I'm still not doing all that great with the whole losing weight thing. For one, I like food. For another, my body is seriously enjoying some fat storage. Apparently it thinks a famine is coming. For a third thing, there is temptation all around me. Friends/family who want to do fast food lunches. And Sonic calls my name every Saturday morning.
I sort of fell off the whole "once a month Saturday breakfast stops" wagon. Last Saturday I stopped at Sonic AND the donut shop. The donuts were mostly for my niece and nephew but I did eat a couple. This past Saturday I stopped at Hardee's for a chicken 'n biscuit. I was so discouraged by any change in my body from having given it up that I jumped off that wagon and ran hell bent for leather to those Saturday morning breakfasts. So I don't know if I'll ever jump back on it. I probably should. But "shoulds" rarely ever happen in real life.
Last week alone, I ate out four times--twice for morning break (Starbucks and Einsteins) and twice for lunch (McAllister's Deli and Burger King). No, wait. Does a trip to the local fro-yo place count? If it does, that's five times. Because Cherry Amaretto, that's why.
And I wonder why I can't make any of the pounds budge...
So this weekend I sat down and planned out the week's meals--mostly lunches, since that's when I'm weakest. It's way easier to toss a protein bar aside when invited to lunch with friends than it is to toss aside something I had to actually prepare ahead of time and bring. I also know that whatever I bring has to be something I know I'll enjoy or I'll still toss it aside at the first opportunity.
So. I picked up a loaf of rye bread, a box of black forrest ham deli slices, a head of romaine lettuce and a 6-pack of snack sized Cheetos (I know, I know). Rye bread because I get sick of the 100 calorie bread rounds that are supposedly better for you. I justified the rye as slightly better, though, because I can get a nice size sandwich while using only one 80 calorie slice as opposed to the 100 calorie bread thins. (making a "half" a sandwhich by splitting the bread in half.) And since I enjoy rye, I know I'll enjoy the sammy and WANT to eat it. And Cheetos. Yes, please. I subbed grainy mustard instead of mayo, skipped adding any cheese and drank water. The whole thing comes in at 310 calories. Sure, that's 110 calories more than the protein bar BUT, at least I'm satisfied and less likely to snack a lot later AND it helps me resist temptation.
My case in point? Today, just before noon two of my friends sought me out to go over to the food court for lunch. One hadn't brought anything to eat and the other is a lot like me and will use any excuse to eat out. But I told them to go and enjoy. I had a sandwich and chips and didn't really feel any pressing need to fight the food court crowd. Score 1 for me. Of course, the week is still young and I have a $5 coupon to McAlister's that expires next Monday. So I know I'll likely end up back there at some point. But. For today? I won.
Something else I'm experimenting with this week is limiting liquid calories. I have a major coffee habit and not the straight up black kind, either. I like 3tsps of sugar and 3tsps of half and half, thankyouverymuch. That's a 65-80 calorie per cup habit and I sometimes drink 2 cups a day. Even drinking hot green tea, as I sometimes do in the mornings, I've still got 30-45 calories going in. I also have a (almost) daily 90 calorie 7.5 ounce Coke habit.
My goal is to eliminate my morning coffee/tea habit altogether and drink water instead. I also plan to cut my evening coffee to 2 or 3 evenings a week. I enjoy it, yes. But sometimes I drink it just because I love the process of making it. I need to find new and healthier things to occupy my hands and save the evening coffee for nights when I just HAVE to have it.
I will have my Cokes in the fridge at work for days when I just REALLY need one, but try not to reach for one during every afternoon break.
I need to drink more water. And I like water, so it's not as though I'm punishing myself. I just enjoy all those beverages with liquid calories, too.
So: Try to eat out less. Reduce liquid calories. Those are my two focuses this week.
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