Some days you just have to fight the eating, you know? Today was one of those days. I won the battle, though, at least so far.
It was usual bagel day this morning. We thought about biking, but it was 30 degrees. I am getting antsy to get back out on the bike regularly again!
My wheat bagel with cream cheese.
This will actually keep me full until lunch with the 2 big cups of coffee I drink along side it. One of the few breakfasts that I eat that lasts for such a long time. Bagels are pretty much the only bread I eat anymore.
I was busy right up to lunch and didn’t notice because I wasn’t super hungry. I made a quick plate to nosh on. Lots of pieces makes the meal last longer.
I also got dinner started after lunch. I threw some marinade in the crockpot with boneless chicken thighs. I know crockpot meals are easy, and yet I forget to use it so often. With working at home, you would think I would take advantage of this stuff.
By the time latte time rolled around, I was hungry. I thought hard about having something else with the latte, but I had my food planned out for the day already. Most times the latte does me pretty good, but I had some snack thoughts implanted in my brain.
You always read from experts to ask yourself, “Which is more important to me, the food or the goals I am trying to achieve?” Of course, we all answer the goal because we are supposed to. But what about the answer that comes immediately after what we are supposed to say? As in “I don’t care, give me the cookie!” That is the tough part to struggle through.
So, when I started cooking up veggies to go with the chicken, John was also making something. He always brings something to his poker night. Normally I don’t have troubles with what he makes because they aren’t *my* type of snacks. However, tonight John made my personal crack:
Sugared pecans. With a touch of smoked sea salt. I adore these nuts and I can binge on them like nobody’s business. Of course, I was already hungry because it was dinner time and I nibbled on the small broken pieces, because you know the calories on those don’t count, right?
I could really feel myself teeter on the edge of just chowing down and saying “I am going to eat whatever tonight because I feel like it.” It’s been probably 6 weeks since I have felt like this. That precipice is a hard place to back down from. I had maybe a half ounce to 1 ounce of nuts before I got the brakes on.
Here was dinner, btw. It was quite good.
My literacy learner cancelled for tonight, so I knew I would have a problem if left alone at home with said nuts. John usually will leave some of whatever he makes at home just to have around, which, again, is not normally an issue with me – but not the nuts! I asked him to take all of them with him tonight so I wouldn’t be tempted.
Not sure what brought on that real desire to eat. The bagel? Could be. The sugar in the nuts? Probably. Who really knows.
I did go out for a 3 mile walk tonight after dinner – a very windy walk, I might add.
Now at least there are no nuts in the house, but I also need to just have my planned snack, which is a glass of almond milk and some fruit. If any nuts do return with John, at least I can plan them in to a snack sometime this week and not go overboard now that I am prepared for them.
Good job not giving in! It can be very difficult sometimes … I hope you have a warm, non-food craving night!
Your lucky I didn’t stop by to visit because the nuts would have been eaten in no time 🙂
One of my food triggers!!
Lori you always inspire me to eat healthy and lift weights
Thanks Suzi!
Good job avoiding the snack monster. I’m afraid the snack monster is winning in my house, but I am determined to prevail!!!!
It’s good for those of us who are struggling with weight loss to know that there will be days that we will still struggle with the food once we reach maintenance. You do a great job! Also, I have noticed that most of your lunches and dinners are mostly protein, vegetables, and fruit. Is that also how you lost your weight? I am finding that carbs do a number on my weight loss progress.
I used to eat a lot more bread-type carbs than I do now. When I was losing, I actually ate more. Most of my carbs now come from fruit, veggies and dairy.
I do like to keep my higher carb meals at the beginning of the day as that seems to be when I need them most with workouts and breaking the night fast.
I had a few days like that starting last Saturday. I think it was the movie popcorn that started off a few days of being less than accountable. I didn’t go off the deep end but I definitely wasn’t as in control as I would have liked.
Great job keeping the binge monster at bay. I tackled my issues by starting to journal again yesterday writing EVERYTHING I put in my mouth down even if it’s a taste. Not calorie counting per se but the writing keeps me focused.
What do you sprinkle on your apples/pears? It looks yum 🙂
I use cinnamon on my pears. You must try it – so good!
You are on a roll Lori! I can see the weight loss in your face–am I right?
Also, sugared nuts WITH salt. Oh my. Crack-o-rama!!! I think having the plan really helps. Because then I can look back and remember, Oh yeah. I had a good meal there, or a treat there. And look what’s coming next? Yes, I like that too. Ooh, and guess what I have planned for tomorrow… Anyway, that’s the conversation in my brain. Proving the saying that a lot of weight loss happens between the ears. Is that the saying?
