Category Archives: Temptation

Oct 12 2014
3 Comments
Health, Temptation, Weight Loss

Time

One day at a time

One thing is for sure, time marches on.
Being a nostalgic, too-attached person, this fact can make me a bit weepy. But in reality, I view it as a wonderful thing. And it’s especially great news for weight loss. One day turns into another, into another, into a week, two weeks, a month, and before you know it a year is gone, and hopefully as well, a bunch of weight to go with it!

That’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. As you know, my goal is to be under 150 lbs. by the time I turn 50 next July.  I’ve pretty much settled into this wholesome way of eating now. Even the gluten-free part is a piece of cake (lol). The sugar and flour are out of my house, I visit our local farm two or three times a week, and I’m a label reader. Better yet, I hardly ever have cravings! I have no desire to eat any other way. And so, if I can keep it up, the weight will continue to drop, and time will march on. In some twisted way, I am looking forward to my birthday like as if it’s my due date!

Being a teacher, a “year” is really a condensed, carefully plotted and planned ten months. There are always these smaller increments of time we are marching towards–first day of school, back-to-school night, Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, February break, April vacation, Memorial Day, last day of school, SUMMER! It’s a whirlwind. And this year, I am so much looking forward to a healthier, more vibrant ME as I transform myself over the course of this school year.

But the season of sugar is fast-approaching. What is your plan for staying healthy throughout the onslaught of temptation over the next few months? I for one, plan to keep the candy out. I want to make a plan with my son for Halloween. I’m thinking something along the lines of paying him cash for candy. I won’t be getting any trick-or-treaters as we live on a street where the houses are few and far between, so no pressure there. Thanksgiving will be much more tempting for me. I figure it’s prudent to have a plan and it’s time to start thinking about it. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Have a great Columbus Day weekend.
I think I’ll put on a pot of soup this beautiful Autumn Sunday.

 

 

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Jul 23 2014
2 Comments
Temptation

“When the Student is Ready, the Teacher will Appear.”

 

Artifical Sweetener

Yesterday, my teacher appeared in the form of a packet of artificial sweetener.

While running some errands I got a hankering for an iced coffee.  Somewhat of a coffee snob, I especially enjoy a hot, dark roast coffee.  But in the heat of the summer sun, iced coffee was calling me.  For some reason, even though I don’t put sugar in my hot coffee, when it’s cold, I like it sweet.  So as I made my way to the coffee shop, daydreaming about my mid-day treat, I realized that I’d have to pass on the packet of Equal.  And I should probably skip the cream (I’ve been drinking it black the last few weeks), as well.  Nevermind that I haven’t yet convinced myself of the adverse effects of coffee in and of itself. My internal dialogue went something like this: “A packet of Equal can’t be all that bad.”  And, “Calorie-wise, it’s fine!”  And finally (my pathetic favorite), “You deserve it!”

I got cranky. By the time I reached the cashier, I was all twisted inside. And then, like a bolt of lightning, I realized that this is how it happens. This is how I get from drinking warm lemon water every morning, to nibbling munchkins in the faculty room.  These seemingly little choices reflect a mindset, and that mindset either leads me to better health or instant gratification.  I can eat anything I want, ANYTHING!

So which is it? What do I want to eat?!? What does my body need (and deserve!)?

When the server asked me what I’d like, I replied, “Small, black coffee, please.”  I sipped that coffee for the rest of the day, and  felt grateful for the choice I made. While I’m not so sure about the negative effect of a packet of artificial sweetener, I am very sure of the positive impact my choice for health had on the rest of my day.

And that is Why it Matters.

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