December 31st 2014 marked the final day of the girls sugar challenge. I'm not sure who learned more from the experience - them, or me :) They are amazing. I am so so very proud of them. Last year when Kylie proposed the idea - well, I wasn't sure they would make it the whole year :) But we set up reasonable terms (three month increments) with a long list of approved sugar including things like go-gurts, granola bars etc... Mainly they were to abstain from desserts and candy - except for on one of their five free days, (they got to choose when to apply those days) except we did give them a freebie here and there during the first two quarters.
At first I was excited that the girls were not going to be eating so much sugar. Because even though I rarely buy it, it always seems to end up in the house, from friends, parties, grandparents... and if it was in the house, they would eat it. But I quickly realized this challenge was about so much more than just sugar.
The first issue we ran into was willpower. After the first few days I was sure the girls weren't going to make it past the first two weeks. John ended up having a talk with them about goals and accomplishments. They were ready to quit - seeing other people eating junk and having to resist seemed impossible to them. He reminded them that this challenge was their idea and that he wasn't going to let them quit unless they gave it a fair chance. He made them continue for just a couple of weeks until they could get used to it and then allowed them to choose if they wanted to continue.
His plan worked beautifully. It wasn't long before the temptation subsided and they realized that they could actually do this - and they did it so well!
The next issue they had to get through was pretty intense at first, but continued in some form or another throughout the entire year. Opposition. There always has to be opposition, right? Mostly it was from various people who didn't support their decision. They didn't agree with it and didn't understand it. So the girls got to hear a lot of how ridiculous it was and how unfair it seemed. I was unprepared to help them with this part of the challenge, because it was so unexpected. But we had many great talks and learning opportunities about peer pressure, and opposition, and standing up for something you want to accomplish despite how those around you feel about it. These lessons have been so, so good! I can see them applying these concepts to other areas of their lives - especially with friends - and it has been worth it!
Their choices have also affected those around them. John and I have also been chided, praised, and encouraged by the challenge they accepted. I have learned from their example and have vowed to follow it and apply it in other ways to areas of my life that I want to change. Because if they were strong enough to accomplish such a feat at a tender young age - they why can't I do it as well?
Another lesson came from the support they were given. Of course John and I agreed to support their decision both financially and emotionally :) But I was also surprised at the support that came from their friends, their friend's parents, ward members, neighbors and random people :) This was such a blessing! There were several families who decided to try the same thing in their homes. I'm not sure how their situation turned out, but I hope they learn as much as we did. Sometimes it was really hard for the girls to refuse a treat at a birthday party or at a school function, but I am so very grateful for those who encouraged and complimented the girls on their determination.
One of the greatest lessons we learned is how much power these girls have. Power to choose. They are in control of their lives, their situations, the voices they choose to listen to - they made a decision in advance about what they were going to do when temptation came, and they were able to overcome temptation because they had a plan. These gospel principles are invaluable and I am so very grateful for them! I hope they are ingrained deep into their hearts as they mature and face their teenage years of insecurities, temptations, and peer pressure. They have the power to accomplish very hard things - and now they know that. I hope they never forget the strength they gained from this.
So as for will power - it was a weakness for both of them, but not anymore :) They are enjoying their first few days of "sugar freedom", but I have already see them realize when they have hit their limit and exercise their will to deny themselves of something so so tempting. And if it ever gets out of hand and they relapse - its okay - because they have already proven to themselves that they have the power to change their situation.
The biggest payoff for John and I has been listening to them express their feelings about the challenge. I will have to try to get them to write a paragraph or two so I can post it in here. But their testimonies are strong and sweet and much appreciated :)
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