Small successes

[Time2Shine]

Since I'm new here, I'm not sure this is the right forum for this post. If not, please tell me where best to place it (for future posts).

I wanted to share what I think of as small successes for myself.

This past weekend was my young son's birthday and I had to buy a cake at the bakery. Not only did the wonderful smell of the bakery not tempt me to buy, but the cake I sliced and served didn't tempt me. I did get some frosting on my finger and tasted it--I found it totally unappealing. Success

We went away for the weekend and our drive was 3 hours long. I managed to drink 1/2 my daily water in that time. Ate my packed snack halfway through the drive and staved off any hunger. Success

Stayed 6 hours at an amusement park and walked 2/3 of that time. We were only seated to eat and ride rides or watch shows. I think I logged a minimum of 8 miles. Seriously. Success

While at the amusement park, I bought a ready to grab lunch of roasted chicken, jambalaya and grilled vegetables. The chicken was dry but I needed to eat it. The jambalaya had sausage and shrimp it in and I picked those out to eat; leaving the rice on the plate. The vegetables were not at all palatable, but I knew I needed them, so I ate them all. My husband even said they were awful (really nasty flavoring). I got my protein and veges for that portion of the day. My husband and son split a beautiful slice of chocolate cake and I didn't want any at all. My son offered me some fries and I didn't desire them at all (he's doesn't really understand that I "can't" eat that stuff anymore). Success

We went to dinner at Claim Jumper and I had a wonderful lettuce wrapped Widowmaker Angus burger with a delicious side salad while my mom indulged in garlic mashed potatoes and garlic bread with her meal. My son had fries with his ribs. My husband had a Cobb sandwich on garlic bread. Though the mashed taties and garlic bread tempted me and made we wish for them, I didn't have any urge to surrender to those desires. Success

The hotel had a nice morning buffet that had almost all bread products (hash browns, toast, waffles, rolls, danishes, cereal) and only pre-made omelettes. Not even any sausage or bacon. I ate two omelettes (filled only with cheese) and a cup of coffee. Didn't feel one bit deprived. Success.

On the trip home we stopped for Mexican food. My favorite. Didn't touch the chips. Bought a taco salad (the one in the big tortilla bowl). Ate everything inside (carne asada, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole--topped it off with lots of green salsa) and didn't even think about eating the shell. Got stuffed and happy. Success

They're small successes, but add up to a big success in my mind. I've defeated the demons of desire and controlled urges. All of it was effortless, though knowing that I was so aware of those desires/successes means they're not conquered and dead. It means the desire is still there and being quelled for now. I know now that I need to work harder to erase them from my mind lest they come back at some time when I'm not feeling strong and in control.

If you read this far, thanks I just had to share it with people you understand and some place where I feel "safe" in the folds of a like minded community.

Now I need to go eat my breakfast and start my day!

[SandyL2002]

Re: Small successes

Awesome job..Congratulations you are heading in the right direction!

[Time2Shine]

Re: Small successes

Thank you I think so too.

[missnikki217]

Re: Small successes

Amazing.

I wish I had your focus.

[Time2Shine]

Re: Small successes

Amazing.

I wish I had your focus.

It took me 3 months to get my head wrapped back around the Atkins WOE, but once I made the decision to put myself through induction it was done.

I guess I just don't see the point of putting myself through that torture, losing a good deal of weight and feeling better for doing so then to just throw it all away for a momentary gratification. And that gratification would only turn to disappointment and self-loathing once I realized what I'd done to myself. The bad foods just aren't worth that to me.

I did so well for so long the first time I followed Atkins. It was when I thought I was in control of eating just a little of the bad stuff that I got out of control. I now know that a nibble is just the first step to undoing all the good I've done. And that nibble led to a six month road of eating all sorts of bad things in doses, not binges, and packing 15 of the 20 lbs. I had lost. :: I did this to myself. Now I'm whittling away at the 15 gained and focusing on the 25 that still needed to be lost prior.

Carbaholic, alcoholic, sexaholic, chocoholic....it's all the same. You either decide to do it and never tempt yourself with "just a little" or you pretend you're doing it and fail to beat the beast back. I've learned my lesson and am going to strive very hard to live this way forever.

[Sueilp]

Re: Small successes

Hey well done - you are an inspiration

[momtomany1]

Re: Small successes

It is wonderful, and if you fully read the posts, what did the trick was sticking out the tough part to get to the easier part. You really do lose your desires for the foods you are used to craving like mad. You really do get to a point where the right decision becomes the automatic one, not the hard one.

I read the whole post and thank you for typing it out. It really does work, and you can feel completely successful and on top of the world. Good going!

[Outback Jess]

Re: Small successes

Girl, you are shining! Every day that you practice this level of committment, you will slowly, ever so slowly change your life....it is one day at a time, and some times it doesn't feel like you've moved at all....but you do. Every day, every choice counts!