<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Challenge Accepted</span></h3>
<span style="color: #000000;">I'm excited to share with everyone how I am getting ready for the 25 Days of Christmas No Sugar Challenge! It all started when my teenage daughter wanted me to take her to a nail salon for acrylic nails. I am not a big fan of fake nails but I am a big fan of self-improvement. I've been doing really pretty well changing my diet. However,  it can be hard to maintain that when other people in the house are not following the same eating habits.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">I told my daughter that I would take her to get her nails done on the condition that she joined me in the 25 Days of Christmas "No Sugar" Challenge.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">She agreed!</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">In fact, she said that this was just the thing that she would like to see herself do since she admits that she gets too tempted by sugary foods, and even has sugar cravings.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">The challenge is to spend the 25 days before Christmas eliminating sugar from our diets. That means not consuming foods that have refined sugar as an ingredient.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">Have you ever tried to do this? Have you read labels? Tons and tons of food have sugar as an ingredient.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">Even foods that say "no sugar added" are dangerous because they have those fake chemical sugars added to them. Nothing seems to be safe unless it is a food in its simplest, original form or a food that you prepare yourself to control the ingredients. I'm sure there are foods at the grocery store that could meet the No Sugar Challenge but it takes a long time to read labels and find them!</span>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Preparation</span></h3>
<span style="color: #000000;">The kids and I started to "eat down" the food that is in the fridge and pantry that contain any amount of sugar. Some things have gone and are not coming back.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">As things like instant oatmeal and bagels have disappeared from the pantry, they are being replaced by eggs, fruit, and other similar choices. Simple is best.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">We have started to discuss these changes, and identify new foods that will be introduced into the common, everyday diet.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">Meal planning will be easier if we plan for a few days at a time, rather than a whole week, as we adjust to the changes.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">I also have the <a style="color: #000000;" title="DDP Yoga" href="http://ddpyoga.com/" target="_blank">DDP Yoga</a> meal plan to aid us.</span>
<h3><span style="color: #000000;">Predictions</span></h3>
<span style="color: #000000;">I am excited to do this challenge, and so is my daughter. My other daughter doesn't really care about sugary foods, so it will be easier for her to join us.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">When my daughter told her friends at school what we were doing, most of them said it sounded terrible and unmanageable. One friend said that she supported her in the challenge.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">I think that, besides the health benefits, it will be a very eye-opening experience to the dynamic of quitting a substance that is such a big part of our lives. It's in so many foods, and it's in our faces everywhere in advertising.</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">Isn't it amazing how upset people can become at the threat of taking away their sugar? I know that many people struggle with limiting the sugar in their daily diet, especially when it comes to soda. </span>

<span style="color: #000000;">Stay with me, and see what happens. Or, join us! And share your story!</span>

<span style="color: #000000;">To your health!</span>

<address><span style="color: #000000;">Diana</span></address><span style="color: #000000;">[author] [author_image timthumb='on']http://dianazilly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/profile-pic-2015.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]by Diana Zilly, MS, MA, LPC, NBCFCH.  Diana is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Joliet Junior College. [/author_info] [/author]</span>

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