Day 1 - The Sugar Challenge Lesson

Find Your Why and ABCs 

I think we all know that too much added sugar is bad for our bodies. Sugar can cause a multitude of health problems, ranging from fatigue to diabetes. Even though we know excess sugar isn’t good for us, many still struggle to cut back on it. 

 What you may not know is that people who consume too much added sugar are also at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and obesity. These health issues should motivate you to rethink sugar, but if you need even more inspiration, consider that sugar can also lead to brain fog, low energy, and lack of focus. It’s important to shift your perspective from seeing sugar as a comfort or innocent indulgence to seeing it as what it truly is – detrimental to your health and your overall well-being.

Before I move on, I want to acknowledge that cutting back on sugar is hard and let you know that you're not alone in your struggle. Lots of people face this same battle with sugar, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Remember, each small victory is a step towards freedom. I know many who have been set free, and I believe you can be too!

 I hope this plan helps you to stop making sugar the god of your life and helps you focus on the one true God. He is the only one who can help you break your addiction! God wants you to live a full life and experience all He has planned for you. Sugar, however, is keeping way too many of us from feeling our best and is interfering with His great plans.

 In today’s video, I talk about the ABC,s which addresses the role your faith plays in this victory. I would love for you to pause for a moment and Ask God to help you on your journey. It’s important that you truly Believe that He can help you – examine your heart and decide if you do. If you don’t, talk honestly with Him and ask Him for the faith to believe. I also want you to Check your motive to determine your driving factor in wanting to change your sugar habit.

 In figuring out your motive, the best place to start is to ask yourself, “Why” you want to end your sugar addiction. I want you to keep asking yourself a series of “Whys.” For example, you might say, “I want to get sugar out of my diet to lose weight.” Why? “Because I don’t feel good about myself right now.” Why? “Because I don’t enjoy it when family comes over.” Why? “Because I can’t get on the floor easily to play with my grandchild.” That is your why! You want to remove sugar from your diet so that you can spend quality time with your grandchildren and show them the love of God. 

Dig deep and find the core reason. This reason will motivate you to make a change and will serve as your anchor, especially during tough times when cravings hit hard.

 Over the next 5 days, you will learn how important your mindset is for your success, how to find hidden sugars in foods, how your decisions determine your outcome, how to fight off temptations, and how ending your sugar addiction will impact the people around you. 

 Each day, you will watch a short video and be presented with challenges and questions. 

Thoughtfully writing out the answers to the questions is a crucial part of the plan, as it allows you to organize your thoughts and reflect deeply on your journey. By taking the time to carefully consider your responses, you create a valuable resource that you can refer back to at any time, helping you track your progress and stay aligned with your goals.  This will be a space to explore your ideas, emotions, and growth in a meaningful way. Remember, your answers are completely private and solely for your own viewing, ensuring that you can be honest and authentic in your reflections, which is key to personal growth and development.

Prayer

Father God, I come to you and ask for your help to set me free from this sugar addiction. I ask for your forgiveness in the way I have abused Your temple. Please help me gain self-control and motivation to fight my cravings. Let me crave You and fill me with Your Spirit. Amen.

Challenge

1. Ask yourself WHY repeatedly until you get to the root of why you want to end the habit of eating too much sugar.
2. Reduce your sugar intake to 24 g (or less) of added sugar each day.

JAMES 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

PSALMS 107:20

He sent out his word and healed them;

he rescued them from the grave.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.