Sugar Free September Challenge

The Namo Team would like to challenge everyone to go sugar free for the month of September!

You might have seen some activity on our social media pages about us going sugar-free for the month of September and I don't know how many of you have joined us but I thought i'd give an update of how it's been going so far. It's hard!

We have to be honest - even for us that are health conscious and generally eat very healthy and clean - this challenge has been really difficult. There's sugar in everything and let me tell you, once you eat a little bit your body just craves more and more and more. It's like that one little bite wakes the dragon and then there's like a cookie monster inside you just asking for more.

Some of us have even taken it a few steps further trying to lower our carb intake, lessen processed foods, exercise more and watch our calories. We've been doing good - it's much easier when you have a supportive team. However, there's always temptations luring around every corner.

I remember in that first week we started we had so many social gathering invites and not even to speak about the Covid dangers - we just thought of all the junk food, snacks, alcohol and sugary drinks that comes with a social event. You have to listen to your own body and know what your limitations are. Some of us went cold turkey while others gradually lowered their sugar intake. There's no right or wrong way of doing it. I always just say that if you can become 1% better very day then it means you are 100% better than you were 100 days later. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit and I must say it's true. Tomorrow is the 21st day of the challenge and I can already feel how much easier my healthy habits are - they come naturally now. I have just decided to give myself one relaxed day per week so normally on a Saturday we tend to overindulge a bit more - now I allow myself to indulge but I still try and keep it healthy. So I might for example eat double the amount of calories than normal but then on Sunday I'm back to normal again.

I guess this is why they call it a challenge because it is super challenging for mind and body. The only advise I can give is to keep your focus. Henk once said during a Tai Chi Class; "Your focus will determine your success." As long as your mind is focused on healthier habits - your success will follow.