Samantha Taylor
Pure Health & Fitness Studios
One of the things I have learned in the 24 years I have been working on my own health and fitness was that I had to truly learn how to value my health and make it a priority. I was always someone who struggled with eating healthy, would only do it because I knew I was supposed to, but I could never keep consistent. I also found any excuse to not stick to it and whichever way the circumstances took me, I would eat whatever was around. I couldn’t say no to unhealthy food until I turned 40.
I wanted to use the motivation of turning that age to get myself to stop eating sugar for 3 months, just to see if I could do it. The first few weeks were tough, but soon I no longer had cravings and I was empowered by being able to walk right by it and not even want it. That was new for me. Then when my birthday arrived, I knew I had a choice to either go back to that prison I felt like I lived in with sugar cravings or keep going and choose to not eat it as a way of life. I chose to keep going, and I am happy to say it’s now been 2 years and 3 months since I have had sugar and I feel incredible!! I am so happy to no longer be in that trap, and I have to tell you, it’s much easier than you would think.
One thing I realized was that I was an emotional eater and I would be triggered by all kinds of reasons to eat sugar. I had a true test just happen though, and that is because one of my beloved dogs just suddenly died this weekend. He was about 10, but the hard part was he was showing no signs of sickness.
My husband took him to the vet and then the next day, he died!
It was so fast and still so shocking, for he was here daily, then gone, just like that. It’s bizarre how attached to pets you can get, for those of us that were never able to have children, they seem to be even more so our “furry kids.”
I am so grateful that he waited for me because I was out of town and I got to spend a few hours with him when I returned. We sat out on the cold grass and huddled together in the middle of the night, for he seemed to prefer the cool air. I petted him and reminisced on some fun memories we had had together, for I knew it was the end and I got to say my goodbyes. That still seems odd to say when someone you care about has been a part of your life for almost 10 years.
I thought back to when my other dog, Ezekiel, passed away about 4 years ago and how I drowned myself in sugar, only making the come down off sugar swirl me into feeling more sadness. I knew this situation was different because I was different. I allowed myself to grieve, losing him as tears streamed down my face, but it wasn’t amplified by a crash off sugar, and the ups and downs weren’t near as intense.
I encourage you to love those daily you have in your family because you never know when they won’t be there anymore. And take care of your body so your loved ones don’t have to suffer losing you earlier then maybe they could have. If you need help making your health a priority, call me. I would love to chat with you! Call 813-377-3739 or visit www.SamanthaTaylorFitness.com.
In memory of Edge Taylor – Thank God that He gave us dogs to enjoy on this earth, it’s an amazing experience to know such unconditional love from one of His creations!
Free Seminar!
“Enjoy the Holidays With No Weight Gain!” by Samantha Taylor on November 16th. Register at PureHealthStudios.com. Get AMAZING Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes like Chocolate Pecan Pie!