This challenge thing is pretty awesome. I’ve been issuing challenges to myself, and, oddly, not only have I accepted them, I’ve also been successful with them. Go figure.
Today it occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, I was starting to experience a shift in my mindset. I found myself reaching for a tangerine as a snack (or clementine… what’s the difference? anyone?) and I thought to myself that I was actually shifting my thought patterns.
The old me would have deemed a tangerine (or clementine) too much of a hassle to eat. After all, you have to peel it. The current me finds that line of thinking absurd. It’s not more difficult than opening a package of chips. Ok, well, maybe slightly more effort is involved, but really, it’s not much. Besides, the tangerine (or clementine) is so darn sweet and delicious.
Sweet. That’s my big issue. I’m pretty much a sugar junkie. I have to stay away from the sweet stuff, because when I start I have a hard time stopping. I’ve written about my Hot Tamale addiction before, but it’s really not an addiction… it’s more of an issue. If I have them, I eat them. If I don’t have them, I rarely go out of my way to get them. The truly addicted would move mountains to get a fix, but that’s not me. Know why? Because there are so many sugar-laden alternatives. It’s not the Hot Tamales that are the issue, it’s the sugar.
Yes, I know that tangerines (or clementines) are full of sweet, delicious, natural sugar. I’m okay with that. It’s the processed stuff that makes me nuts. I know this, and slowly I’m facing this particular demon.
No, it’s not crack. It’s not meth, or a fifth of vodka, or a needle full of heroin (do you even say that? a needle full?) but still, it’s an issue. I’m working on it, a little at a time. Every day it gets a little easier to make better choices. Every day I move a little closer to a full-on commitment to becoming my best me. Every day I make decisions that are becoming easier and easier. One challenge at a time, one week at a time, I’m working my way to a better, healthier, slimmer, fitter, more amazing me.
BulgingButtons 
February 4, 2015 at 11:55 pm
mmmm very yummy
February 7, 2015 at 10:48 am
I know! Who’d of thought?! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
February 5, 2015 at 3:03 am
I like this fruits very much, but I have to admit that I dislike the peeling :o) but they are great to comfort the sweeth tooth :o)
February 5, 2015 at 5:52 am
They’re a lot easier to peel than oranges, though. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
February 5, 2015 at 5:28 am
I try to remember to reach for fruit instead of a granola bar or some crackers. Sometimes I’m successful and sometimes not. But I’m getting better over time.
February 5, 2015 at 5:53 am
It seems silly that something so easy can be so difficult, doesn’t it? 🙂
February 5, 2015 at 6:32 am
Taking it one day at a time is the way to go. I think that sometimes it’s overwhelming to look at all of the choices we’re supposed to make and it’s hard. One step at a time is the way to go!
February 5, 2015 at 8:19 am
I completely agree. If I tried to make all the changes that I really ought to all at once I think I would explode. Thanks for the comment.
February 5, 2015 at 5:20 pm
I love them too, either tangerines or clementines! Indeed I’d highly appreciate one right now…
February 7, 2015 at 10:46 am
They really are tasty little things! 🙂