[Sunshine73]

Today I had to serve yet another day of Grand Jury duty. Typically we're done by noon so I wasn't concerned about lunch because I was planning to come home and eat. However. The case load was epically large today and we were held over until after lunch. Which meant that the county provided lunch for us at a nearby restaurant.

It's a great place to eat but it's an Italian place which means lots of carbs. We were presented with a limited menu and I made what I thought was the best choice for me at the time: a turkey club sandwich - I didn't know it came with fries.

I ate half of the sandwich, probably 1/4 of the french fries and I drank water with lemon. I know that it's not nearly as bad as it could have been but I can't stop beating myself up over it. I shouldn't have eaten the fries at all. I shouldn't have eaten the bread on the sandwich...I should have just ordered the club with everything left off except the turkey so I could have just eaten the turkey.

I don't know why I'm freaking out so badly over this but I am. Logically I know that it wasn't like a massive binge but I can't stop all the negative self talk. I keep thinking that I've ruined all my hard work and that I'm disgusting because I couldn't make an appropriate decision for lunch.

Ack! Does this ever get easier? When will I ever have a healthy relationship with food.

[nelie]

Personally, I hate eating on other people's terms. Are you able to bring your lunch? Bring your own snacks?

[kirara982]

Be proud! You made a great choice compared to how it could have gone! Keep that in mind, but if you're still feeling upset about it, just remember to make a different decision next time. Next meal, start over and make a healthy choice.

One of my biggest pit falls used to be saying "To heck with it!" if I made one mistake, but that kind of thinking ends with nothing but bingeing and weight gain. I do get into moods like that though, where I just dwell on it and feel so bad about what I did.. I just try to keep my focus on the positive. It doesn't ever really go away, I don't think, but it gets easier when you teach yourself to be positive about it. =)

[Sunshine73]

Originally Posted by nelie

Personally, I hate eating on other people's terms. Are you able to bring your lunch? Bring your own snacks?

Unfortunately there's really not an option to bring in our own lunch. They provide coffee, water and donuts during the morning session. I managed to ignore the donuts though...that was okay. It was just the lunch thing.

[JayEll]

It sounds to me as though the choices you made were good. Maybe not up to your high standards of perfectionism but still not the worst you could have done.

Forget about it. Just go on with your plan. Don't let that "mean voice" inside convince you to give up.

I second the idea of bringing food with you in case this happens again. If you can't bring a regular lunch, then maybe something like some protein bars in your bag or purse would be a good strategy.

Jay

[sailyn]

Sounds like you made a great choice considering your options! I would have inhauled all the fries if they had been put in front of me. Try not to beat yourself up about it bc it sounds like a great decision!

[beerab]

I probably would have ordered a garden salad (if they had that)- but a turkey sandwich is not terrible at all.

I have a hard time resisting french fries as well.

It's just a lesson learned, next time take lunch or heck, if it was a restaurant just ask them to make something for you- if they have lettuce they can always toss together a salad for you- even if it's not on their menu tell them you are on a restricted diet- most restaurants are happy to oblige.

[rockinrobin]

I think you did pretty darn well.

You recognized where you could make some improvements and next time you'll be sure to do so.

There will ALWAYS be room for improvement. This journey is a process and an evolving one at that. It's an incredible learning experience. And hopefully, we never stop learning. We will always be a work in progress and I do look forward to hearing of your continued progress.

[fattiegirl]

I am sure you remember a time when you would have ordered a fatburger, loaded up on condiments, ate all the fries and ordered dessert. Look at your progress. Keep striving for perfection. I think a little beating is necessary to stay on track, but your done. I am right there with you. Keep shining Sun!

[Ursula745]

Why are you expecting perfection? Perfections never happens. It's a journey. You made excellent choices. Please don't beat yourself up over this. No harm done. Really. Good job for what you did today.

But seriously, if you beat yourself up when this happens, you'll place a lot of stress on yourself, and THAT can cause weight gain. Learn to roll with the punches and do the best you can with whatever life brings you.

[dragonwoman64]

restaurants can be a pitfall for me. yes, I think it gets easier, with practice and retraining my way of thinking about eating out. last year I freaked out about holiday eating too, but this year I feel pretty calm. that mindset can take the pleasure out of life. I think it's better to plan on an eating approach ahead of time and learn to concentrate more on the non-food aspects. Like going to that restaurant with the other jurors, maybe there were a couple of really interesting people to talk to. or finding something out about the legal process you didn't know, that's interesting. Remember it's a process. and there's no such thing as perfection, just finding a way that works for you and your goals.