You CAN Have It All

I have spent much of my dieting life saying, "I can't have that" or being asked by someone if I can "have that" when I was on a diet. This is one reason why I loved the Weight Watchers program so much. I was able to have whatever I wanted as long as I fit it into my POINTS allotment. But, what I noticed starting to happen was I would find ways to finagle fitting in less healthy choices just to prove to myself that I could have it. I rearranged my menus often to accomodate that sweet treat at the end of the night regardless of whether or not I wanted it. Or, I would make sure to save enough POINTS for a cookie or chips with my lunch or even to have an afternoon snack.

Years of deprivation diets and skipping meals led me to believe that I wasn't allowed to eat certain things. It became ingrained in me that there are good foods and bad foods. And knowing this , of course, made me only crave those bad foods even more. There the cycle began of killer cravings, caving in to those cravings, eating mass quantities to get my fill for the next however long and then the crescendo of crushing guilt and failure. Massive blows to the self-esteem.

What I am beginning to realize is that there is no good or bad. Well, okay, there are deep fried oreos which I'm pretty sure are bad ;P But, really I look at it as better and best choices. Nothing has to be off limits. If you are commited to living a healthy lifestyle, you CAN have it all. In moderation. Just acknowledging that has been a huge change for me. It has changed how I fill my plate and the choices I make. It has curbed those feelings of deprivation because now if I see a brownie or a bag of chips, I know I can have them. I have been taking half the portion that I think I would want because I know that I can always have more if I truly want it. More times than not, I am feeling satisfied with what I had and don't reach for more. But, I know it's there if I want it and that takes all the pressure away =)


Playin' Pool

More hot, soupy weather today! This called for a pool day for sure! I did some house stuff this morning and settled in to a great breakfast of Post Trail Mix Crunch Cereal (love) with some strawberries and unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze...

Before heading to the parents' pool, I served us up some lunch. I had a turkey hummus wrap with baby spinach and roasted peppers and a side of sweet red grapes...

At the pool, I did a noodle riding workout (so silly looking!), swam a few laps and carried the daughters on my back around the pool. Pretty good strength workout, there!

I stopped for a late afternoon snack: some Triscuits and a plum...

That tied me over until dinner time. Tonight was leftover/ eat the freezer stash night...

The Chicken and Broccoli with Garlic Sauce reheated nicely...

I paired it with a TJ's stir fried vegetable egg roll...

I ended up leaving a few bites of egg roll and brown rice on my plate; another first! I have always been the President of the Clean Plate Club ;)

I might have to send my resignation letter...

Have a great night everyone!