It would be accurate to say that I am a sugar addict. However, I did not set out to quit sugar permanently. I do not have the will power to change a life long addiction. The idea was more of a whim. “Can I go a week without sugar?” It was more of a challenge to myself. Though I lack the will power I can be stubborn.

Hooray!!! I did it. And having done it, I went to the ‘office’ and as was my usual habit, I bought a Zinger, (a chocolate Twinkie if you will) and a 8 oz. bottle of chocolate milk. Can chocolate be an addiction? My ego wasn’t deflated. I had accomplished what I had intended to do, go a week without sugar. But could I go longer and in fact could I permanently quit sugar. Paying for my Zinger and chocolate milk I observed the monetary quotient, and therein lied another motivational aspect.

I should go back and describe my ‘office’. It contains a Dunkin Donut, a Subway, a Foodmart that sells considerably more than food and is where one pays for the gas they purchase. In other words a Shell Gas Station. I call it my ‘office’ because it has all the amenities one would want for someone like me who at 80 has long since retired from the workforce.

Ten years ago, it was my habit (there’s that word again) to go to the office and may or may not for to get gas for the car. I would first go to Dunkin’ Donuts and purchase a hot cup of medium black coffee and 2 donuts. Approximately, this would cost $4. Then over to the food mart side and buy a pack of cigarettes. Another $11 (at that time.) I did this, I kid you not, everyday. A brain storm washed over me calculating how much I just spent; every day, week, month and year. Holy Moly… I quit right there…

I had been a smoker all my life. I loved smoking. But the thought of me spending $15 a day (and I had been for awhile) was to much for me. I had no plan, I just did it, cold turkey. In spite of the advice that people who quit ‘cold turkey’ don’t last, I was determined. For me, 3 days was the critical moment. I had tried to quit many times before and in fact once I did quit for 7 years but a suicide in the family brought together all my family who also smoked and I caved.

I determined this time would be different. 3 days, a week, a month, and on and on until I forgot how long it had been since I did quit. All I knew was that it had been a few years now. I’ll tell you who did know though, the guys behind the register at the ‘office’ they knew. 2014. So now its been 10 years and there is no threat of me ever going back.

I started over and went another week. I hadn’t weighed myself after going almost 2 weeks and when I did I had lost 7lbs. So, now I had another motivation to quit sugar for good. That looked like a tall order what with birthday parties, the holidays all coming up but like I said I am determined.

So, I decided to add bread to my NOT EATING list. Not for any weight loss reasons, I am not on a diet. Call it a regimen if you must call it anything. I do have diabetes II, COPD, congested heart failure, severe arthritis, etc. But I have had these for years now but this could benefit my A1c count. There’s no intended lesson to be learned here. I just thought I would put to words what my current life is like for me now. Happy Trails…