As I wrap up the final week of the Simply Sweet Challenge, I find it valuable to reflect on my progress – what went well, what I learned and what I plan to continue doing. This reflection not only provides perspective on my journey but also reinforces my commitments to making sustainable improvements in my health.
What Went Well
Overall the challenge went well. My consumption of added sugar was drastically reduced as a result of the challenge. In the first 5 weeks or so I was hitting my goal of less than 10 grams of added sugars 6 days/week and less than 35 grams 1 day/week. Then I had a minor set-back, got back on track, then became lax this past week. I didn’t slip into old patterns, but I didn’t track my added sugar intake and had more than 1 day/week where I had more than 10 grams but less than 35 grams of added sugar. I pre-prepped fruits and vegetables 7 out of 10 weeks which is a massive change for me, as I had never done this prior to doing the challenge.
What I Learned
Doing this challenge allowed me to lean into my feelings, as I found that much of my added sugar intake was related to emotional eating. By becoming more self aware of my feelings, I was able to deal with them in healthier ways, rather than stuff them with junk. I also became more mindful of what I was eating and when I did indulge in a sweet, it was an enjoyable experience and not one filled with guilt. I also found having fruits and vegetables at the ready by prepping my snack and sort box, helped me make gravitate towards consuming them for snacks. I was even able to use them for meals, making the cooking process easier and quicker.
What I Will Continue
For now, I am going to ditch the counting of added sugars, and instead focus on choosing fruits and vegetables for snacks and indulge in sweet treats that are reasonably portioned on weekends and/or special occasions. I will definitely continue washing and prepping fruits and vegetables on the weekends, as this was one of the biggest contributing factors for my success.
-Megan
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