Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Food Issues

The last couple of mornings I have had the worst time getting out of bed. I wake up on my own at about 5:30, then Tiny the cat nudges me out of bed to feed him at about 5:45, and I know I should get up and go for an hour swim, but I just can't. So I sleep until 7 or so and get up in time to get ready and still be able to walk to work. Which, you know, walking to work is good and all, but I need to swim since I don't think walking 3 1/2 to 4 miles per day is going to get rid of these 30 pounds when I spend the rest of the day on my bum in front of a computer.

Or maybe it will. Since I haven't been that successful thus far, maybe walking is the magical key.

I think ice cream is the reason I'm so lethargic. See, Breyer's was 2 for 1 this week. AND we had a coupon. 2 things of ice cream for LESS THAN 1. Score!

Only, not really when dessert for the past two evenings has been chocolate ice cream. We got the low fat version and I've been good about doling out portions in little bowls (or, last night, tiny plastic Paw Sox baseball caps). But I know how my body reacts to simple carbs and I feel like that's where the dragging is coming from.

What happened to my monthly splurge day, you ask? Yeah, that kind of went by the wayside. But I need to bring it back. I thought about it this morning and decided that I would much rather have a lovely pint of creamy, full-fat Ben and Jerry's or Haagen Daaz once a month, than the crumbly low fat pseudo ice cream every night.

I have also realized that it is seventy-five thousand times harder to be super-diligent when I have a husband in the house. When it was just me, I cooked for me and I bought groceries for me and I stuck to my plan. No questions. I still cook for us, but with Jason around I find that I tend to slip more easily. Like we're at a party and he eats a cookie. Well, darn it, I want a cookie too! Or he tells me about the sale on ice cream that we also have a coupon for, when, honestly, I wouldn't have cut out the ice cream coupon and I wouldn't have even looked at the ice cream sales in the store circular.

He's been doing really well with his jogging, and he's been eating what I cook and really thinking about his own health and that's wonderful. But I think he just doesn't have the same issues with sugary carbs that I do. I have a bad habit of eating and eating and eating when confronted with large quantities of treats. To the point where he's actually commented on the fact that I get out of control. I have to set limits for myself and I have to keep the junk out of the house. When I shopped only for me, it was very easy to follow those rules. Now it's harder and I'm trying to figure out how to make this work.

3 comments:

Fat[free]Me said...

Yeah, it is much easier to stick to a plan on your own, but at least you have a buddy for exercise!

I like the idea of a monthly splurge day. I might go with that too.

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

I have some tips for you!!

I have been with my husband for 16 years, and I have found what works for me, is to be strong, tell your hubby what you need and eventually he will get it!

For example, we get pizza every Friday night, and Sat. morning, my husband would heat up left overs and ask if I wanted some. Now, sometimes I would cave, but then I started saying "I splurged last night eating pizza, I'm going to make myself something else." Now, he never asks me, he knows I am not going to have left over pizza.

OR, at night when we are watching TV, he will pour a huge glass of milk, bring out a container of cookies, set them on the couch next in between us, so of course after they are there for a few minutes I would always have one or two. THEN, I told him. "Its hard for me to not eat cookies when the whole bag is in my face! Can you put the cookies you want on a plate for yourself?" And that has helped a ton.

I think the most important thing when you live with someone who doesn't care about portions, calories, etc.. is to tell them, THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN WEIGHT LOSS! If you keep saying it, they will get it!

Our husbands aren't mind readers, they don't have issues with food, or self control, so they won't get it unless you tell them!

I hope that helps!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

Great tips, Jenn! I agree, communication is key.

As far as the treats go, I think having a treat you REALLY want is the way to go. Otherwise, you are never really satisfied. And, I tend to eat way more of the not so satisfying stuff!