Yesterday I felt very guilty, and a bit disappointed in myself. I still feel the same way today, but to a lesser extent.
During the week I normally eat lunch at my desk. I have been very good about eating according to my diet. Over the last 4 months I went out to lunch on September 28th (Olive Garden, for my birthday lunch), and then on December 3rd (Olive Garden again, taking a prospective employee out to lunch as part of the interview process). And that's it. Anyway, yesterday I went out to lunch again. I wasn't really that bad, but I had my sub on white bread. This will sound strange but I was "afraid" of the wheat bread that I normally eat. I recall the last time I was at the sub place when I got my sub I was unpleasently surprised by tthe fact they had changed their bread. At it was some sort of multi-grain with all kinds of seeds and nuts. So I got the white, but figured that was ok since I have had next to know white bread since the beginning of November. I "cheated", but only felt a slight twinge of guilt for going out and not eating my usual lunch that I make myself.
Then last night I was really bad. We planned to go to Friday's for dinner. We usually go out with some friends on Friday or Saturday night, and I've been able to find something at a few particular restaurants that actually sort of fit with my diet. At Fridays that particular meal is the Key West Shrimp. I think it is pretty much the only low carb thing on the menu. When we got there though, they had a special deal going. 3 courses for $12.99. And my shrimp dish was listed as one of the entrees available under the deal. At the bottom of the special menu insert there was a beautiful picture of a chocolate peanut butter pie with a mini reeses on top. Ugh. Then I looked at the list of available appetizers and knew I was screwed. Mozzarella sticks. I absolutely love mozzarella sticks. Now there was some major inner turmoil going on. Do I just get that entree dish with a nice salad with low-fat balsamic dressing and be unhappy about what I am missing out on, or do I go ahead and get what I want but then feel terribly guilty about it? Well, as you can tell from the title of the post I went ahead and ordered exactly what I wanted, and then felt terribly guilty about it.
I know it isn't really a bit deal, but I have to keep telling mysefl that in order to really convince myself. I know I need to allow myself to occassionally have something bad if I enjoy it, I just can't have it too often. I know I will get right back on track today.
it looks awesome, doesn't it?
I know how you feel, but try not to beat yourself up too much. A setback here and there is ok, you are enjoying life. You'll get back on track again. Besides, what are weekends for?
Don't even consider it a setback. Consider it part of maintenance. You have to have something normally off-limits or you'll feel so deprived, it might make you binge. I'm the expert in binging. Except I'm not doing as well as you in the weight loss or dedication department. It depresses me.
Thanks, Debbie and Kathy. I can tell myself all those things 'til I am blue in the face but it's not the same as hearing it from other people.
I have gotten right back on track with what I am eating as well as exercise so I am feeling much better. :)
Kathy, keep it up. You will get there. I plan to write more later on my dieting experience but I highly recommend the south beach diet. It's what I've been doing since early November. I tried the entire year before that (and the year before that) to lose weight and NOTHING else worked, but when I tried this I lost 18 pounds.
Hi, there! I've just happened to come across your blogspot by sneaking into someone I know's blogspot's links, and I really like you already. I wonder if being forty-something makes me eligible to comment,since I've already had children and that, I can guarantee, changes EVERYTHING. Still,having gained and lost tons of weight due to my two pregnancies, I sympathise with you and tend to feel the way you do when I just go with the flow and eat what I want, not what I should. I'll tell you one thing: I 've come to think it won't change the way I look in the long run if I only do it occasionally, say, on a weekend or a family meal, and the like. What's more, I think that if you're disciplined all through the week and add exercise to your healthy diet, you should not really feel at all guilty, 'cos you're just being normal.Guilt is a monster fed by the "experts" to sell: sell self-help books, diets, execise programs, etc, etc, etc.
Oh, by the way, I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina,but things around here are pretty much the same: hard to resist temptation when you eat out, and a high awareness of what one should or shouldn't have if trying to avoid gaining weight and staying healthy.
Anyway, I wouldn't mind it if you'd just let us know more about this diet that's worked for you, the South Beach... Really looking forward to it!
Thanks,
Fer.
Hi, Fernanda! Welcome to my blog :) I am glad you found your way over to it and enjoyed what you saw. And, thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
I have been doing really well with diet since early November and fairly well on the exercise front as well. I have been quite disciplined (if I may say so myself) and have recently found that it is not nearly as difficult to eat healthy the majority of the time as it was when I first started. I often look forward to the healthy meals I bring in to work for lunch or the healthy dinners my boyfriend and I make together at home. I will most definitely write something up about what I've been doing so keep your eye out! Hopefully I'll have the post ready soon.
Hello old friend,
Hey do not beat yourself up to much about it. If it makes you feel any better with the arrival of Sophie my push for exercise and diet have gone out the window. So I am back to my old size in fact bigger now.
Oh well, I am not too discouraged so you should not be too. You'll be back before you know it and I am sure I will get there too...eventually...
Majimooo! I am doing better now and not really beating myself up anymore. I went out again this past weekend but was good and got grilled salmon and veggies. I can imagine that priorities shift a bit when you add a new little one to your family. I have confidence you will get back to where you want to be when the time is right. Hope all is well with you and your fam!
thank...