No Sweets? No Sweat!

I should have waited a bit longer to quit.

"Surprise me," I told the bartender.

Over the course of our stay in Mexico, I ate and drank a lot. And why shouldn't I? I was on vacation, and the food and drinks were plentiful and delicious. I was at a beach resort where I was totally committed to a period of pure leisure, and I was going to enjoy myself.

I did make some dietary decisions, though: I refused any bread that was offered at the restaurants and with the exception of the first and last days, I had no dessert. I was reserving my caloric intake for the myriad cocktails that were in endless supply.

I gained weight on this vacation.

But upon my return to Ottawa, I resolved to avoid any processed sugar for at least the end of February or perhaps at least until my birthday, in early March. (If someone wanted to bake me a cake, I'd hardly say no.)

I've also avoided alcohol since my return. That's not a difficult thing to do, as it's only been since Saturday. I can go for long periods without consuming beer or wine, and while I haven't set any moratorium on alcohol, I'm in no rush to have a glass of anything.

I certainly had more than my fair share of margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, and more in Akumal Bay.

Avoiding sugar isn't much of a challenge for me but it is more challenging than giving up booze. If there are sweets in the house, I'll usually seek them out, especially in the afternoon, when I'm looking for a snack. And we have plenty of sugary treats in the house.

Over the Christmas break, we had lots of candy in the house. My mom gave us a large tin of the Quality Street confections. We had boxes of Turtles for everyone. Our stockings were filled with assorted treats from Purdy's. And I had given DW a box of Pot of Gold chocolates.

Even in February, we still have lots of sweets in the house. And I walk past them every day.

DW has an even bigger sweet tooth than I have, and if there isn't something sugary in the house, she'll bake something. Something irresistible.

But I'm going to be strong. I'm going to resist temptation. February is a short month. My birthday is less than a month away.

I can do this.

And man, can I not wait until bike season returns.

Wish me luck.