To Cheat or Not to Cheat...

To Cheat or Not to Cheat...

I have kept a food journal of everything I have eaten in my "Whole30 Day by Day" book.  Not because Whole30 requires me to, but because I wanted to have something to refer back to for my blog entries.  With each day, the book provides a synopsis of what to expect for the day, motivation and inspiration, FAQs, tips, hacks, extra credit and then some questions to answer.  The questions include documenting what went well that day, what could have gone better, what I'll do tomorrow, etc.  Most days my response to what could have gone better is that I should have snacked less.  I then follow that with a response to what I'll do tomorrow by stating I will change my habits and reduce and/or eliminate snacking altogether.  However, the next day comes and goes and I still find myself snacking just as the day before.  When I say I snack, that doesn't mean I am eating out of the lines of Whole30.  I typically resort to a Larabar, pickle, carrot chips, dates, nuts or olives.  Nonetheless, it is still a snack which Whole30 stresses one should eliminate after Week 1 when your body has somewhat adjusted.  

As many of you know, I spend most evenings alone due to being married to an emergency apparatus  salesman (fancy lingo for fire truck/ambulance salesman).  Most would think that would make this whole experience easier as I can cook for myself and make compliant food without having to worry about what Mike will or will not eat.  However, being home alone also means having a kitchen full of noncompliant food (Mike's food) with no watchful eyes to prevent me from cheating.  This leaves me to rely on my own strength, willpower and motivation to keep me from wanting to eat those potato chips or have just one slice of cheese to satisfy my occasional craving.  Any time I feel the slightest desire to want to eat anything noncompliant, I remind myself of the quote "What you eat in private you wear in public."  This quote is so true and brings me the strength I need to get through those difficult times where my mind tries to convince me to break the good habits I am building!

I worked late a few evenings this week where I was alone in my department.  At one time, I found myself walking past the candy jar and staring at the Snickers bars.  This again was a moment I could have easily cheated without having someone there to shame me for my lack of self-control.  Instead, I went straight to the mini fridge in our department and grabbed my trusty bag of dates.  It is a choice such as this which saves me from experiencing guilt, defeat and the sense of total abandonment on this Whole30 journey.  I hope after these 30 days are up, I can continue to demonstrate this very same control and make healthy food choices when chocolate stares me in the face.  It is during those difficult moments I will turn to this blog to remind me how strong I am capable of being and the power good food choices bring.

Today marks Day 18!  Just 12 days of my second round of Whole30 to go.  In addition to good weather, I am praying for less snacking and another weekend of Whole30 compliance with a planned trip to Beatrice.  Traveling means more meals to pack and temptations to avoid.  Let the fun continue!!!