I don’t know if you can see much weight loss. You would think I would lose weight being on a roll, but that’s not how my body works.
(I almost wanted to put LOL after that. I wish I could laugh at that, but I can’t.)
Great job on not giving in and for having a plan in case some of the nuts return home.
The chicken looks really tasty!
Those days are tough to power through…glad they don’t seem to happen very often! Good job resisting the “disinhibited eating” – hopefully you’ve passed the worst of it for today.
Having had personal experience with the sugared pecans that John makes, I know why you had to send all of them with him. They are the things that dreams (and cravings)are made of!
I know – I about died when I came out to the kitchen and he was cooking those! Eeek!
Good job getting it under control!
Some foods just make me want them more, and I wonder if that was the case today for you. I love sugared pecans or walnuts, but I could have a bucket full of them in the house and still dole them out in the proper portions. But if I had a plate of cookies or brownies on the counter, I’d nibble my way through the whole thing. Or at least half of it. 🙂 (This is why these things go out of th ehouse or in the freezer ASAP!)
Thanks for this post. It teaches me that there are people out there who are working on controlling what they put in their mouth and how they do it. Many times when I’m having a bad time with food cravings, I think back to your posts and try to figure out how you handle it and how that works!!
How much grain free you are is awesome! I’m still taking steps. Being a vegetarian, it sometimes very difficult to work around the carbs.I do try to put in lentils, fruits and veggies.And dairy. But sometimes, I feel I am out of eating options. Any suggestions?
Being veggie is tough to reduce carbs. Maybe paneer – more eggs?
I think you did a great job not giving in! I have to be honest that usually on days like this I do give in. But like you those days don’t happen to often anymore. Guess we get used to our new way of living.
It’s hard work fighting temptations. These days I always have my favorite chocolate in the house and yesterday I had to fight the urge to pop one extra in my mouth..
It’s also exquisite torture to start the day eyeing your foods! I should always eat breakfast before I check your blog.
How does John make the said nuts? 🙂
I’ll have to find the link to the nut recipe. They are super, duper easy.
Ive been starving all week.
I be blaming hormones.
join me 🙂
I’m here the day after and hoping that you’re not having another day like this. You know, I’d probably blame the bagel except that you say you feel full for hours afterwards so I really don’t think it’s that. Besides, the cream cheese would temper the carbs a bit anyway.
Actually I think something was in the air yesterday because even though Wednesday tend to be a bit higher calorie day for me due to all the workouts I do the 3 days prior, I too was fighting the urge to eat, eat, eat. And it was all day too – even at work where I really don’t have anything to eat except what I bring. My mother used to say it was Spring Fever when I was growing up. Maybe she was right!
I find it telling that you are Not Giving In and I am Not Backing Down 🙂
Congrats Lori! I hear you on that question – I want to say give me the cookie too! 🙂
I notice if I start eating sweets, that’s all I crave for DAYS. It seems to take a while to get it out of my system. Weight just packs on (we’re talking 1-2lbs for a couple cookies) and I can’t get the thought of sugary snacks out of my head. If I don’t eat anything, then I am fine. It’s pretty bizarre.
OMG! I could do handfuls of those pecans!
Your food looks so gooood!!
Look at all that beautiful food! I ate it all up off the computer screen. Now I am virtually full. M’kay?
I don’t get crock potty enough either. Chicken marinade sounds fab. I’m gonna do it.
I don’t want to be “that girl” but the goal WAS more important to me. When I was trying to lose 100 pounds that goal was all I thought about. Sure I had a few slip ups here and there but I was determined. And now that I’m maintaining, I’m more lenient and I do let myself have a treat but that goal of keeping it off is still really important to me.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being ‘that girl’. We all have our own way of getting there and staying there!
Good to know that you have struggles like this too. Mine just seem to be way more often and I give in too much!
Way to go on making it through so well Lori. I had a bad day yesterday and I didn’t fare as well. But today is a new day and I will remember what is more important to me 🙂 thanks for the reminder.
Hi Lori!,
I just have to say that I very much NEEDED this post. I have been having lots of trouble lately about giving into cravings and urges to eat when I’m not “really” hungry. Last night I wanted a bowl of cereal <-(the devil!)after dinner but I did not need it. So instead of giving in I came back here and re-read your post and decided that I just needed to go to bed instead. Today I am glad that I decided to not give in and have you to thank.
I’m glad that helped you out!
YOu are a strong woman Lori!!!!! No nuts in the house? I have two…Dennis and myself. OMG…I did NOT write that! sigh. What on earth was in my coffee this morning?? Happy Thursday!!