I'm scared.... As I was ordering my lunch today I walked right over the chip rack and grabbed a bag of chips to go my vegatarian sandwich... Not a horrible unforgiving decision, I could have gathered up my senses and vow to do better at supper, but I didn't even feel guilty... instead I assigned the behavior an excuse "Oh I'll start back on my program after the first of the year... I'll make better choices then... I'm not going to worry about it till then... It still amazes me how quickly I gave myself permission to eat what I want until January. I've had time to reconsider my circumstances and opt for a better supper.... but it scares me how easy it is to cave in... just for the sake of a date on the calendar.

I've been there and done that many times in previous attempts to get rid of this weight... the only difference is I never came to my senses before it was too late like you've done today- awesomely (is that a word?) done girl!

Agree! Every day is a little surrender and a little victory You'll win the war yet. Great job!

And there are so many things out there right now to tempt us too; good for you taking control with the very next meal -- that's a great recovery and you can save the day or at least the week. Kudos for that ...

Don't feel too bad, we all cave now and then, it's recognizing the problem that's the hard part. It might be bad you went off plan, but you see the problem...so really it's a good thing.

I've kind of had a bad week this week, and I also feel a bit scared. It's strange, because it should be a situation that I have complete control over, but I'm afraid of my own choices. I've just stuck with it and come a long ways over the last few weeks (I haven't lost all that much, but sticking with anything for more than a day or two is a big thing for me), and it would be a let down to myself if I gave up. I'm determined to take control of my life and become the person I want to be.

My big slip up was not recording everything down. I have been planning each meal and sticking to it strictly. This week, I quit doing that, and while my diet was mostly healthy, I know I had a few too many "extras." I weigh tomorrow, we'll see just how many extras snuck in, hehe. But, every day is a new day. Even if I gain some this week, I will just learn from my mistake and do better next week.

Good for you for realizing that you slipped up before it snowballed into something bigger

I know what you mean. I only just started but I've had so many starts and stops throughout my life. Even for the past couple days I've been justifying my junkfood eating habit by thinking, it's the holidays, I'll just start on New Year's Day. I had to mentally kick myself many times and think, No, you're going to start now and when New Years comes around, you won't make the same resolution that you make (and break) every year about how you'll start losing weight. You'll make a resolution about continuing to lose weight.

In the past if I messed up on eating well one day I'd tell myself, okay, it's completely messed up everything, might as well give up for the rest of the week and restart on Monday. Like Monday was a reset button or something.

i would work the chips into my calorie allowance. You can't tell me no chips. I have been craving them less and less though.

You are learning that you can have the chips, or not have the chips. Whether it's a bad or good day on the calendar, or it's your TOM, or work was hard, it's your birthday, it's your family reunion, the moon is full, whatever, your body does NOT care. The calories still count, and there are consequences. Your body will do what it does best with excess calories.

Of course, you can fit some chips into your plan from time to time. Key words: SOME, FROM TIME TO TIME. But just grabbing things off a rack is really just letting the child within run amok, isn't it? Next time, put the chips back. It's really simple. Or, plan to have them in advance! Both will work.

Hang in there!

Jay