Originally Published: December 8th, 2024
2025
A year later, I could still do less of eating refined sugar and body shaming myself.
I am currently working through trauma with Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).
The trauma fog that successfully lifted for the processed index trauma has returned with a vengeance as I process trust.
My sugar cravings have all but consumed me. I have nightmares on a regular basis. When I think about trust and the ways I can trust people, my brain goes numb, in a vice-like state that focuses only on the negative or blanks out.
Include with this is my continued struggle to lose weight.
I look at myself in the mirror and wonder who is that woman looking back at me?
The good news is that, this too shall pass.
Time heals everything and as I continue to do the therapeutic hard work for trauma and stay sober with the support of a 12-Step program… my brain’s neuropathways will eventually change.
As well, as Christmas approaches, I will continue to bake cinnamon rolls, trying to perfect them using Bisquick baking mix.
S, 🌻
2024
I want to eat less sugar.
I was doing really great with it, until my return to school after summer break. Seeing all the kiddos sweet and sugary snacks like cookies and chocolate bars makes it more challenging to resist.
As well, I am an emotional eater – when I get stressed – I want something tasty like pastries, fudge, or brownies with a ginormous glass of cold milk to wash it down.
I also enjoy baking, especially in the winter. I like that cozy afternoon when all is clean, in its place, the snow falling while brownies bake in the oven sending that delicious sweet aroma all through our home.
While writing this, I remember a quinoa brownie recipe that is very tasty and a much healthier version to bake.
Body shame is a daily struggle for me.
Menopause and an anxiety medication I am taking makes losing weight a challenge.
As well, arthritis is developing in my knees therefore finding a type of exercise that doesn’t aggravate them is challenging.
I look at my body in the mirror remembering how it used to look a few years ago when I was running every day while taking CBD & THC for anxiety. Cannabis is an appetite suppressant and running melted away the body fat.
Maybe one day society will transition from an unrealistic version of what a woman’s body should look like with the soul-destroying use of airbrushing and photoshop – to the natural beauty we are in all our shapes and sizes.
S, 🌻
Natural beauty! 💛🌻💛
I wish North America would embrace natural beauty instead of photoshop, airbrushing and AI enhancing Apps! Gawd!! How awful!!
Yes, same here in the UK!
So unrealistic, false and dangerous!
I support your decision to stop eating sugar, and it truly does wonders. I stopped for health-related reasons, and my skin rejuvenated and cleared up after just two weeks on such a diet. I look as if I lost about 7-10 years! Sugar is a disaster, seriously. Fruits with a low glycemic index satisfy the craving for sweets, and over time, your body starts to perceive them as sweet enough. 🙂
If I could stop, you can too—I believe in you! 🙂
As for expectations, I guess the most important thing is to be healthy and in harmony with yourself 🙂
How did you cut refined sugar out of your diet? I’m a work in progress with my body image… I like how you say healthy and in harmony with myself… 💛🌻💛
Yes, I did completely cut it out 🙂
Have you heard of Kibbe body types? It really helps to embrace and emphasize our own beauty, which comes in different forms 🙂
No, I haven’t heard of Kibbe body types. I’ll Google it! I also Googled low glycemic index fruits! Thanks! 😊🌻💛
Beauty in all things. In a woman’s appetite and the changes it brings, too. God bless Rubens, and his spiritual successors, and Godspeed you on your journey.