Food Log Case Study

The client's food log was extreme. She tracked every bite she ate and calculated the calories in each item. In the log, she described every workout and the calories she had burned. She was working out several times a day.

The most extreme thing about her food log was that it included almost nothing but sugar: pastries, chocolate, malted milk Whoppers, fat-free muffins. All day.

Her health issues were fairly severe and varied: irregular menstrual cycles, endometriosis, breast engorgement and tenderness, chronic fatigue, and quite a bit more. None had been diagnosed as linked with her diet.

She didn't feel ready to quit sugar, but was, in her words, "willing to cut back."

I saw a drawback or two with that approach but was convinced that her
True, the first time or two that you shop using this list - and it's a good idea to take it with you to the grocery store at first - you might need to spend a little extra time reading all the labels.

After a couple of trips to the store, though, you'll know what you can buy and what to skip. At that point, shopping will be just as easy as it is now.

As for my Sugar Warrior client, she's been working on reducing sugars for a while now. Yes, during her process, some of my fears were justified. Eating little bits of sugar made her crave more sugar. That made it difficult for her to eliminate cravings. She still battles them. She still thinks of desserts as a viable option when she's stressed, and has to tell herself "no" each time. The individual "no" doesn't always work.

But her health has been improving. Her energy has increased a lot. And that has provided enough encouragement and motivation to get her committed to quitting sugar