Black and White

Starting any new workout or meal program is not hard for me.

Maintaining is what I struggle with.

It has always felt black and white.  

I am eating healthy and exercising or I am not.

Cheat meals/days while fun, tasty and necessary are for me frustrating 

and can quickly devolve into something binge-like.

I love RiceWorks chips.  

The Sweet Chili flavor hits that synapse in me that craves Doritos.

Yesterday was a high carb day and so I had some fruit with each of my meals

of protein and veggies.  In the afternoon the kids were snacking after 

school and I wanted my chips.

Needed my chips.

Chose to replace the fruit in my meal with a serving of my chips.

mmmm

Except then I ate three more servings nearly finishing the bag.  

Mind you the bag was nearly empty to begin with.

But still.

I went from feeling like a success in my day

Kids on the bus - check

Protein shake for breakfast - check

Laundry washed and folded - check

Work out with the hubs - check

Off to work - check

Chicken with fruit and veggies - check

Buffalo Muffins (these are amazing) with fruit and veggies - check

Home from work - whew the AC was out today

Laundry put away - check

Kids home from school - check

Yay me!

To the chip chomping yutz in the corner who can't stop herself from eating the irrationally tasty chips.

The upside is that I did stop eating them and didn't finish the bag.  

I threw the rest of the chips out to the chickens so
I wouldn't be similarly ensnared later 

(maybe my eggs in a few days will be a bit tastier too). 

And while I was able to cut this one off somewhat I have noticed a few things.

This happens more often when the hubs is not at home 

(There is no one observing and commenting on my choices)

This happens in the afternoon when the kids are snacking and relaxing 

I am hopeful that some strategies will help me.

Blogging and promising to be honest with where I am creates accountability for me.

Someone doesn't have to just be at home with me to comment on my choices now.

Oy

My children are no longer allowed to snack and relax.

Just kidding.

But relaxing for them will have to involve something else for me.

Reading to them, talking to them while I fold laundry, something...anything

to keep me out of the fridge when I don't belong there.

And finally the acknowledgement of shades of gray.

This did not ruin my day, it did not undo my workout.

It is yet another lesson in my journey and should be respected for what it is.

Oh, and don't buy the darn chips next time.

Amen.