The Best Bakeries In…But in Moderation
In everything, moderation is key. However, I have gotten off track with my consumption of sweet treats. While I told myself I would limit baked goods to once per week, I found that I was routinely consuming much more. As such, I gained weight and have struggled to shed the extra pounds.
Indulging in cakes and cupcakes is great when one has a bakery blog. But over-indulgence is costly from a health perspective as well as a wardrobe standpoint. I want to feel good when I look in the mirror or step on a scale. I also want better sleep; the kind that comes naturally after consistent workouts. That’s why I’ve decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle. I am not only dialing back the number of desserts I consume; I am committing to being more active and fit.
Sugar and More Sugar
Here’s the thing; sugar is highly addictive. The more sweets I ate, the more I wanted. I was not only enjoying cookies and cupcakes, I was downing sugary drinks, chocolate treats and much more. If you do this for long enough, you lose count of not only the calories you’re consuming but the amount of sugar you’re absorbing. Although I once avoided breads, I slid into a cycle of indulging in wheat bread from Northstar Cafe. I specifically ordered Northstar’s Beechwold salad because it came with a side of wheat bread. I said I’d only take one bite and before I knew it, the bread was gone. Poof!
Creature of Habit
Like a lot of people, I’m a creature of habit. Once I establish a habit, it is hard to break it. I got into a terrible habit of indulging in sweets while at the same time moving less. Now, I am striving for greater balance and greater self-control. I’m also exchanging one habit – over-indulgence in sweets – for another; running and cycling. In sum, I’m taking my health more seriously. My goal is not only to lose 25-30 pounds, but to get back into running.
In Motion
A decade ago, I’d run 4 times per week for a minimum of 4 miles each time. When I participated in a half marathon (I’ve run 7) or exceeded my personal record for a 5K, I treated myself to something sweet. I’d like to think my desire for sugar cookies and cupcakes was far more manageable then. I was committed to not consuming anything that would weigh me down or leave me feeling sluggish. Relatedly, weight was never an issue; I easily racked up a caloric deficit.
Something Changed
In 2013, I ran the Marine Corp Marathon in D.C. prematurely. I’d run 3 half marathons in the months preceding the Marathon and should have taken the rest of the year to recover. My body was not ready for the punishment that a marathon, not to mention, marathon training entails.
I injured my feet and took an extended break from running. By the time I was ready to get back into running, I developed a fear of the sport. As such, I was sidelined for years. Every time I attempted to get back into running, my mind would tell me I couldn’t do it. Rather than silencing the inner critic, I let doubt prevail.
Finally Ready
It’s been more than a decade and I am finally ready to get back to the sport I love. That means I’ll be visiting fewer local bakeries and limiting my sugar intake. I’ll still blog about bakeries when I travel, but rather than trying multiple items on the menu, I’ll try one thing – and likely only a portion of it.
In addition to jogging, I’ve gotten into cycling. My friends and I participated in a 20-mile bike ride in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2024. We also participated in a 40-mile bike tour through the five boroughs of New York City on May 4, 2025. As I log long miles on the bike, I’ll definitely celebrate with a sweet treat – one sweet treat to be specific.
Wish me luck.
Jennifer R. Farmer is a public relations executive by day and a bakery lover by evening and weekend. Learn more and enjoy her blog.
