A Year Without Treats

In 2020, I gave up drinking. In 2021, I gave up gambling. In 2022, I gave up treats/desserts/candy. Was this the most annoying thing to give up out of the three? Read on to find out.

 

Last year, I drove from Ottawa to Florida. During one of my stops, I bought some Sour Patch Kids. But these were not your ordinary Sour Patch Kids. They were a mystery version. Let me tell you, they were disgusting. Let’s start by saying that I love candy and some desserts. Sour candy, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Starbursts, Nanaimo bars, butter tarts, strawberry rhubarb pie; I’m a big fan. Things never got super out of control but if I went to a Dollarama or a gas station, it was more likely than not that I was buying something that would not be in my health’s long term best interest. So, I decided after eating those terrible mystery candies, that I would stop eating treats/desserts/candies for a year.

 

This year of treat free living has not been without controversy. The first mistake that I made was not listing what exactly was considered a treat. My second mistake was adding things that are not treats but I thought I could live without. The final list was essentially candy, desserts, chips, donuts, pop, juice, lemonade, popcorn, cake, pie, cupcakes and anything else you would give a child as a treat.

Did I eat two protein bars that I bought in 2021 that had chocolate in them? Yes. Would you give a protein bar to a child as a dessert? No. Do those protein bars taste like a treat? Yes. Was this cheating? No.

Did I start to eat spicy pepperoni sticks from the gas stations I frequent? Yes. Would you give that to a child as a treat? No. Was this cheating? No. Did it feel like cheating? Yes.

Have I consumed too many Red Bulls. Yes. Would it have been smarter to cut out Red Bull and keep drinking orange juice? Probably.

Did I once have a FRUIT crips that my mom made that did not have any added sugar? Yes. Should a fruit crip be considered a traditional dessert? I can’t say. Was this cheating? In my mom and her husband’s eyes, this was ok. Would you consider this cheating? To be honest, I don’t care. I just went 365 days without treats and if I ate fruit for dessert once, I’m going to let it slide.

Did I eat 20ish Cliff Bars because I thought they were somewhat healthy and I need to eat while working on the weekend with my successful bubble empire? Yes. Are Cliff Bars healthy? No. Was that cheating? No because you wouldn’t give it to a kid as a treat. Was I surprised to learn that people may eat cliff bars as birthday cake? Yes. Did I stop eating them once I realized how unhealthy they are. Yes. Do I want you to be impressed with this challenge? A little. Do I recommend anyone else attempt this? No. Do I feel healthier or feel like my life is better in any way? No.

 

Have I brought in donuts, cookies and other treats for people at work to like me more? Yes. Has it worked? No.

Did I drink one of these?

 

 

Yes. Was it cheating? Technically, no. Did it feel like cheating? Yes.

Should you eat anything that is sold at a gas station? No. Will I continue giving something up every year even though it angers me and does not improve my life? I would guess yes.

My plan is to give up Red Bull, swearing and complaining in 2023. Will there be controversy in what swear word is and what is classified as a complaint? Surely.

 

Thanks for reading.