Step Seven: Create a New Life

Becoming a Pro

As you become more and more skilled in doing your food plan, you will become more adept at dealing with special situations that come up. In the beginning it will be easier for you to master the plan if you are attentive about details.

Remember the power of "priming"

One cookie or one taste of chocolate pudding won't throw you totally off your plan. But it will prime your brain to want more. Having something sweet "just this once" will activate an endorphin response and set off craving for more sweets. If you are not paying attention, this craving will catch you off guard and you will soon be sliding into relapse.

Stay focused on what is important to you. Do the food, do the food and begin to work on creating a new life from this place. You have been a sugar addict for a long time and it will take a while to learn to live differently. At first, you may be stunned to see the reality of how much sugar life swirls around you.

Early Step 7 can be boring

You no longer have the rush of sugar feelings. It takes a while to settle into this new way of living. Over time you learn to create those things that raise “soft” beta endorphin – the kind that flows rather than spikes. Work on building these things into regular life everyday.

You are building a molecular memory of radiance. Each choice you make supports that. You work on humor and enjoyment. You connect to things and experiences that support your program. You grow.

Many people find many things to support Step 7. There is no set formula for Step 7. This is about creating a life that fills you, whatever that means for you. It doesn’t come all at once or in a profound moment, it is the accumulation of little things. Music,  your dog,  your child, your bike, your time alone. Each of these build a new way of being. You used to use sugar, now you experience life.

At first you  may have expected that you would *arrive* when you reached Step 7 and you are disappointed to learn that really Step 7 is a beginning, not a destination. And you may have some cleaning up to do. Or the folks around you may be really resistant to this new way of life. But you will discover that you are relaxed and clear and with each day, you like how you feel more and more.

You never want to go back to those old days of darkness, depression, moodiness, angst, fear or thrashing. You simply do the food, do the steps and build a radiant life. Every thing changes and you are one happy puppy. Welcome to Step 7.

Find more information in the Doing the Steps section of our Resource Center.