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Thursday, April 24, 2008

The "Worth it" Factor

There's a post over at Our Wicked Weighs about what 100 calories can look like. Of course, the list varies. There is a comparison offered - a cup of baby carrots or 10 M&M's - and the question is asked: are the 10 M&M's worth it? If you've ever read the Looney Spoons cookbook, it contains many such comparisons.

Today, I got to thinking about that "worth it" factor, and how it can really vary. Maybe on one day, you are hungry and you want to fill yourself up. In that case, the volume of the cup of carrots is probably the right choice. But some days, maybe those 10 M&M's really are worth it.

I've tried really hard this week to make good choices, to cut portions, to stick to planned meals and snacks. And I've done it. There have been some evenings when I've gone to bed feeling hungry. But the number on the scale has dropped over the past few days, and it feels like those efforts have been worth it.

But sometimes, you do need a treat. I truly believe it is all about balance. Whatever your preferred method for weight loss, it's going to come down to eating less, choosing healthy foods, and passing up on some things that you might want to eat. But there has to be a way to do it without making yourself miserable.

Fleeting cravings that made there way across my consciousness today:
- Chocolate milk (weird, I can't drink milk)
- Dill pickle potato chips
- Cookies! Any kind of cookies!

I didn't have any of those. They were just fleeting thoughts that popped in to my head, and didn't last.

But I did have a cheeseburger for lunch. We had a work lunch today, and looking at the menu, that was what I really wanted. It came with fries. It was good. I didn't eat the whole burger, or all of the fries, but I had enough that I was satisfied. Worth it.

Am I just making excuses? Maybe.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day, and I know having a higher-calorie day to day might affect that. But, what's done is done and I'm not worried about it. I'm ready to work hard again next week and hopefully see results. We shall see.


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Daily Record
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Weight: 141.4

BF: 1/2 cup raspberries & 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, coffee w/cream
Lunch: Cheeseburger, fries, beer
Supper: Tandoori chicken, basmati rice, (last of the leftovers), salad

Workout: 45 minutes on the treadmill

5 comments:

HappyBlogChick said...

I agree 100% ... sometimes a couple bites (or, sometimes even more than a COUPLE bites) of something that is truly what you want is a good answer, because, for me, I end up being satisfied as opposed to wanting and craving and feeling deprived and sometimes ultimately binging.

That said, for me (like you), it needs to be something that's more than a fleeting thought. I think you handled your day a lot like I tend to handle mine when it comes to cravings and meals, etc.

My husband and I have recently started sharing hamburgers. I LOVE it, because I have no self control if the other half is sitting in front of me. But if it's his dinner, it's safe from me!

I bet you'll be a-OK on your weigh-in tomorrow. I'm sending skinny vibes.

the Bag Lady said...

Well, Javachick, the Bag Lady's scale tells her that she has only lost 2 lbs (or 3 lbs - it bounces a little) but she wore a pair of jeans to town today that felt tight the last time she wore them, and she felt quite comfy in them today! She also had a burger and fries for lunch (the Cowboy was with her and he chose where to have lunch) - but she gave him most of her fries and didn't finish the burger.
We're doing great, kiddo!!

Sarah said...

I totally agree! You cannot be a successful dieter if you don't allow yourself some treats now and then. I truly believe someone who never eats something totally yummy and fatty and sugary is doomed to fail at their diet. I know I couldn't live without my treats!

Unknown said...

Great post! :) I totally agree also with you. You can not really deprive yourself of your favorite foods, you just accommodate for them and control the portions. That way you don't feel like you are deprived and binge later.

I liked the comparison part because for some people who end up hungry all the time, it is what they are eating compared to what they could be eating. And yes, sometimes those m&m's fit in nicely.

I had a lovely BBQ'd cheese burger myself today too! :)

Christy said...

What an awesome post! I too, agree 100%. What is worth it to me on one day is not what's worth it to me on another day. I think that is the whole secret to not only weight loss, but more importantly to being healthy and balanced.

If you constantly deprive yourself of what you really want, it's almost always (for me at least) going to end up in a binge, and will contain everything I feel I've deprived myself from.

It's tough to, to decide whether it's a fleeting craving or a real craving. SUre I often think about ice cream and chocolate and chips, but not enough to actually consider whether I should have them or not.

I think you've hit one of the most important keys to success with your post today :)