Rolling Without Sugar

I generally have a hard time writing these “half-way” points in my resolution month because the moment I sit down to translate my thoughts and feelings I realize how terrible I am doing at my resolution. Now, here I am, halfway through July’s sugar-free month and I also am having a hard time writing but for a different reason. There is just too much I want to say about the subject.

 

In a nut-shell… not eating sugar (basically cutting out anything that isn’t a naturally occuring sugar) is tough, but I have been doing half decent at it. Despite it being the most challenging resolution so far for the first week… its a lot easier now 16 days in.

Why ? Well, I have a lot of help. The internet is filled with all sorts of nice little tid-bits on how to cook without it, what products to avoid, and meal plans. It was time consuming for the first couple weeks, I won’t lie. Grocery shopping took me at least 50% longer  as I read every single label trying to find where they have snuck in the sugar, but now I know what I can and can’t eat so its a quick. My partner is doing it with me and its so awesome to have someone on the same journey to help support and encourage. I also feel amazing. … but this could have to do with a lot of things. I have also majorly cut down on my coffee intake – only having one when I actually have time to sit and enjoy it and not just drink it as a stimulant or out of habit. Also, meat of any kind doesn’t grace our table very often which seems to work for my body.

So what does that leave to eat? A variety of amazing veggies, fruit, and other delicious items that don’t need sugar to sweeten them up.

Its not all sunshine and roses, however. I still get cravings, eating out is pretty challenging, and once July is finished I am nervous that I will just fall back into old patterns. Depsite those fears, as with all of my resolutions, I believe just culitvating awareness plays an important role and helps me make better choices in all aspects of my life.

 

Loving the journey!

Namaste

x Carly

Yoga: What is your perception?

As I was prepping for a one-on-one session with a patient I found myself intercepting a conversation. I am a fairly obvious eavesdropper at the best of times but my ears and heart always will perk more at the mention of yoga.

A couple women who do private Pilates sessions at the clinic were discussing their current injuries. One was complaining of back pain and said something along the lines of “I should maybe try doing more yoga” . I smiled as I gathered my props feeling the warmth of triumph at the statement. My feeling was short-lived, as most triumphant moments are, when the other women replied “No, yoga will make it worse. I get worse when I go to yoga. My boyfriend won’t even let me go to class. He just tells me to do more Pilates because that doesn’t hurt me. All yoga will hurt you.”

Now usually I am pretty non-bias when it comes to people’s opinions on things but to hear this blanketed statement being said about yoga really aggrevated me. Taking it too personally ….?  most definitely. I make a living primarily teaching yoga as a form of therapy for individuals with acute or chronic issues. This women’s statement immediately effected me because I felt like it was a attack on MY profession as well as MY abilities as a health-care worker.

I did not hesitate to make myself a part of the conversation by adding “It depends on the type of yoga” … I then turned up my nose, gathered the rest of my props and went into the treatment room where I let my patient quickly jump to MY and yoga’s defense.

Okay… so I as tempting as it is to decide that this women is ignorant and I am the one who “knows best”  I need to look at the bigger picture here. Who or what is really at fault? Inquire.

-The words MY, I, ME played a big role in this whole exchange. Enough said. It was only a perceived personal attack because this women doesn’t know who I am, my patient’s, or what I do.

-I don’t know anything about this women, her body, or her previous experience with yoga.

-The perception of yoga varies from person to person due to experiences, history, and the media and not everyone is aware or fully understands of the different aspects of it.

-Perceptions can be dangerous and extremely limiting. I strongly believe that there should always be an open inquiry about our lives whether things are good or bad, whether a type of treatment hurt or healed, whether a certain food felt nurturing or inhibiting.

-In the end, we all have a choice and we all have to be conscious on what we are stating as FACT to people. I try to be really careful about “preaching” the benefits of yoga because its not every individual is going to resonate with it. There are many different forms of exercise, breath work, meditation, and therapy that work for different folks.

What are your perceptions?

*Remember this is merely an inquiry into my own thought process as well as the space & people around me. The world is not black and white … its full of color.

Namaste

x Carly

Unbending

Unbending

How did this beauty

Come so swiftly my way

When hope had been lost

My heart decayed

He spoke “why do you do this

Let them take your power

You are a Goddess of love

The queen of the hours”

My reply was weak

and completely unknowing

Already given in

To the loneliness growing

Then with a voice

As strong as the tides

He thrust “You are beautiful

You are divine”

As the stranger left

A new sensation arrived

I was worth more than that

I was worth love in this life

Let go of the sadness

and the role that I spoke

To fix all the men

That appeared to be broke

It was my turn to feel

Without pain or doubt

My turn to learn

What this love was all about

And than there you were

Right out of the blue

With your zest of life

Brightly shining through

There was no guessing

and only trust

And soon we went

From you and I to us

Now you are mine

and I am yours

My spirit awakened

Discarding the unsure

Our unbending hearts

stay strong, stay true

There is no replacement

for the wonder that is you

Sugarfree July

I missed out on doing a mid-month post about my June truths… consciously?? Perhaps. Although, I do feel it was a success. I am feeling dramatically better in regards to my self-image and was diligent about only speaking when I had something completely true to say. The culmination of it all happened near the end of the month when my longest, bestest friend came for a visit. A fellow yoga goddess and someone I admire deeply for her courage and eagerness to explore. When had many long talks about all things yoga. For anyone that knows yoga teachers, that generally means talks about life and living yogic-ly. She recently gave up sugar for a teacher training and it was interesting to see how her own body image has changed and how awesome it was to see her stay true to her goal. So that brings me to July with my new resolution… No sugar.

While my friend was here I discovered a surprising number of products contain sugar. Things I didn’t even consider. When I think of my own eating habits… sugar isn’t really on my radar as an indulgence. I put raw sugar in my coffee in the morning and eat the occasional treat and will most definitely get  a fountain coca-cola when I go to the movies but that’s hardly ever. But as my friend and I scanned the grocery store for supplies for dinner and snacks for the week I was shocked that only one of 10 different brands of granola didn’t contain sugar. Almost every cereal has sugar or a form of as the second or third ingredient and  countless other products line the shelves with sneaky sugar added in. The time is now… sugarless July!

It’s day 4 and am feeling my lack of sugar for the first time as my body slowly lets go of what is still remaining. I have come to realize how much sugar I do consume… consciously or not. So many fruits and spices contain natural sugars and sweetness to them and I am looking forward to getting back control of my taste buds that have been tainted by the food industry’s glutenous use of refined sugars. ***Also as a side challenge my partner and I have also stopped drinking coffee… a major part of my sugar consumption.

Gratitude to Keira for inspiring me and Wes to do this and of all my resolutions so far, I am very interested to see how it plays out.

Do you have thoughts or tips to share? I would love to hear them.

Namaste

xo

Carly