Well, I'm down 12 pounds since the start of this journey. I am finally fitting more comfortably in my clothes and don't feel like I'm caving into my cravings or emotions. I'm also excited that this process has helped me become more aware of my food choices and portion sizes. It's like a magic curtain has been pulled back to reveal the true value of everything that I consume. In fact, I'm still coming to terms that after all these years I've let myself be suckered into believing all the lies the labels tell about it's nutritional value. For example, I can't just say "oh, it's just a small caramel latte. It's only a couple hundred calories." That small item is 5 points! That's about 1/5 of my points for the day. I can't just dismiss those calories. I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore. After what I've seen so far, I don't plan on getting off this yellow brick road and will be looking out for foods that are not what they seem.
Along the way, I have also discovered that sugar is more wicked that carbs, alcohol and dairy. Mind you, if you eat too many servings of any of those three: carbs, alcohol or dairy you have to add an extra point to what one serving would be! EEk! That surely slows me down when opening any bag or bottle. Individual points add up pretty quick, so I have learned to weigh and measure things out.
This month has especially been hard when it comes to staying within my points. The struggle is real people. For starters, it was Valentine's Day and my hubby treated me to a fancy dinner. I did good and picked a healthy meal and only ate half of it. I also only had ONE drink. I made sure to have my app on me and tracked before I ordered.
However, after Valentine's Day came a four day trip for Wrestling State where I was crammed in the Tacoma Dome for EIGHT hours a day. This was the ultimate test because you could not bring food in. Plus, the weather was horrible and walking somewhere was really not an option. Fortunately, I was able to smuggle shakes and hard boiled eggs from the hotel into my son's bag and did well for the first day. I'm sad to report that by the end of the weekend I wasn't really tracking much. I made sure to eat only half of whatever I ordered, but when your tired making good choices is hard to do. I need a better plan next year and probably an accountability partner.
But wait there's more... this Saturday is my birthday. Knowing that I barely made it through the Tacoma Dome I am opting for a low- maintenance birthday itinerary and I'm making sure I stay within my points. I want to have my cake and eat it too, so I just have to be mindful and strategic. I will also have to be decisive. Will I have beer or Tiramisu? (Tiramisu by the way is 13 points!) I know that I can do this if I can just get through this weekend.
Although, counting points when I've had a crazy busy schedule feels stressful I know it's still better than what I was doing before. I feel way more in control and know when I'm making a bad choice. Knowledge is power and I feel that even with these minor struggles I am confidently learning how to navigate through these storms. I no longer feel helpless or haunted by wicked cravings. (And when I do I just douse them with water!)
I am definitely looking forward to a less eventful month in March, but have learned that I can make it through these times without giving up, or giving in.
