Unsweetened Holidays (Not Even Any Guaraná)

I've gained 50lbs. since high school and here's how: First, I went to Brazil and drank guaraná (the most popular soft drink there; halfway between rasberry and creme soda; see my label collage above) everyday for almost two years. Add ten pounds. Next, I came home and worked at a pizza parlor for a few months before college. Add ten more pounds. For a year after that, I lived in the dorms and had three big cafeteria meals everyday. Definitely worth ten pounds. Plus I worked graveyards at a hotel where I got a free bottle of Coke and a candy bar from the convenience store for every four hour shift. Add at least ten pounds. Had I stayed there any longer, I would have developed type 2 diabetes. Instead, I got married. Add ten and that makes 50lbs. So it's all a little bit disconcerting and I fully admit it was easily avoidable, but weight loss is not the reason for this next thing I'm going to tell you.

I'm not eating any artificial sweets from Halloween to Christmas this year. I've done it before and I didn't lose any weight (which is fine because I don't exercise). Think of it as a trip to the great outdoors, only one that lasts a couple months. I'm just trying to "get away" - y'know, break up my routine. Anyone who's been to summer camp knows how much introspection and perspective is made possible by bland food and adverse sleeping conditions. I'm keeping a list (was there any doubt?) of each item I get a craving for so I can look it over when I'm done and decide what I actually missed and identify what kinds of things just get put in my way, which I can do without. My first test came last Friday (Halloween) when my boss was gracious enough to take me and another coworker to a Cuban restaurant and they had guaraná. Since soft drinks are the main thing I'm trying to avoid, I had to pass, but it was excruciatingly difficult. I mean, how often does someone else offer to pay for your expensive, imported, Brazilian beverage?

Standards
I am eating lots of fruit, but not fruit leather or fruit smoothies.
I am drinking juice, but not Kool-Aid or Hawaiian Punch.
I am eating yogurt, but not ice cream and that includes shakes.
I'll eat a can of fruit cocktail, but I couldn't justify some Thai mango sweet rice last week.
My boss keeps Brach's candy on his desk, which doesn't seem like a big thing, but it is.
It was hard walking by the San Diego Root Beer Co. on Saturday.
In Old Town there's a gift shop that smells like licorice, but I had to keep moving.
Sundays I usually make brownies, but that tradition's on hold.
I always have cookies with my Subway sandwiches, but not for now.
Tuesday night is $1 cone night at Baskin-Robbins here, but it will have to wait.
I can't even have syrup on my pancakes or eat Pop Tarts for breakfast.

Halloween
no candy, caramel apples, or Wendy's Frostie coupons

Thanksgiving
no candied yams, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pies

Christmas
no egg nog, gingerbread, or hot cocoa (at least, not until after Christmas)