Monday, March 7, 2016

Eat the Chips, Don't Eat the Chips...

Recently, I've been frustrated when reading certain bloggers, because they keep writing like they're living in a perpetual Groundhog Day movie-like scenario, where they do the same things, over and over, and write posts complaining how they're not losing weight.  Well, yeah.  It's called a lifestyle change for a reason, and if you don't make some significant changes, you're not going to see anything different.

I've had this in the back of my mind for a while now.  Last week, I hadn't had much of an appetite for about five days - that sinus headache was making me feel really crummy.  Normally I can feel crummy and still eat, so this was unusual, but the forever dieter in me will take it, haha.  Anyway, thanks to Flonase, I finally started feeling better and I was HUNGRY on Thursday after I finished my volunteer shift at the hospital gift shop.

I stopped at the grocery store on my way home to pick up some Greek yogurt and a few other supplies, and I bought a turkey wrap from the deli for a late lunch.  Now, I also wanted some chips - like, I wanted them bad enough that I knew I needed to purchase just a single serving-sized bag, because I didn't trust myself to eat a reasonable portion from a larger bag.  I wandered around the store but only found some greasy Lay's and some Doritos in a single serving bag; my chip-of-choice is kettle-cooked BBQ, and these other flavors weren't going to fulfill my chip craving.  I wandered some more, putting containers of strawberries and broccoli in my cart, when I came across some sliced cantaloupe.  I normally don't buy already sliced up fruit, but it looked good, it was only 99 cents, and I decided to treat myself in lieu of the chips:
I ate a few slices before managing to stop and take a picture...because I'm sure no one knows what sliced cantaloupe looks like, LOL.

This did the trick - well this and the turkey wrap.  I had a healthy lunch that tasted great, filled me up and made me feel good about myself, which was another small step in my year of making better choices.

My chip dilemma got me thinking about what was frustrating me with those bloggers I mentioned earlier.  I think you have to decide if you're happier eating and/or drinking whatever you want versus denying yourself certain items in order to lose weight.  Because quite honestly, it's not worth the angst to make half-hearted attempts to lose weight and then beat yourself up when you "fail" (and I put that in quotes because really, eating a bag of chips does not make you a failure, not at all).  Either eat the dang chips and enjoy them, own them, and be good with your choice, or don't eat them.  Much as I wanted the chips, I knew that I could not trust myself with more than one little bag, and since I couldn't procure the perfect flavor in a small size, I didn't eat the chips. 

We all have our own version of food and/or drink Kryptonite.  Knowing your reaction to such items can make or break your calories for the day;  sometimes the best decision is avoidance while other times it's acceptance...and if it's acceptance, then enjoyment had better come along with that acceptance.  No guilt allowed at that point!

16 comments:

  1. I think the biggest problem is associating certain foods with guilt. If you really want something, have it and enjoy it. I always feel like the food was totally wasted if it leaves you feeling terrible and guilty. What's the point of eating it if you aren't going to enjoy it?

    Planning for treats helps with that, IMHO. Then it helps you stay on track the other times knowing that you have that coming. If you do end up off the wagon, yes, it's frustrating, but just move on. You can't change what you ate.

    The other point that goes along wit hwhat you said -- I see people following a plan (or trying to) and it is just so obviously hard for them to stick to and they go on and off and on and off the same plan. That's not a lifestyle change, it's a nightmare.

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    1. Exactly...and your last sentence is spot on. Who wants to live a nightmare, especially when it comes to food?

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  2. I'm glad you are feeling better. I use Flonaise too it really seems to help with allergies and congestion.
    If I decide to have something that I know is not the best thing for me to eat I try to do it with no guilt. Generally speaking I don't get cravings any more. I think you handled your craving for chips in the right way.

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    1. Thanks. I was surprised as how much better I felt after just one day on Flonase. Good stuff!

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  3. Part of what I've learned over the years is that you can't diet weight off then think, well that's it I'm done so now I eat whatever I want. People who like chips need to figure out how to include them in their diet when they are trying to lose weight. It's not realistic to give up foods you know darn well you'll want to eat at some point which is why broad statements like "I'm not eating bread, I'm not eating rice," etc. always make me wary. And it's also trying to cold turkey those foods that cause the exact thing you're speaking of - hot and cold attacks at dieting. Even in wanting to lose weight, there is no food I've 'forbidden'. Well, except liver, peas, and lima beans but that's because those things are disgusting.

    P.S. I can't believe you got all that delicious looking canteloupe for only 99 cents. Crazy!

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  4. Everything in moderation is what my motto is. You can still have chips if you like that. Feeling guilty after you have eaten something that wasn't "healthy" is for me always a reason to eat more because "all is lost already" after eating the first thing. That's why I don't feel guilty anymore and that makes it easier to make choices.

    Your choice finally was great by the way: choosing the cantaloupe over the chips.

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    1. And that's it - I am OK with having chips occasionally, but I know my limits...that cantaloupe was so good, I wish I'd bought more.

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  5. What a great perspective! We all have to make those choices permanently to make a change.

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    1. Yep. Permanent. It's just so, so...PERMANENT! ;)

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  6. I have done that exact same thing--looking around a whole store for one single serving bag of chips. What is up with that? Are they only available at the all night convenience stores? Anyway, I'm jealous of your cantaloupe. I hardly ever buy cantaloupe except during the summer because I'm afraid it won't be ripe.

    Yes, I agree with what you and the other commenters said. I have to say that I do deal with some guilt around eating certain things, and I am trying to correct that. For me, that seems to come along with being content at a higher maintenance weight. And that is something that a lot of dieters are not willing to accept. Which leads to the endless circuit of diet attempts and failures.

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    1. That cantaloupe was so good, and I wouldn't have dared to buy it (in early March) without seeing it cut open like that...the price was a nice bonus.

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  7. I know a few people like the bloggers you are describing. The people I know are making small changes (I mean tiny) and they think that's enough because it's a "change". But really it's not enough.
    I only get to eat potato chips when I am at my parents house...lol. But when I get those cravings at home I have a pickle! It's crunchy and kind of salty!

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  8. I resemble this blog. For me, it's proving difficult to make the habit...a habit.

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  9. Eeek! Can't wait to meet up with you today! And I loved this post - I am still trying to be 90% on track with the occasional indulgence, just don't know why I still have a tinge of guilt if I eat something I "shouldn't." Ya know?

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  10. So glad you are feeling better Shelley. And so glad for sharing your thoughts!!!! You truly are inspiring!!!!

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