It all starts so innocently. You indulge in a little bit of sweet here and there, but before you know it—you’re hooked! Or if you’re like me, and grew up in a poor household with little education about nutrition and ate little debbie cakes for breakfast - you've been hooked!
Have you gone through the motions of being a sugar addict, feeling guilty and trying to break the cycle only to find yourself back at square one with your hand in the cookie jar? Let’s take a look at what happens when we eat too much sugar, why it’s bad for us, and how we can break free from its grip.
The Effects of Too Much Sugar
Sugar is everywhere we turn these days—from soft drinks to snacks to desserts. Food manufacturers add it to everything because they know it makes us want (and buy) more. It is even in deli meat! But consuming high amounts of sugar has consequences that go beyond just weight gain or diabetes. Eating too much sugar can have an impact on our moods, energy levels, skin health, gut health, heart health and more! Too much sugar hinders our capacity for Joy! Here are some of the symptoms of too much sugar in our diets:
Fatigue – Eating large amounts of sugar over time can cause fatigue due to sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar levels.
Mood swings – High amounts of sugar can cause irritability and mood swings due to the fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Weight gain – Consuming too much sugar causes our bodies to store fat rather than burn it off as energy.
Skin problems – Excessive consumption of sugary foods causes inflammation which may lead to acne or other skin concerns.
Gut issues – When our gut bacteria become unbalanced due to excessive consumption of sugary foods this can lead to digestive issues such as bloating or constipation.
Heart problems – Eating too much sugar increases risk for heart disease by raising cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
So How Do We Break Free From Sugar Addiction?
Breaking free from any addiction is hard work but fortunately there are a few tricks that can help us kick our cravings for good! Start by eliminating added sugars from your diet as much as possible (this means avoiding processed foods). Focus on eating fresh whole foods such as fruits and vegetables that provide natural sugars without all the negative side effects associated with processed sugars. Lastly, drink plenty of water throughout the day–it will help keep you hydrated and full so you don’t reach for sugary snacks out of boredom or dehydration!
If you think you might be addicted to sugar consider taking steps now towards breaking free from your addiction! Reducing your intake is key but don't forget that eating fresh whole foods will also help provide natural sweetness without all the negative side effects associated with processed sugars. And finally make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day–it will help keep you hydrated and full so you won't be reaching for unhealthy snacks out of boredom or dehydration! If we take small steps every day towards breaking free from our addiction then eventually we'll be able to kick it for good!
I have found that having accountability and support makes me more successful. If you are looking for a FREE and easy program to help you walk through breaking your sugar addiction and has an active community of people supporting you, message us! We can get you connected.
Do you ever feel lost or unsure of your next steps in life? If so, chances are that you may need a little faith to get back on track. Whether you’re a spiritual person or not, having faith in yourself, God and creation can bring joy and light into your life. It can provide guidance when times are tough and comfort when you’re feeling down. Let’s take a look at why faith is so important for an everyday woman.
The Power of Positive Thinking
Having faith means believing in something greater than yourself - it’s trusting that whatever happens will work out in the end. It means being able to stay positive even when things don't go as planned. Having this kind of mindset can help reduce stress and anxiety because it takes away some of the pressure of needing to figure everything out right away. By allowing yourself to be guided by a higher power, you can trust that everything will eventually fall into place and create positive outcomes in your life.
Self-Love & Self-Care
Faith helps us to love ourselves more deeply and practice self-care on a regular basis. When we have faith, we know that we are worthy of good things and deserve to feel our best both physically and emotionally. We become more aware of our needs and make sure that we prioritize them before anything else. We value ourselves enough to know that taking care of ourselves is essential for our own wellbeing, which makes us happier overall!
A Sense of Community
Having faith also helps us connect with other people who share similar values or beliefs. We often find comfort and peace within these communities because it makes us feel like we belong somewhere. This kind of connection allows us to support each other through difficult times while celebrating successes together too! It makes us feel less alone on this journey called life which is invaluable for any woman trying to make her way through the world today. We have an online community like this that you are welcome to join. Joy for Everyday Women.
Faith is powerful – it gives us strength when we’re feeling weak, courage when faced with fear, and hope during moments of despair. It provides us with an inner knowing that better days are ahead no matter how bleak things may seem right now. For an everyday woman, having faith means having something bigger than herself to believe in; something she can rely on for guidance, support, and love every step along the way!
Want to cultivate more joy in your life? Get my guide Cultivate Joy by practicing spiritual disciplines and How to Get Started HERE
If you're a woman who feels like she's constantly doing too much and never has enough time, you're not alone. In fact, you're probably in the majority. Women are known for being caretakers and often put everyone else's needs before their own. As a result, they can easily become overwhelmed and stressed out. But just because it's common doesn't mean it's okay. So what can you do about it?
