It’s so hard to believe that March is almost over. When the year started, I promised to work toward feeling good in my own skin. Of course, we all start with the best intentions, don’t we. I started the year excited to be able to finally sign E up for child care at the gym and got back on the treadmill and in a strength training class. But that all fell apart quickly.
The worst part is that breastfeeding messes up this whole calorie counting thing big time. With my first two pregnancies, breastfeeding helped me get back into decent shape by this point – regardless of what I ate. Back in January and February, I wanted to eat all the junk all the time, the numbers on the scale kept increasing, and my pants were getting uncomfortably tight. Even now, E still wants to eat every 3 hours or so, and also wakes up to nurse at night. I know that I need at least 1600 calories a day to maintain milk supply, but the calorie counting apps were all saying to eat around 1400 calories to lose half a pound a week. I went back and forth between feeling starved and eating whatever junk I could find.
Something drastic had to happen. I felt like I had no control over what I was eating. So I gave up junk food for Lent. All of it. No cookies, no crackers, no chips, no ice cream, no candies, no meal replacement bars, no junk food at all.
And for someone who loves sweets, that was a very difficult decision.
What Happened When I Gave Up Junk Food for Lent
The first few days weren’t too bad. I missed the snacks, but stocked up on plenty of fruits and yogurt to keep cravings at bay. The scale didn’t budge, but I felt confident in my decision.
The next week, I came down with the flu…along with everyone else in the family. For a couple days I could hardly eat, and then after that I didn’t want anything but simple carbs because everything else just sounded too harsh on my stomach. Cereal became a staple. There was no exercise, but the scale was down five pounds. I waited anxiously, expecting the weight to come back.
By the last week in February I was pretty much recovered from the flu. That’s when the cravings really kicked in. Every time I doled out a snack for my kids, I looked longingly at their stash. Goldfish never looked so good to me in my life. Fruit and greek yogurt lost their luster, and I started to nosh on things like buttered toast and dry cereal.
The cravings really kicked in by March 12th, when all I could think about was snacks. I even started feeling regret that I gave up junk food for Lent. If you look through my Facebook page’s feed for March 7th through 14th, you’ll see that it’s full of decadent sweet treats. I even started daydreaming about what I could eat on Easter Day. And the scale was back up 2 pounds.
By the end of the 5th full week of Lent, I realized that even though I wasn’t eating traditional junk food, I hadn’t really done much to replace it with healthier options. Cereal became my new junk food. When we went grocery shopping that week, I was armed with a plan to get fruits that I knew I would enjoy, and with a plan to get more protein and water on a daily basis. By the end of the week I was back down those two pounds.
The sixth and final week, I finally started to feel some control. The cravings weren’t gone, but I felt like I could actually manage it. On the day before Easter I was down nearly 10 pounds and lost 2 percent body fat.
On Easter Day, I indulged in a Cadbury Egg and a piece of cake. The next morning I felt sick to my stomach.
What I Learned by Giving Up Junk Food
While I knew before taking this challenge that I control everything that I choose to eat, it just didn’t feel that way. Going through this exercise proved to me that I have the willpower to actually use that control.
I didn’t experience the life-changing revelations that others might have going through this process. I never lost my cravings. When I had sweets on Sunday they still tasted wonderful.
My plans are to continue to restrict junk food for myself while occasionally enjoying a treat here and there. But you know how plans go. Check back again at the end of April for another healthy living update.
What would be the hardest thing for you to give up?
How do you combat cravings?
Note: I don’t advocate using Lent as a way to lose weight. Because this isn’t a religious blog, I didn’t address my spiritual reasons for giving junk food up for Lent. If you would like to know more about that, please feel free to email me through the link on this page.
Linking up with the parties listed at the bottom of this page!
Subscribe via
Bloglovin, Facebook and Twitter
to get more updates!
Janine Huldie says
I seriously give you so much credit, because I a terrible with sweets and junk food. Doesn’t help that Halloween straight through Easter there is always some holiday that includes sweet in it for months on end. I, now, have endless amounts of Easter candy in our house not from me buying it for the girls, but from both sets of grandparents spoiling them rotten. And guess who is eating it? Hands raised high on this one. Seriously need more will power and thankful that the holidays are pretty much behind us once again for now.
Leslie says
Our parents do the same for our kids! It’s maddening. You’re right, the winter months and early spring are like one really long holiday full of sugar and fattening foods.
Nellie says
first of all OMG 10 pounds?! AMAZING!! SO proud of you!! I can imagine that the cravings were very intense. I have my own as well. It helps to vent to someone–just like that text message. I have a co worker doing whole 30 and we bounce back and forth on each other about making healthy decisions. The apps tell me to do 1200 for a pound loss a week….I am more in the 1400-1600 calorie range, the weight loss is slow but consistent and I will take it. Congrats mama on a fantastic lent!
