With one handshake, our fate was sealed.

We promised ourselves that, as an early New Year’s resolution, we would go (however long) without consuming more than one cookie-sized sweet per day.  We had not realized at the time exactly how difficult this would be, even though we basically live off of chocolate and sugar.

Amelia:

The first day after I made the resolution to refrain from sugar, I had a hard time tearing myself away from the plate of pumpkin pie left over from Thanksgiving (we started our “New Year’s Resolutions in early December).

But I was determined to keep to this resolution, and I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and distracted myself with Netflix, my Harry Potter collection and anything else I could find.

The second day was harder. I had begun to feel the effect of the lack of sugar, a testament to how much usually consume, and I was jittery the whole day.

On the third day, my little brother was pestering me, and in my peeved state, I almost resorted to stuffing my face with brownies, catching myself as I lifted the chocolatey goodness to my mouth. Scolding myself, I decided right then and there to put more effort into this Herculean task.

Despite my resolve, I slipped up the next day. With homemade cookies fresh out of the oven to tempt me, I couldn’t help but think of them and despite my efforts, I gorged myself on a batch.

I felt so guilty that I redoubled my efforts. During the aftermath of the cookie collapse, I mustered all my courage to try to hold up my resolution. With that determination in mind, as well as constant distractions that pulled me away from my guilty pleasure, I managed a whole week sticking to my resolution, bringing me to the first week of school after break.

Nearing the end of January, the need to eat sugar slowly dissipated. It took several weird, one-sided mental debates with myself, but finally I was able to turn down numerous offers to take home fruitcake leftovers from family friends and continue eating my carrot sticks and apple slices, happy that I no longer have to fight myself about it.

I feel like I actually accomplished something good for myself, although it changed the way I eat now.

Cassi:

I was sure I couldn’t do it. I have absolutely zero self-control when it comes to sugar and sweets, and sure enough, 10 minutes after I made the  resolution in class, I ate a cookie. Then I ate another. I would love to say that I simply forgot, but if I’m being honest with myself: It was just my lack of willpower. I wrestled with my conscience for approximately five minutes before I gave in. Who can’t resist a warm chocolate chip cookie?

When I signed up for this task, I was confident in my abilities to keep any resolution we came up with. However, when  Amelia announced the idea of cutting out sweets, I grew dubious. I tried to change our resolution, but it was in vain — she was stubborn, and I was forced to reluctantly accept the challenge.

Christmas came and went but my eating habits stayed the same. I was still gorging on cookies, Pinkberry frozen yogurt and other sweets. It wasn’t until New Year’s that I earnestly began my resolution. It was time for change. During the first three days of January, I kept to it, refusing to be defeated by even a single sweet.

On the fourth day, my mother came up with the brilliant idea of baking brownies. I woke up to the tantalizing aroma of Ghirardelli brownies and immediately found myself walking to the kitchen. I stared at the brownies with my resolution itching at the back of my mind. One bite, I thought to myself. I took a bite and furiously argued with myself, successfully resisting the urge to take another.

Throughout the rest of the week, I was firm in the continuation of my resolution and came out satisfied with my results. It went smoothly and I persevered, even though my friends tried to tempt me with Kit Kats and, of course, cookies.

Although I failed to live up to my resolution for the first couple of weeks, that I eventually was able to distract myself and stay away from sweets for an extended period of time is something I am proud of. My habits have become better because of this resolution, but sweets will always be a big part of my life. Chocolate chip cookies, here I come.