Acknowledge that you're doing too much. The first step to managing your stress is to admit that you're taking on more than you can handle. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you have to do everything yourself, but that's simply not true. Superwoman is not a job requirement for your life. There are only so many hours in the day, and at some point, you have to cut yourself off. Otherwise, you'll never have any time for yourself and you'll end up burning out.
Set boundaries with other people. I find this difficult, but doable. Once you've acknowledged that you need to cut back on your commitments, it's time to start setting some boundaries with other people. This can be difficult, especially if you're used to saying "yes" all the time, but it's essential if you want to reduce your stress levels. Start by saying "no" to any new commitments and gradually begin withdrawing from existing ones as well. Remember, your time is precious and you should only be spending it on things that are truly important to you.
Make time for yourself every day. One of the best ways to deal with stress is to make sure you're taking care of yourself both physically and mentally. This means exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks when you need them. It might seem impossible to find the time to do all of these things when you're already so busy, but trust me, it's worth it. If you don't take care of yourself, no one else will.
Seek professional help if necessary. If your stress levels are starting to affect your mental health or physical wellbeing, it might be time to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it—it's nothing to be ashamed of. Remember, your health should always be your top priority.
Stress is a common issue for women who try to do too much, but that doesn't mean there's no solution. By acknowledging the problem, setting boundaries with other people, making time for yourself every day, and seeking professional help if necessary, you can learn how to manage your stress in a healthy way and live a happier life as a result.
Here is a good read that gave me that nudge I needed to feel better about saying, "no."
If you are ready to take the next step in taking care of yourself, you should consider hoping into the next 11 Day Jumpstart with us. We are reversing inflammation which is the first step to everything you don't want to happen in your body..... and while we do it, weight falls off and energy increases as well. The program is totally free (all you have to pick up is the few vitamins/supplements you need to do the jumpstart. If you are interested just reach out through email or text/messenger. Deanna and I can get you into the group. For more information on the 11 Day Jumpstart CLICK HERE.
Remember to claim your joys daily! Life is too short not to acknowledge the joys. Hang out with us at Joy for Everyday Women on FB.
Women have been pushing boundaries and doing more than ever before. This is particularly true for moms who are working hard to give their families a better life than they had. It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed – it’s not easy to juggle the demands of work, family, and everything else! But here’s the thing: you don’t have to sacrifice your joy in order to be successful. Read on as we explore how you can live a joy-filled life despite being overwhelmed.
Make Time for Self-Care
It might seem counterintuitive, but self-care is essential if you want to manage your overwhelm and continue living a joy-filled life. We tend to think that self-care means pampering yourself with spa treatments or expensive vacations, but it doesn't have to be so complicated (or costly!). Instead, make it a point to do something every day that nourishes your soul and brings you joy even when things get tough. This could mean taking five minutes each morning for meditation or journaling or playing with your kids after dinner. The important thing is that you make time for yourself each day so that you can recharge and stay balanced.
Find Your People
No matter how busy your schedule gets, try to find at least one person in your life who “gets” what you’re going through; someone with whom you can share your struggles without feeling judged or ashamed. This could be an old friend who has been there since the beginning or someone new who has similar experiences and goals in life. Having this kind of support system will help boost your morale during times when you feel like giving up and remind you that you are never alone in finding joy amidst overwhelm.
Say No When Necessary
As working moms, we often feel obligated to say yes all the time—whether it's agreeing to take on extra work projects or joining another PTA meeting—just because we want our families and colleagues to think highly of us. But saying yes all the time comes at a cost—our own happiness! So remember this: You don't have to say yes all the time; it's perfectly okay (and necessary!)to set boundaries, prioritize what matters most, and decline certain requests if need be. Doing so will help reduce stress levels which will ultimately lead to greater long-term joy in life!
Living a joyful life despite being an overwhelmed working mom is possible—you just need the right perspective! Make sure that self-care is part of your daily routine and find people who understand what you're going through; also resist the urge to say yes all the time so that you can focus on what really matters most! With these small changes, we are confident that any working mom can find peace amidst chaos and live a more fulfilling life overall.
XOXO
Ila
Want to surround yourself with likeminded busy women seeking joy? Join our facebook community Joy for Everyday Women
Interested in practicing spiritual disciplines but don’t know where to start? Get my guide Cultivate Joy by practicing spiritual disciplines and How to Get Started HERE
Everyone loves to say they're grateful, but how much do we really understand what gratitude truly means? Believe it or not, there's more to being thankful than saying a simple "thanks"! Gratitude isn't just about the good stuff; it also involves accepting help and understanding why having those things is so important. Are you curious enough yet? Keep reading for the lowdown on true gratitude -- trust us when we tell ya that incorporating this into your life will be beneficial!
Read more...
