I always thought I had my eating under control.I thought I just preferred junky foods, like chocolate, and fast food. I thought I only ate when I was hungry. But I guess honestly monitoring my food intake changed my belief....
A few times this summer, I opted to eat a healthy meal before I was facing a known temptation. For instance, last night, we went to a potluck party. I ate a healthy light dinner and saved calories to allow myself a treat like a cookie at the party + a snack after the party because it was so early and I didn't want to be hungry all night after the party. This way I figured I could get a nice treat but not be faced with the temptation of junky foods while starving. So even though I wasn't hungry (I wasn't full either though), I ended up eating a pig in a blanket, small veggie cream cheese pizza slice, and 1/2 small slice of croissant sandwich. Oh and a banana bread muffin, and 3 bites of cheesecake. My tummy hurt afterwards (not because I was so full, but because of the crappy food) and I felt so guilty! Quite frankly none of it tasted very good either. So why did I keep eating it?
I am back on track today, and I think the most important part is the lesson I learned from these few slip ups. I don't always eat only when I"m hungry. I eat because I love food and I love eating too. I also have to give myself kudos because I'm working my butt off and have made wonderful choices day in and out for the majority of the time I've been trying to lose weight since July. I just have to keep it up!
Does anyone have any advice? How do you handle situations like parties and known temptations? I don't believe I should never allow myself a treat, but eating a meal before hand isn't really working for me all the time either, then I end up with the cals of the whole meal + the "indulgences." I know I just have to choose my behavior, and that I am in control, and I do make good choices most of the time. But if anyone has any perspective/strategies, or advice or similar stories, that would be wonderful! It is a little scary to realize for whatever reason, I gave myself permission to eat like this, even if it was just a slip up for a mere 10 minutes. I guess I'm just scared because I was feeling so confident, not only about the reasons why I eat, but also feeling like I was in control....