So, I’m up 2 pounds this week. And I’m not thrilled. But I do know what happened and I learned some lessons to take with me on this journey.
It started last Sunday – Superbowl Sunday. I went into it a little cocky. I was down a pound and a half, and feeling like I had the magic formula. I knew before we got to the party that there was going to be a lot of junk food and I thought about bringing a salad with lean chicken for myself so I wouldn’t be so tempted, but talked myself out of it. Instead I had cocktail smokies with bacon, cocktail smokies in crescent rolls and mini corn dogs, nachos, crackers, some deep fried cheese, and a deep fried olive. Had soup for dinner and took a nice long walk, but still. Next year I bring a salad. Or a veggie tray.
The next day was our 24th wedding anniversary. I fully intended to have Jamba Juice for dinner – we both love it – and we had eaten so crappy the day before. But I shortchanged my calories on breakfast and lunch and by dinner I was so hungry I ate a french dip with a big side of french fries, plus a glass of wine and 2 glasses of champagne. Ay yai yai – maybe it’s water weight?
I’ve been in a lot of pain all week, so no workouts. Woke up Wednesday morning in a good mood and ready to take it all on, then for some reason my mood absolutely tanked. I guess it’s like carrying a load around that’s too much for you, but you’re managing it and then someone throws a penny on top. It’s just a penny, right? No big deal. Except that one penny makes the entire load impossible to bear. The straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. I have spent more time crying in the past two days than in the entire 3 years before. Even so, Wednesday I managed to eat pretty healthy and not too much. Tried to get in a long walk, but Art and I got in an argument so we cut the walk short (not fun to walk with someone you’re mad at.)
Yesterday I shortchanged myself on calories again, probably because when I’m that sad I either don’t want to eat at all or want to eat everything. For dinner, two bowls of macaroni and cheese with leftover cocktail smokies, followed by some Cheez-its (don’t go shopping sad) and some fresh cookie dough. Maybe we should all be surprised that I’m only up two pounds.
So, comfort food aside, today is a NEW DAY, a better day, and the nice thing about a lifestyle change is that I don’t have to start my diet over, because I’m not on a diet. I just need to pick up where I left off in my weight loss journey and keep moving along that road. And it will probably take a little longer to get there now, but that’s okay, because like I said, I learned some lessons. I have new tools for my arsenal.
What are your tricks for managing parties and junk food?
I make sure that I take weight watching friendly food with me, that way I know that there is always something I can eat. People might laught when I show up with more than 1 item to share, but I too want more than 1 thing on my plate, and if left to eat what others bring, the outcome would not be pretty. lol
What I’ve done for parties in the past is that if I know there will be food that doesn’t help encourage my weight loss I will eat something from home which I can control the calories/portions etc and then will gravitate towards the fruits and veggies at the party. I also stay clear of the alcohol and drink water since alcohol is high in calories and adds to water weight. Next year I say we have a “healthy” Super Bowl party and take all of our favorite party foods and give them a healthy spin. 😉
That’s the way to handle it, Teressa!- Learning what you can from it. Chalk it up to experience, and move on. And guess what? The occasional messy eating is NORMAL for not only people losing weight, but also people maintaining it. The shame is not in falling down- The shame is in not getting back up….. As for resisting food- my best defenses are to: 1) Eat a salad made of just greens and fat-free dressing before going and 2) Drink lots of water all day!
Thinking of you and hoping that each day [hour] is better than the last for you!! Lots of love and good vibs coming your way.. Aunt D