Monday, October 19, 2009

Temptation



If you read my previous post you already know that I hit the 50 pounds gone marker this week so I received the milestone award from 266 and I would like to say thank you. It's a great reward-award that I appreciate it.

Because of the number that appeared on the scale this week I was feeling pretty good about things so I decided to try on the size 16 jeans I had sitting on my dresser. I held up the first pair and I thought "these are never going to fit." To my surprise I pulled them all the way up and buttoned them without any struggle at all. I didn't have to lay on the bed to get them zipped and I felt comfortable wearing them. I thought maybe I misread the size so I took them off and sure enough they are a 16... the second pair also fit. Awesome! These are jeans that I had sitting in my closet for a few years (since the last time I lost weight) and every year when I go to dig for my Christmas decorations or an old text book I stumble across them and look at them longingly for a few seconds before sighing and putting them back in the box.
The last time I lost weight I moved 1500 miles from home for a temporary job. I was away from my family and friends for six months (although I met a lot of great people there) and I focused on work and eating healthy. I didn't have friends around to ask me if I wanted to split a pizza or share a popcorn at the movie. When the job was finished I returned to my friends and family and (unfortunately) my bad habits. On my trip home I was a size 16 and wearing the same pair of jeans I am wearing right now... it took me over a year to put all the weight back on.
Suddenly it dawned on me, from this point on I am in completely uncharted territory I have never in my teen or adult life been smaller than a size 16, I have jeans in my closet that vary in size from 22 to 16 but nothing in a 14 or a 12. I am not even sure what I will look like as a size 12 or a 10.
In my previous attempt to lose weight I completely removed temptation from my life, I didn't go out to eat and I bought single serving size portions of food so there wasn't even the opportunity to snack at night. This time, however, I have gone out to eat, went on vacation, had parties and met friends for a night out. Now the holiday seasons are upon us and I have considered banishing all things sweet (including ingredients to bake sweets) from my cupboards. However, I am thinking maybe this isn't the way to go maybe it would be better to face temptations head on.

How do you plan to confront the holiday season?

8 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, I missed the 50lb milestone post - well done!

    And well done on the size 16s - woo-hoo!

    Looking forward to see you move down the sizes too.

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  2. Hey, that's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? I was highly doubtful of the 14s at the mall a few months ago but they all fit. On some level we think of size as immutable.

    Re the temptation thing, I have kind of a funny halfway setup around here. I do keep chocolate and sometimes there's leftover cookies. If it's something really super tempting for me (licorice) I'll ask someone to hide it until next cheat day, where depending on whom I gave it to, I may or may not get it back :) I keep chocolate and fudgesicles because I don't want my kids to view these things as exotic forbidden territory. I'm used to them so if I overdo, it's not by a lot. But I don't expect to keep my absolute favorite things in the cupboard without getting into them. Of course if you're eating plenty of high quality food the temptation is more manageable.

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  3. Uncharted territory doesn't have to be a scary place, because it's full of new things and places and adventures. You will totally do this and keep rocking, I have faith in you.

    Josh

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  4. You are awesome! You are making me so proud! Keep up the great work! I do not know what I am going to do for the holiday season. I am just hoping to keep things in moderation :-)

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  5. I plan to make cookies and big meals and research beforehand the content of each. I know that if I KNOW what the nutritional info is, it makes it harder to eat it.
    I will also build in treats. I will exercise extra hard if I have to, but I will plan my weeks so that I can fit these in.

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  6. You are doing amazing, putting on those jeans must have felt like a million bucks. I have a pair of size 14 jeans I want to fit into a gain, however I'm WAY WAY far away from that goal.

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  7. First of all, how awesome! You are really doing great!

    Regarding banishing all sweet things - I am only speaking for myself here, as we are all different. I have to set strong boundries or I fail. For me, it is better to banish all things sweet. As I said, that is just me though.

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  8. Well done on the 16s!! How exciting. Maybe you should go to goodwill or Ross and buy a size 14 (and..heck...a size 12 too) pair of jeans....and hang them up up somewhere that you see them daily. That alone might help you through the holidays!

    I just bought a shopping bag full of halloween candy (it was on sale...)....we live in a busy halloween neighborhood so we always need a lot. In past years...I hide the bag from the kids but I am always dipping into it. So far this year...I have zero desire. Had it been here last week, tho...there might have been trouble.

    I cut out most carbs this week and it has made a big (huge) difference in my willpower. Suddenly, I am just indifferent to the candy and stuff. I made the kids pumpkin pancakes with mini choc chips for breakfast and enjoyed the smell...but truly just had no interest in eating one even tho they were gluten free. I had my two eggs with zucc and mushrooms and onions...topped with a little avocado and salsa instead and was quite satisfied.

    So...my personal solution for the holidays is to stay low carb throughout. When I have carbs...even just 1/2 cup of healthy brown rice....it triggers something in my. Erg. So..that is my plan. Will I be perfect between now and Jan 1? Doubtful. But, I'm gonna try!!

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