In my ongoing battle with the scale (by which I mean my battle to stop weighing myself and seeking instant gratification) I remembered how important it is to do the right thing because it is the right thing, regardless of the consequences. Let me explain. Usually when I don't eat sugar for a few weeks I lose weight (largely because I eat so much of it). I convince myself to get through cravings my reminding myself that the scale will be my reward. The only issue with that is that scales are notoriously inaccurate. Also, strict weight loss is not a measure of overall health. It is not a really valid measure of how well or how poorly we eat or exercise (except perhaps over the long term). This week I ended up weighing in a few times and my weight actually increased. I briefly considered going out for a chocolate bar. (I mean why bother!) But then I remembered I had to do the right thing because it was the right thing and not because of the consequences/reward. I need to stay focused on the reasons I decided to do this.
You know what? It worked. I didn't throw in the towel and eat junk. I still need to work at disentangling my relationship with the scale, but I'm sure I'll get there.
Our ever-on-going battle with the sugar monster. I was surrounded by heavy drinkers for a week, and if I had a quarter for every time I heard, "I'm just not a sweet eater." as they swilled their beer and wine and rum while I stuffed my face with cake. I wanted to pluck out their eyeballs with my dessert fork, but I just mumbled around my Tres Leche cake, "Yeah, I used to be just like you."
ReplyDeleteBelieve me every morning and every late night while they were visiting, I thanked my lucky stars and God above that I wasn't just like them anymore. I'll take another helping of my lesser evil any day.
Agreed! On a scale of 1-10 sugar is a 2 and drinking is a 15. Or a 25. It's so much less important to me because its impact on my life is so much smaller. To be honest, I feel the same way about my smoking, even though the health effects are dangerous. Nothing destroyed my life the way that drinking did.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! If I was surrounded by heavy drinkers I would be there with you eating cake.
Oh yes, I'll take sugar over liquor any day of the week. The life-destroying qualities of alcohol in no way compare to sugar-on any level I can think of. And the thought of being surrounded by heavy drinkers just blows me away. I have stayed clear of drinkers for nearly thirty years, I'm not sure what i would do if I were suddenly forced to be around them. Weird to even think about it.
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