Leslie says
Ugh calorie counting is one of my worst enemies! Let’s just say that between three different programs I had a recommended calorie range between 1200 and 1800 calories per day for the same goal. I say eat at a level that makes you fairly comfortable and don’t stress. If 1400 to 1600 works for you, that’s probably better in the long run!
Nina says
Looks like it all paid off Leslie, great job! I was listening to a podcast the other day about healthy eating and it reminded me yet again that we are what we eat. It was enough to convince me for at least the next two days to restrict junk food and to opt for vegetables over any other food. But, like you said, we’ll see how long that lasts lol!
Leslie says
Best of luck to you on that Nina! I think that the hardest part is finding those snacks that satisfy while also providing nutrition.
Tamara says
I seem to be feast or famine with junk food, and it normally has to do with my emotions. And this is going to sound strange – but it’s the opposite of many. When I’m stressed or depressed or in a crisis, I DON’T want junk food. Or really much food. But if I’m upset I don’t want to ruin junk food for myself. That sounds weird. When I’m more mentally sound, I love my treats. I’m not saying I go completely crazy. It’s just something about sunny and warm days that has me wanting ice cream.
Regardless, I do have a major sweet tooth -stressed or not.
Leslie says
That doesn’t sound crazy at all. I’ve had plenty of stressful times when I didn’t want to eat much…or perhaps it was just that I was too busy to eat…. Anyway, warm and sunny days definitely bring food images to my mind: grilling, summer fruit, frozen cocktails, summer salads. All the freshest and tastiest foods seem to be bountiful when it’s warm out!
Jen says
Wow my friend! Kudos to you. I don’t know if I could ever give up my doughnuts! Isn’t it crazy how after we clear our systems of stuff like that, even eating just a a little bit like a Cadbury egg and a piece of cake will mess with our system? I guess that ought to teach us something right?
Leslie says
It wasn’t easy, I have to admit. And that stuff really made me feel horribly sick the next morning. But I won’t pretend that I haven’t been enjoying some treats most days. I just have to keep it to small quantities now!
Candace says
I give you major props Leslie – I do not think I could do that! I am currently working on losing weight that I gained between my two pregnancies and it’s so tough. I feel like age, hormones, everything changes so what worked one time doesn’t work anymore to get off the weight. I just don’t know if I could give up the sweets – but I feel like I should try. Thanks for sharing! #ThursdayFavoriteThings
Leslie says
It’s definitely difficult to lose weight and get healthy. This was a really difficult exercise, but so worth it in the long run.
Pili says
We decided two years ago to fill some plastic bags with popcorn and give them as treats for kids on Halloween or other parties. It is amazing the amount of sweets that are around us! We the parents are in charge to control that.
I would love to invite you to share this at our new Sweet Inspiration party, which is live every Friday https://sweethings.net/sweet-inspiration-link-party1/.
Have a wonderful week!
Leslie says
Popcorn is a great snack for kids. I know my kids love to have it. Thanks so much for stopping by! I will definitely have to check out your party.
Jess says
Good for you… 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Leslie says
Thanks so much for hosting!
Selena, The Rambler says
I admire you on so many levels!! Glad I clicked this post on a different linky party =) I will be doing this…and am sure the struggle will be really really real. Wahhh. #turnituptuesday
Leslie says
Oh the struggle was definitely real. I’m thinking about doing it again this Lent, though. It was definitely an exercise in self-control. Let me know if you do it, and we can keep each other on track! ?
Janel says
This is so hard to do. Even if you do eat healthy sugar is in just about everything! I’ve given up junk & sugar a few times in my life it was hard but the results were great. Now I’ve fallen far off the wagon.
Leslie says
To be fair, I didn’t give up natural sugars. That would have been horrible. Armed with my first year’s experience, I’m going to try it again this Lent. Fingers crossed it goes better next time!
Leigh says
Thank you for linking up at the Healthy Living Link Party!
Blessings, Leigh
Leslie says
Thanks so much for hosting!
Amy says
Good for you for making a change! It’s so hard, isn’t it? I completely overhauled my diet a few years ago, due to a health scare. I was a decently healthy eater, but I’ve always had a fierce sweet tooth. I can remember how hard it was, how horrible the cravings were, and how LONG it took to adjust to the new diet. When I got pregnant 2.5 years ago, I totally fell off the wagon. Now, I am back on – mostly sugar free – and doing really well. Just keep at it, and don’t beat yourself up when you cave!
Leslie says
Thanks so much Amy! My sweet tooth is insane…as evidenced by all the dessert recipes here on the blog!