After taking in my mom and sister’s dog to be put down last night, all of us being emotionally worn down from a week of waiting for the appointment, they, my hubby and I went out to eat. It had been planned ahead of time. Partly because none of us had eaten beforehand and partly because it was good to stay out and go somewhere, instead of taking my mom and sister back to an empty house right away. It would be the first hour without little Leroy.
It was a late dinner, about 9pm. Since I’m doing a weight loss program and only had a certain amount of food values left in my day, I wanted to keep it light, not dipping too far into my extra allowed values for the week. I’m not typically the person who orders a salad as the main course when I’m in a restaurant. If I’m going to have the chance to eat a beef burger or something I don’t normally make at home, I’m going to order it.
I didn’t do that this time. My thinking and eating habits have changed in the past 11 (now 12) days. I set my mind on getting to my goal (and beyond), and it includes being able to do more than I’d done in my past attempts. If I chose the wrong (for me) food right now, it would mentally set me back, and it would open a door for more wrong choices in the days to follow.
For one moment I had switched my dinner choice from what I originally thought was the lightest choice on the menu – the chef salad – to a burger with melted feta cheese (even going as far as practicing how to say feta). I was going to ask for a substitute for the fries – a side salad, if possible – and accept digging deep into my extra allowed food values I had saved up during the week. Then I thought, “why on Earth am I doing this? This is not how I am training myself to think anymore! This is throwing my hands up and saying that my effort isn’t worth a chef’s salad.”
So I changed my mind back as soon as I felt the fear that I’d mentally set myself back. I told hubby, “you know what, I’m going to get the chef’s salad afterall.” I felt good that I was able to say it, and I was still going to get a good meal (with some cheese, too!). Hubby was proud of me, and that helped.
The salad came, and it was enough for 4 people. I ate the whole thing, with my gr
avy boatload of balsamic vinaigrette at my side. I only used a tiny bit of it, too. I’m not a balsamic vinegar person, but the little bit of flavor was just enough to make the salad come alive, and I really stuffed my face, for a lot fewer calories than I would have had. Oh, and I only ate one slice of the bread before dinner, with a little bit of butter. I wanted more, but the fact that I didn’t eat more feels better than if I had.
The choices I made at just one meal prevented me from thinking badly about my progress so far and possibly setting me back. I can’t allow myself to make the wrong choices. Once I do, it snowballs. It’s not about whether I deprived myself of the burger (“Go ahead, have the burger! It’s only one meal! You can make it up later! Life is short…blah blah blah”), it’s about making the better choice that allows me to be more satisfied in the end…and that means walking away not hungry as well as knowing that I still enjoyed what I ate. And that feeling will last longer than any meal can.
Shannan
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Posted in Family, Food, Weight Loss
Tags: Eating out, Family, Food, Weight Loss
Oranges 2 Oranges 
Oh no! 😦 I’m so sorry to hear about Leroy, Shan… I hope you guys all can find some peace about it in the coming days/weeks. Those appointments (Jedi, Spike) are about the hardest things I’ve done in my life. HUGS, lady.
I’m proud of you that you did well! That salad was very big and did look very fulfilling.
And thanks for you guys coming along.
Shannan,
I bet you were doubly glad you stuck with the choice of salad after you saw how huge it was. Your mind change about salad to burger to salad was so quick, I did’nt even think you were struggling with any of it. Glad you chose the salad and your words about Choices are inspiring.
P.S. Thanks Shan and Peter for yesterday. You made it much easier for us.
Love, Mom
Hey u, I am so proud of you. You have shown tremendous willpower and focus on eating right and exercising. The only reason any of this is working for me is because of your dedication to the plan. I could never keep up proper eating on my own, but with you I can. I can’t wait to see you running your 5k. You can do it. I love you.
Love the pic! LOL
Oh Shannan! I am very proud of you! Enjoyed seeing you last week. Keep up the great work! You can and will do it!