Yesterday: Refresh After Eating; Today: Walk

Yesterday's goal was to clean my palette in some way after eating a meal or snack.  Throughout the day, I did this in a few different ways, but each time the intent was to tell my brain that I should be done.  I'm told most people have hormones that do this, but mine appear to be rather soft spoken. Much louder hormones shout out, "Is that all you got, Beeatch??  Gimme some more SUGA, honey!"  and that sort of thing.

I am pleased to say that I managed to stifle these pesky hormones with giant glasses of water, pieces of gum, a layer of toothpaste, and a hot cup of mint tea.  Woo hoo!  And, what's more, I am sure 9 out of 10 dentists recommend this method!

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Today I head back to work and I have a laundry list of things to do.  I think my trouble spot, once again, will be getting some activity during the day, so my goal is to walk at lunch time.  I'm not going to be too specific about this - any amount will do - because, frankly, I'm  not sure I will remember.  So, even if I forget at exactly noon, I will go, as soon as I remember.

I hope.

Yesterday: Schedule It; Today: Refresh After Eating

Yesterday's goal was to create a schedule for my day, including meals.  This tactic has worked well for me in the past, because I tend to fill free time with food.  I eat, not because I am hungry, but because I have nothing better to do.  Making a schedule, even if I do not stick to the timing minute by minute or hour by hour helps me to remember all the other things I could be doing with my time.  When this tactic really works, I even get a few things off my to-do list or spend time enjoying myself with a hobby. 

So, how did it go yesterday?  OK.  I made my schedule, did the things on it, including meal time.  In this sense I was successful.  But the underlying goal, to remain within allowable limits for caloric consumption (aka, to not eat like a pig)?  Eh.  I did mostly ok, but I ate too much at lunchtime.  I had my sandwich and salad, and afterwards I looked around and said, "Now what else can I eat?"  Then, I answered myself.  I had a bowl of cereal.  With this addition, I was very close to my allotted points for the day, at only half past noon, and I struggled to avoid going completely over the top after returning from the grocery store.

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Sometimes I find it is good to look back on the challenges of yesterday in order to formulate a goal for today.  For, today is a pseudo-weekend, the much loved Monday holiday!  Yay to free time and staying in my pj's all day; nay to binging on snickerdoodles while watching multiple documentaries on Netflix.

I plan to avoid the "What can I eat next" question with a big glass of water and a stick of gum (if needed).  Initially, I decided on just the piece of gum (or a brush of the teeth), but the thought of eating an egg and toast followed closely with minty-fresh chewing gum grosses me out.  Maybe the glass of water will be enough, but I'm armed and ready, if the need for further distraction arises.

Yesterday: Pictures of Food; Today: Schedule It

Yesterday's goal was to take pictures of my food before eating it.  It's something that has been suggested by others, but not something I have ever tried.  I did succeed in following through on this goal, all for you, my loves.  I must say, I grew tired of doing this and definitely would not have stuck with it had it not been specifically tagged as my goal for the day.  So, I allowed a loophole - if it had no points, I didn't have to photograph it.  The no point foods in Weight Watchers are fruits, most vegetables, and diet soda or other items with zero calories.  The fact that I did not have to photograph something did have the effect of making it a more appealing choice to me.  If you are a fanatic facebooker or instagram person, I imagine you would not have found photos of food so cumbersome, but I think, whether you like pictures or not, this tactic does improve mindfulness.

In addition, this tactic reduces the tendency for "selective memory".  As an experiment, I attempted to remember the food I had eaten and to track it this morning.  I planned to splurge for this day, and splurge I did.  Even with attempts to eat healthy, such as picking chicken and salad for the main course, and dutifully removing the (delicious) skin, I had a staggering number of points.  I remembered these healthy choices, and a few of the less healthy ones, but I missed the smigde of bacon and pea pasta salad, a helping of chips, and one beer.  This totaled 13 points, about half my daily allowance in one day!

I will definitely have to focus on food this week.  Weight Watchers allows up to 49 points a week of splurges, and I have only 11 points remaining!

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By the way, the purpose of this party was to reveal the gender of my (second to*) next family member.  My sister is having a GIRL!  I am so excited to be an Aunt to to meet my first niece in January!
* (My brother is getting married in November, so the next family member, technically, is another future aunt.)

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I almost forgot TODAY's goal!  Today's challenge is that it is Sunday.  It seems to happen every week, and not that I am complaining, but, I spend many Sundays at home in my kitchen.  I work at my kitchen table, I buy food and put it in my kitchen, and I prepare food for the week in the kitchen.  As such, I eat. As soon as I think to myself, "What shall I do next?" and devilish little voice chimes in and says, "Eat something!"

So today's goal is to write out a little schedule for the day.  When I wonder what to do next, I'll look at my list, pick something, and do that thing.  I will eat, but not until it is time to eat, or I am truly and honestly hungry.