I’ve been overweight for most of my life and I couldn’t start to count how many times I let people know that I was starting a diet. I used that phrase as a way to help buffer me from the temptation I might encounter when out with friends or at work, but I still never enjoyed saying it. To me, I always felt like I was broadcasting something I didn’t like about myself to the world. I’m overweight, I’m not happy with myself, and I need a diet. This made everything more about the food I wasn’t supposed to eat and while folks were encouraging in the beginning, most didn’t know what to say or do when I began slipping off the wagon, sneaking the very food I swore never to eat again. The issue for me is that the word “diet” doesn’t really speak to an ending timeframe since it usually involves a weight goal that might take months or even years, so people never know when you’re finished. Needless to say that I don’t like the word “diet” very much.
When I started my month of no sugar and no flour last March, I specifically called it an experiment instead of a diet because it fit that criteria more. The experiment was if I could go without sugar and flour for one-month, which summed up my goals and a timeframe. This also made the experiment more of a test of willpower and showing that I was stronger than my food cravings, (even if it was for just a month). From the beginning, the word experiment empowered me to talk with others about what I was doing because I didn’t feel like I was broadcasting my weight issue when I spoke about it. I also found that people became more interested and encouraging about an experiment instead of a diet. I might be the only who ever felt this way, but it seemed that when I told people in the past I was on a diet, they would typically ask me what I was doing and after I answered, I could almost see their brain working on how long they felt I would last.
Sure with a month-long experiment you’ll still get some people who will say you’re crazy, but they won’t be able to calculate how long you’ll last. I actually encouraged my friends to take bets on how long I would last since I was such a sugar and flour addict. Any timeframe that gave me actually motivated me more to exceed their expectations. You’ll find that as you share your experiment with others, many will marvel at your ability to do it and will encourage you even more. My greatest response from folks was after just a couple of weeks when people I knew mentioned that I was motivating them to make a change in their lives.
So make the commitment now to call it a challenge or an experiment, but don’t call it a diet. If someone starts asking you about your diet, then nicely correct them and explain what it really is. You’re not doing some lose weight quick diet that will bring the pounds back a month later, you’re testing your resolve, willpower, and trying to discover what your life can be like without all the sugar, flour, and chemicals that you’ve been ingesting since you were 1.
Here’s your homework from this blog. If you’re committed to make this one month change, then tell people about what you will be doing. Tell your friends, your family, or that random person in line with you at the post office. Simply say the words, “Starting February 1st I will be going without sugar and flour for an entire month.” and see what happens from there. If you’re super shy, that’s fine, but still tell someone. If you don’t have the nerve to tell anyone yet, then tell me if it gets you started. Fill out the short form below and I’ll see it and be rooting for you.
When I began, I committed to doing a daily blog about what I ate and what I felt through my experiment. I also committed that I wouldn’t be afraid to let people know what I was trying to accomplish. These two things were important for my personal success, so I’m recommending you do something similar if possible.
As a special incentive to get you in the sharing mood, I am looking for people who aren't afraid to share their experience completing the no sugar and no flour challenge for a month. In exchange for your updates and thoughts, I will be happy to send you a copy of the special workbook/recipe book that is currently under construction and should be finished in March. You'll be the proud owner of a signed early edition! Fill out the form below and click that button so we can talk about what that looks like.
All the best!
John Graham
When I started my month of no sugar and no flour last March, I specifically called it an experiment instead of a diet because it fit that criteria more. The experiment was if I could go without sugar and flour for one-month, which summed up my goals and a timeframe. This also made the experiment more of a test of willpower and showing that I was stronger than my food cravings, (even if it was for just a month). From the beginning, the word experiment empowered me to talk with others about what I was doing because I didn’t feel like I was broadcasting my weight issue when I spoke about it. I also found that people became more interested and encouraging about an experiment instead of a diet. I might be the only who ever felt this way, but it seemed that when I told people in the past I was on a diet, they would typically ask me what I was doing and after I answered, I could almost see their brain working on how long they felt I would last.
Sure with a month-long experiment you’ll still get some people who will say you’re crazy, but they won’t be able to calculate how long you’ll last. I actually encouraged my friends to take bets on how long I would last since I was such a sugar and flour addict. Any timeframe that gave me actually motivated me more to exceed their expectations. You’ll find that as you share your experiment with others, many will marvel at your ability to do it and will encourage you even more. My greatest response from folks was after just a couple of weeks when people I knew mentioned that I was motivating them to make a change in their lives.
So make the commitment now to call it a challenge or an experiment, but don’t call it a diet. If someone starts asking you about your diet, then nicely correct them and explain what it really is. You’re not doing some lose weight quick diet that will bring the pounds back a month later, you’re testing your resolve, willpower, and trying to discover what your life can be like without all the sugar, flour, and chemicals that you’ve been ingesting since you were 1.
Here’s your homework from this blog. If you’re committed to make this one month change, then tell people about what you will be doing. Tell your friends, your family, or that random person in line with you at the post office. Simply say the words, “Starting February 1st I will be going without sugar and flour for an entire month.” and see what happens from there. If you’re super shy, that’s fine, but still tell someone. If you don’t have the nerve to tell anyone yet, then tell me if it gets you started. Fill out the short form below and I’ll see it and be rooting for you.
When I began, I committed to doing a daily blog about what I ate and what I felt through my experiment. I also committed that I wouldn’t be afraid to let people know what I was trying to accomplish. These two things were important for my personal success, so I’m recommending you do something similar if possible.
As a special incentive to get you in the sharing mood, I am looking for people who aren't afraid to share their experience completing the no sugar and no flour challenge for a month. In exchange for your updates and thoughts, I will be happy to send you a copy of the special workbook/recipe book that is currently under construction and should be finished in March. You'll be the proud owner of a signed early edition! Fill out the form below and click that button so we can talk about what that looks like.
All the best!
John Graham
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