If the Burger King and Taco Bell runs aren’t worth the consequences, why do I keep falling into that trap? Obviously, it’s because I have had good experiences with them before. When I was having those good experiences, though, the food wasn’t working against a specific goal I was trying to achieve. Yes, Taco Bell is excellent when I am drunk at 2 a.m. Yes, pizza is amazing when I have nothing to do for the entire day, but it’s just not worth it right now.
During past off days, I was eating shit just to eat shit, like it was my duty. It was as much a part of the diet as the salads and turkey sandwiches. I thought off days were the safe house that would give me the strength to get to the next level. They were the water cups during a marathon, or a campsite during a weekend hike.
That definitely wasn’t true. Sunday was my sixth straight day of eating healthy, but it isn’t like I wanted to cheat more Sunday because I ate healthy on Friday. No; every day is its own entity with its own rules. Sometimes the urge to cheat is will be there, sometimes it won’t. It really has nothing to do with how long I’ve held out - at least I don’t think it does.
Why am I putting so much stock into the off days? Well, because it seems like I should, you know? It seems like I am depriving my body of things it likes, so I should take time out to indulge. Sounds good, right? That’s really not how it works, though, because now I am treating my body better and giving it more of what it needs to work. So why should I go against that grain?
Off days should not be done just to curb a sudden craving. Instead, they should be applied correctly, when they can be appreciated. That’s what I think I learned.
P.S. Right after I wrote this entry, I decided to order the Biggest Loser Cookbook from Amazon. I'll let you know how that goes.
Article comments
1 - Alexandria
Hello again. I'm finally getting your pattern down. When all else fails, you'll check in after a weekend...so I did too.
You beat the cake! Awesome. It is a victory! Don't you hate well-meaning people pushing junk food at you? I like to respond, "No thanks, but would you like some heroin?" Food is just that addictive to me and can start an ugly, unplanned "off day."
By the way, I totally understand how you feel about most fast foods now. I went 8 years with no french fries. When I tried them again they tasted greasy, salty and fatty. Now, I won't even touch a pizza unless it's my favorite combination from my favorite food place. Otherwise, I feel like I screwed up for nothing!
Yep, I'm a psychologist (which probably makes that heroin sentences above sound even more weird). You will likely want to see one of my kind rather than a psychiatrist when you start your "Dan Nied's Path to Self Acceptance and Mental Stability." Traditionally, insurance only pays for a 15 minute med check with a psychiatrist but will pay for a therapist for the full hour. For a set number of sessions. (I won't get started on our ridiculous mental health care crisis in this country). But, with or without a therpaist, I cannot wait to read that blog!
Will you review the Biggest Loser meal plans for Blogcritics? I almost requested to review it but then decided I was too lazy and my children too picky to give it a whirl. But I'm still interested.
Oh, and you didn't reply about channeling your energy and determination toward work. I'm just curious....
Have a great week! I'm rooting for a solid 262 soon!
~(Insert Tricky Pseudonym Here)