One “off” day – Bariatric Edition

Don’t’ allow it to turn into a week/ month/ year.

It happens to ALL of us.  Saturday rolls around, we head out to brunch with a few friends.  We order eggs benedict and a mimosa.  The plate comes with home fries, bacon, toast.  We eat it ALL.  It’s wonderful and we are stuffed.

Later in the day, we visit a local market and there is a stand with homemade ice cream.  Yes, please!!  I will take a scoop of chocolate and butter pecan.  It’s so so so so good.  They even put a homemade cookie on top of my cone. 

We shop a bit, eat a bit, stroll a bit. All in all, a wonderful Saturday.

What’s for dinner?  Well, I haven’t had pasta in AGES.  Maybe I could whip up a mac and cheese, or a lasagna.  What goes with pasta?  Homemade bread goes with pasta, and I happened to pick up a gorgeous freshly made, local loaf of bread at the market.  I also have some gorgeous butter that I found at the same market.  What a coincidence.  Dinner is going to be so amazing.

Dessert?  I am so stuffed I couldn’t.  Well, maybe a slice of peach cobbler.  The lady at the market told me that she just made it last night.  It will go perfectly with some vanilla ice cream.

Sunday morning, I roll out of bed feeling tired, and lethargic, and heavy.  What did I do yesterday?  I am in a food coma.  I can hear the kids whispering about pancakes or French toast.  What a great opportunity to use the real maple syrup I bought at the local market yesterday.  French toast, eggs, Canadian bacon, and maple syrup.  What a way to start the day.  But first, I want to try that pumpkin spiced latte recipe that I saw online.  Fall is in the air.

I don’t feel like cooking dinner. I cook all week long.  What about ordering a pizza?  The whole family agrees.  Deep Dish Pizza and a good movie are exactly how we should end our weekend.  Yeah.  Pizza without a glass of wine?  Don’t mind if I do.  Maybe two glasses? 

Monday rolls around.  What a great weekend but I feel like C&%$.  Now what?  Ugh.  This is where I need to “reel it in” … bigtime.  I do not want to have a 10 pound regain so now is the time to get serious about my diet again.  It’s way too easy to just rinse and repeat what happened on the weekend. 

I already have friends calling me to make plans for Wednesday at lunch.  We have a little office party with a charcuterie planned for lunch on Thursday.  Friday is “let’s order pizza” in for lunch. I can see all my hard work spiraling out of control.

STOP.  This is not worth it.  Like not at all. 

This little “weekend extravaganza” can turn into a month-long extravaganza if I am not careful. 

What about having a potluck “low carb lunch” with the friends on Thursday with a walk afterward? I am sure they will be on board.  What about suggesting a salad bar instead of pizza for lunch on Friday?  Everyone can bring some veggies/ protein and I can make a healthy salad dressing.  I am sure the others will be happy with this idea.

Sometimes life gets in the way but instead of giving in to the temptation of allowing one weekend of “fun eating” to derail you. Put a solid STOP to it and get back on track right away. 

Weight yourself.  Yes.  Don’t shy away from the scale.  Just seeing that number move up a few pounds should be enough inspiration to get back on track. 

Make a meal plan.  Failing to plan is planning to fail. 

Start logging your food again.

Add some extra physical activity to your days. Take a walk each evening after dinner.

There are so many ways to put a stop to undesirable behaviors, but you must WANT to do it.  Going with the flow is so much easier at times but I want YOU to SWIM UPRIVER with me.  I want you to do things differently.  I want you to put yourself first and stay the course.

Have your weekend – eat the ice cream.  Enjoy the pizza and wine…. And then STOP.  You did it. You enjoyed it.  Now it’s time to get back to work.

If this helps one person, I have done what I have set out to do.

Heathy Hugs,