So I was at one of my pharma dinner meetings last night. The food was especially good, and the dessert table included a Belgian milk chocolate fountain and little creme brulee cups -- two of my all-time favourite desserts.
My thought process went something like this: "Oh my, it looks like I'll be going way over my eating budget today. Oh well. I'll try to make up for it over the next couple of days. Hold on a minute... Who says I HAVE to have these desserts? Just because I've never resisted them in the past, not even one single time, doesn't mean I have no choice. Just for the heck of it, I pledge to not touch them tonight."
To reinforce my resolve I emailed my husband and kids and put my commitment in writing.
It worked: I resisted. Not a big accomplishment in the grand scheme of things, but still meaningful because it dislodged my ingrained belief that I simply CAN'T pass on these foods when they're available.
Great job! I imagine that it is very empowering to know that you can, in fact, resist those items. Sometimes you may CHOOSE to have them, and sometimes you might not. And it is up to YOU.
Good job! You don't always have to say no to them, either. Though I'm generally an abstainer, just knowing that at some point I can choose a piece of dessert or sushi is nice. I *choose* to say no to them most of the time, but I can choose to say yes, too. Just because I say no to cheesecake five times doesn't mean the sixth I can't say yes, or have somehow failed. It's like reverse moderation. I abstain almost all the time, so I can indulge every once in a blue moon with no repercussions or guilt
Last edited by Arctic Mama; 10-23-2013 at 06:29 PM.
Thanks, guys. I agree with all of you: I don't plan to abstain from such treats every time, or even most of the time. It's just good to know that I can coax my will power out of hibernation every once in a while. And as one of you pointed out, I'm sure it keeps getting easier with practice.
Freelance, it's inspiring to hear of others' successes and great to celebrate them, no matter how big or small. Also a great reminder to us that we can summon up that willpower.
Congratulations on your success thanks for sharing
Small victory
