*Gasp*. No bread for a week?! Am I setting myself up to die?!?
No. I know how it looks but, I’m not.
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This particular semester has been all over the place. While many good and healthy friendships and opportunities have taken place, eating right and exercising consistently have been put on the back burner. As summer is approaching and I’m becoming more aware of my body and how it feels, all I can say is, “yuck." Self-control had left the building in this department of my life. I didn’t care what I shoved in my mouth, as long as it was convenient.
I had come to the conclusion that I needed something to keep myself accountable in the area of “fit and healthy." Enough was enough. I decided to take a week break from my relationship with bread. Yes, sadly, this included pasta as well. I had no idea what to expect at the end of this hiatus. Will I feel better? What changes will I notice in myself? Will I hate my life for a week? Who knows. Nothing wrong with a little challenge, though. Luckily for all you viewers, you have the privilege of reading my day-by-day updates of how I did without bread. Here goes nothing.
Day 1: I am on fire. No bread? No problem. Feeling empowered is an understatement. I’ve probably thought to myself not once, but at least 16 times that I am the woman. I had healthy meals and snacks throughout the entire day. All is well.
Day 2: Update: I am still on fire. *Cue “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys* 48 hours without a sandwich, or pasta. Perhaps, even a burger. However, my moment of weakness did come. It went a little like this:
Best friend: Hey yo, come grab a slice of pizza in the quad before you head home.
Me: Yes. Pizza. Deal.
Best friend: Okay! Bye. *Is halfway through walking out the door*.
Me: Oh wait, I can’t have—
There it is, folks. I had nearly forgotten my promise to myself. I did come out triumphant because I did not seek out the beloved pizza. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Day 3: Just call me Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire. I am still going strong! Being at home for the weekend is certainly helping my challenge go smoothly. More than anything, I feel clean. Does that make sense? Mentally, I feel so good because I know I haven’t put crap food in my body for three full days.
Day 4: I am craving every food under the sun that I can’t have. Donuts and pizza have been on the forefront of my mind. Especially waffles. While I was wallowing in my self-pity, a very good friend of mine texted to ask how I was doing with no bread. That really helped set my mind back on track. I am a strong, independent woman who don’t need no bread.
Day 5: My favorite food of the day included a burger wrapped in lettuce with avocado. And boy, do I love me some avocado. ~Healthy fats~. I think this may just be a figment of my imagination but I swear I’ve noticed small differences in myself. My energy is through the roof, which is something I’m sure everyone loves dealing with.
Day 6: My prayer today went a little something like this, "God, please do not let me fall into temptation because of the sweet, sweet bread surrounding me. Amen." While I feel great on the inside, I’ve been so tempted to make small compromises. I think, “A bite of this sandwich won’t ruin my life.” What a joke. I made a promise to myself. I can endure.
Day 7: I told someone today that I only had four hours left of my challenge like I was going to run off into the wilderness and stuff my face with loaves of bread. I caught myself, though. That wasn’t the purpose of experiment. I was reminded of how I set my mind to something, and by the grace of God, I did it. No bread, or pasta, for a whole week.
So, breaking up with bread (and my treasured pasta) wasn’t all that heartbreaking. If anything, I’ve learned so much more about self-control. I was taught that I did have control of what I put into my mouth after feeling like a dud all semester. I feel a lot of clarity, mentally and feel more energized, physically. I probably won’t even eat bread all that much anymore.
In this culture, it’s so easy to get wrapped into the craze of food and being entitled to it.
I don’t want to do that.
I want to take care of this body the Lord has given me. It’s a gift. I want Him to teach me self-control and to learn what it’s like to persevere, in all aspects of life. I’m so glad I can walk away from my challenge knowing He gave me the strength to do it when I had a million outside forces persuading me to quit.
I encourage you to challenge yourself in an area of your life where you may think you need help. I promise, it’s completely worth it. Shoot for the stars, yo. What do you have to lose?
