January goal

I can hardly believe that January is nearly over.  Usually, January sort of drags for me.  It is a long month with lots of rain and darkness.  But we made it.  I have spent the last week thinking about my goal of limiting sugar and if I was successful or not. 
Last weekend was definitely not successful and I had a tummyache to prove it.  But, it was a PMS week and I just didn't care what I ate.  Although, I should say I still ate less junk than I normally would have.
Overall, I ended up with about 5 sweets a week.  I was shooting for 4 but it seemed on Sundays I would give in with just one more.  But you know what, that is okay with me.  Because I did have lots of successful moments.
Like having an open box of See's chocolates sitting next to me at work all week and not having any.  None.  Zip. Zilch.  I opened the box.  I even smelled them.  Boy did they look good!  I don't get stuff like that b/c of my son's allergy so it would have been a real treat.  But I refrained and it was hard!
And last night my husband sat next to me while we were watching a movie and opened a bag of Red Vines.  The smell called my name.  I love Red Vines, especially with movie watching.  But I didn't eat any.  And it was hard too!
Or when we went to my father in law's and where I usually indulge in lots of great things, hot chocolate topped with ice cream, M&M's, mints, and lots of pop.  But I held back and I think ended up only having 1 dessert and 1 pop.  Pretty good I would say.
It helps that I relost the 5 pounds I had gained over Christmas.  I didn't do anything extra but eat less sweets.  I honestly haven't weighed this much since way before my son was born and he is almost 8.  Seeing the scale drop definitely helped me keep on task. 
But the weight wasn't really what this was about.  I wanted to really see what hold food had on me.  I wanted to start the new year off on a semihealthy note.  I wanted a break from sugar. 
What I learned is how often I reach for sweets.  I didn't realize how much sugar I ate.  I knew I ate some but I have never been the binge kind of person.  I don't eat a whole package of cookies or tub of ice cream in one sitting.  So I never really thought it was an issue for me.  I just reach for them when I am munchy, or stressed, or in between meals, or stressed, or to tide me over when making dinner, or when I am stressed.  See the pattern?  This past month, whenever I felt emotional or stressed, all I wanted was sugar.  Especially at the beginning.  I will say this decreased some as the month went on and reaching for sugar was more out of habit. 
I am going to contine this into February.  I am not sure how long I will do it.  I am going on a month by month basis here and it happens to fit into my February goal.  I really want to change my habits and I think it will take longer than just one month to do it.  February might be hard.  It is Valentine's month.  We already have candy out at work, the kids will be getting lots of candy at school and their sitters, plus it is my youngests' birthday.  So wish me luck or better yet, keep praying.
I will share my February goal next time.