An Inspiring Guest Who Eliminated Cravings

image: Aran Goyoaga

One of our retreat guests inspired our team so much that I want to share her story with you all.

In 1982, she was 5’5” and weighed 230 lbs. Being overweight was causing her some depression and low self-esteem.

One day, in 1982, she was sitting on the subway, eating a chocolate bar, and thinking about how she desperately needed to lose weight.

Suddenly, in a moment of clarity, she looked at the chocolate and realized that junk food certainly wasn’t helping her lose weight. In that moment, she resolved to stop eating all types of dessert altogether, and see what happened. She didn’t change anything else – just eliminated sugar.

Amazingly, she stuck to it: she hasn’t had a drop of sugar since that day in 1982. For 28 years, she has been ‘sugar sober’.

What is wonderful is that she didn’t set out to cut out sugar for life – she just took it one day at a time.

When we hosted her, she was as slim as can be – not too skinny, but absolutely within her normal BMI range.

The other guests were curious when she declined all raw desserts that were offered – she simply explained that she treats herself as a recovering alcoholic would treat alcohol – not one drop.

“Don’t you miss desserts?” they’d ask. “Not at all – I don’t even notice it. I much prefer being healthy and happy.”

The thought of cutting out sugar completely can be scary when we’re starting a new cleanse. However, every single person I know who has cut out sugar or junk food reports:

• After 1-2 weeks, cravings vanish
• They have a higher level of happiness
• They can enjoy the smell of tempting foods without needing to eat them
• They are infinitely happier this way than experiencing mood swings which sugar contributes to

To learn more about how to kill cravings, have a look at our 3-part series here:

http://houseofverona.com/how-to-kill-junk-food-cravings-part-1/

http://houseofverona.com/how-to-kill-junk-food-cravings-part-2/

http://houseofverona.com/how-to-kill-junk-food-cravings-iii/

Learn from the Norwegians

In small Norwegian ski towns, the locals are thoroughly proud to be outdoors-men and women.

They relish cross-country skiing, running, fishing, and being outside all day with family.

As North Americans who live in colder areas, we often curse the winter for getting in the way of our lives.

Let’s instead embrace winter as a critical part of life.

We at the House of Verona now propose that we welcome the cold as part of our proud identity. Let’s stand up for the fact that we wear 5 layers before we go out.

If the Scandinavians can look fabulous in the winter, what’s stopping us from doing the same? Let’s:

• Run outside
• Go shopping outdoors instead of in malls
• Sit on a patio
• Go skating
• Walk & do lunges in a nearby park

Challenge yourself to do something you would only do in the summer.

Be strong. You can do it. And it’ll make you a better person for it.

Photo credit: Ida Frosk