I am the mother of four children. I have struggled with my weight all of my life except for very early childhood.  I am a truly healthy person, or so I thought.  I eat tons of fresh veggies. I am careful to use heart-healthy oils.  I avoid hydrogenated oils.  I eat only whole grain breads. I bake with farm fresh eggs, organic whole wheat flour and genuinely know a thing or two about nutrition.

I am also religious about exercise.  I rise at 5:30 every morning seven days a week (a little later on weekends). I walk 3-4 miles at a very brisk pace. I am running after my children who range in age from two to thirteen constantly. So, you see, I was frustrated with my very slow weight loss.

I needed something to satisfy my sweet tooth sans calories.  I thought--Wow. Splenda sounds good, made from sugar, yada yada yada...

Well, since last summer (2004), I have been using Splenda on my shredded wheat, on my oatmeal, in my coffee, in my tea, etc. In late fall, I started to feel very hopeless and angry and trapped. And, I hate to admit this, I had a few suicidal thoughts. Very unlike me. I have been sort of (for lack of a better description) earth mother type. Very into my life with young children, in love with my husband, and genuinely pleased with the choices I have made. So, why this slump?

Well, my very good friend and fellow granola-cruncher called to check in on me in early February. She knew something was amiss and asked what I was eating or not eating, thinking it was some type of deficiency. We talked for a while and when I said something that clicked with her she immediately said, "It is the Splenda. I just know it. Look it up on the internet and call me tomorrow."

Needless to say, after a little education, I was convinced to go off all artificial sweeteners and see.  It has now been about two and a half months and the cloud is beginning to lift... slowly. The best news of all is I have lost about seven pounds even though I am using honey or good old-fashioned sugar. Who would have thought those sunny little packets of "sweetness" couls pack such a bitter and, perhaps, deadly little secret?!"

Thank you J.S. for sharing your story with our visitors.

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