I gave up “covert sugar” 21 days ago. Didn’t wait for the new year to get myself in gear, just jumped right in after Christmas. Since then, I’ve suffered the withdrawals and cravings that indicate it’s a true drug in food’s clothing. So to speak.

Next I tackled caffeine, and that’s taking a little more energy to eliminate from my daily routine. Coffee isn’t the problem, it’s diet colas. I’m a card-carrying member of the Pepsi Generation, and I do enjoy the taste and tingle as it flows into my body.

But when I imbibe in such beverages, I’m awake most of the night. I bet I could be the poster child for caffeine sensitivity. Even when I stop drinking it by 6 p.m., sleep eludes me until way after midnight. And so I decided to quit, and did so this morning.

I expect and accept the four days of headaches that have accompanied this process in the past. Again, if it’s that hard to give up, it certainly must be controlling my body in a way I don’t choose to let it.

So I’m on my way to being sugar-free, caffeine-free, and I hope fat-free by the end of 2012. I’ve also been getting a lot more movement into my day, with the help of swimming aerobics and recumbent bike.

Free at last! Free at last! One day at a time, I’m free at last!