (and more).

EVER.

Granted, I've only given it 12 months.  Maybe for me it would require a few years of abstinence before getting to that point.   But, I don't think so.  Because when I was 14,  I started running and heard that soda was bad for runners, so I quit drinking it.  (At the time I was drinking Diet Coke every day).  I went soda free for a solid 10 years and throughout that entire time I would have periodic, strong cravings for some bubbly goodness. 

And so it has been with this challenge.  That picture of the Snicker's bar?  I was cutting it in half for my kids.  This was just two weeks ago.  And it was really hard for me.  I really, really wanted to eat it.

The moral of the story, children,  is this...Once you indulge (and know you like it), it's just too late.  You will want it forever and ever.  And if you choose to quit a thing, you will just have to spend the rest of your life resisting that thing.  That is the cold, hard facts.

But (the moral is not over)-

It's doable!  It is completely possible to quit a thing.  It only requires a compelling reason that is sustainable to keep you going.  This is a big deal for me! 

So.

Will I quit those delicious things that make life more fun, forever?   Um, I don't think so.  There has to be a pretty drastic reason for me to keep from indulging again in all those treats I love so much.

Like potential family ruin
or
death... (as in, immediate).

And I can't muster up a single reason that is strong enough to convince me that it's better to not have ice cream in one's life.

*****

And yes, I see how ever starting up again with sweets challenges the notion that I actually ever "quit" at all.  But I'm counting it.  I have to, otherwise I will get no satisfaction from this experience whatsoever and feel I have wasted a perfectly good year.  Okay? 

*****

So, I wait until this contest is over (which will be when I decide I'm done).   And that is the gem I choose to take from this experience.  This contest did not bring for me weight loss or boundless energy, or freedom from cravings, and likely not the grand prize -  but it did teach me that I can commit to something that is way out of my comfort zone and stick with it.