But what about tomorrow, or, the day after? The Weekend!?!? Most weekends don’t present too much added challenge to my efforts to get healthy. This biggest challenge of weekends would be boredom, there is more free time and if not used well boredom can creep in and in days of the past I'd hit the pantry for food to relieve the boredom. Then there is a definite up side to having more free time on weekends, I have more time. More time to exercise. More time to plan for the weeks meals ahead. More time to do healthy things.
On MOST weekends those notions are true. But not all weekends are equal and this, the first weekend of May 2010, is not to be a weekend like most. It is a weekend filled with danger, filled with temptation, filled with challenge, filled with scary scary scary hurdles. Of course I am talking about food challenges. Did I say it is going to be scary?
Saturday is my nephews 1st Communion. We'll make the 2 hour drive to attend the church ceremony and then it will be back to my sister's house where she has planned a bountiful menu of delivery pizzas. Ugh, what a temptation to face at a time which will be the usual time we'd eat dinner anyhow. No doubt after the drive, after the church service, after the initial mingling at her house; no doubt by the time the pizza is served my hunger will be at a scary state and I'll be faced with the first dangerous challenge of the weekend to my success. Pizza? Thanks Sis!
Sunday is no better. Sunday we are getting the families together to celebrate the birthdays we have in May and Mothers Day even though it’s a week early. How are we celebrating that? Well how else, with a Sunday brunch of course. Oh it gets better, we're brunching at Papadeaux. Yes, I know that Papadeaux is a seafood restaurant so there will be healthy options available. But if you have not experienced a brunch at Papadeaux then let me fill you in; it's HUGE. Decadent and Sinful foods from every planet in the galaxy and lots and lots of them. So here I'll be faced with the second dangerous challenge of the weekend to my success.
So how do I get through it? My immediate thought is that if I pay attention to what is before me and am conscious of the decisions I'll need to make this weekend, then I should be fine. Otherwise if I just go into these events blind to my having to think and make decisions then I will no doubt make bad choices and do harm.
Can I handle it, I think so... Can I make the best of these challenges and at a minimum do no harm, I think so… Can I stare down temptation without starving myself and feeling like I am being punished, I sure hope so… Can I quickly book a trip to Guam and avoid it all, I think that would result in a frying pan to my head so probably the best way to face the danger ahead.
All that said I am so looking forward to these events with the family. Never do I want to dread such events because of what they may do to my health. Therefore I am just going to have to learn how to balance family festivities with healthy eating, and as well, eating out with healthy eating,
Hey, TGIF, enjoy it!
Responsibility 199... Gotta Do It!!
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I think most of the danger comes not from you - but from those who inadvertantly sabotage your efforts without even realising it. For so long we take everything offered and then some, even when we profess to 'being on a diet' that they can hardly be blamed for thinking that we really want what they are offering. The best lesson I learn't was the art of saying 'No thanks I am fine'...and drinking tea till it came out of my ears. It doesn't actually take too long for people to get the message that this time you mean it.
ReplyDeleteThen its up to you. At the moment of choice, do you pick up, or do you turn round and find someone to talk to. Gotta do it - 199 reasons to make the right choice. Will be rooting for you!
hey patrick, so happy to find your blog :)
ReplyDeletethanks for commenting on mine and I look forward to reading your blog and following your journey, congratulations on making a change in your life and wanting to be around for your kids.
I wanted to thank you for the lovely comment yesterday. I'm glad I found you, it will be great watching you transform yourself. I can tell this time is "the" time for you.
ReplyDeleteAs for the weekend, it is all a mental game. I say plan, plan, plan, to get through it. As I read it I thought ok on Saturday I would have nuts and a piece of fruit in the car waiting for me after the church part so on the way to the sisters I could eat that and be less hungry when the pizza came. On Sunday I would eat before I went to the restaurant so again I wouldn't be as hungry. I would also have a HUGE bottle of water both days so I could drink, drink, drink. Plus I would make it about the people and less about the food.
On the flip side of this I'm thinking man I'm lecturing the poor guy, telling him what to do but I'm not I swear, I'm just telling you what I would do. What I've done on many occasions.
I also know that just last weekend I went next door to a party and I ate everything in sight but thankfully I had went for a 3 mile walk before I went and I didn't beat myself up over it.
Bottom line it's all a mental game and knowing you can do it is the key. It's also realizing that one meal or one weekend isn't going to break the bank. Thing is in the beginning sometimes it does. It can throw you off to not get back on the wagon. So I say be strong Patrick and know you CAN DO IT!!!! Plan plan plan and think positive thoughts! I'm rooting for you too!!!
Hope I didn't sound preachy lol.
Ok...if it were me...and we are talking me...I'd go for Guam and the Frying pan.
ReplyDeleteOk...just kidding...these are great tests...no different than fall/winter holidays were for me...I brought my own food items and already knew what I'd eat...I'd suggest that for your sisters.
A brunch (and I assume an all you can eat buffet?)...wow...that is my kryptonite...I would find one healthy item and put the most of that in the middle of the plate...and select 3 other items that you can put bite sized tastes to go along with it. Eat the healthy item first, though.
Stay strong my friend...stay strong.
Blue, Saying "No thanks I am fine" is something I'm sure I can do when folks offer me temptation.
ReplyDeleteLauren, Likewise I look forward to reading your blog and following your journey.
Dawn, your ideas are appreciated very much and not seen as lecturing. I do have a HUGE water bottle & can plan to drink, drink, drink after the church service to fill up a bit before facing the pizza eye to eye.
Kyle, Tickets to Guam are a bit costly so I'm going to give that place the most one healthy item in the middle of the plate trick a try.
Thanks for the thoughts everyone, loved reading them.
Have a good weekend!
Patrick...I know you'll do just fine this weekend...I also gave you an award on my blog.
ReplyDeleteKyle, thanks for the award. Just stopped by with a quick reply on it. I'll ponder those choices while working out this morning.
ReplyDeleteWhat I have learned to do is carry protein (meal replacement) bars with me. I eat one before going to one of these events and then even if I do eat there, I don't eat as much. I also try to spot the healthiest options and make requests if possible (will there be any vegetarian pizza for example). Hang in there! I have my son's birthday tonight and he has chosen Dairy Queen...I have extra bars with me lol.
ReplyDeleteGwenny, the other day Kyle had similar thoughts. Meal replacement sounds like the right idea. I've yet to study to see what the right bars are for me. I know some are just loaded with sugars. Something I plan to research though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me :-)