Posted on November 11, 2014

Live in the Moment

Anyone that knows me fairly well knows I can eat. When I say eat I mean I CAN EAT! I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in a family of people who know how/love to cook, and own amaze ball recipes. Because of this, food tends to be the central part of any big celebration. Christmas, Easter, thanksgiving, birthdays, summer patio parties, graduations, you name it we go BIG with the food. Well this lovely lifestyle of extreme cakes, cupcakes, meatballs, creamed corn, cookies, and every other heart-clogging food item, has carried over into my daily life as well. I’ve formed many habits surrounding junk food. When my family watches movies at home we always get candy and popcorn. When I am feeling depressed I temporarily fix my sadness with sugary sweets. I’ve gotten to a point in my life where I can’t just end my food intake for the day at the dinner table. I have realized that every night I am craving something sweet to end the night with.

By participating in this challenge I am forced to be living in the moment and consciously be aware of my eating habits. Usually I will mindlessly look throughout the fridge and cabinets, at 10pm, for the sweetness I crave. BUT I made baby steps tonight. I had an amazing quinoa and squash dinner with a side of asparagus (recipe anyone?), but I had a dilemma. My lovely mother brought home pumpkin pie from the store. I did think about sneaking a piece saying to myself “ eh, it’s only the first day of the bet. I have 27 more days to lose that 4%.” I realized that if I was going to avoid this pumpkin pie, and the cyclical thinking that came with it, I was going to have to fight through my urges and be conscious until I put myself to bed. Well, everyone I have successfully avoided the pumpkin pie, and for this first time in my life I had a COMPLETELY successful first day at trying to change my not so sweet habits. If you are suffering from something similar I encourage you to be conscious of your actions because most of the time we are so used to grabbing for the tub of ice cream we don’t even realize what we are doing until half the tub is gone.

Stay Strong. Fight for what you deserve.

- Madeleine

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
― Henry David Thoreau

Comment Now!

Staci W.

11/11/2014 7:29PM

I have always wanted to be around a family that is just amazing in the kitchen -- one that's passionate about enjoying food. It sounds wonderful, but I can imagine your struggle. On only the second day of the contest I now know why the weight crept up on me like it did: I was eating a little of this and a little of that ALL DAY. I've been very conscious of how much I am not eating now!

You can do this -- saying no to the first tempting treat means you can say no to all of them. But you could allow yourself a little something just to take the sweet edge off. I like 1/2c plain, 0 fat Greek yogurt with about 1/4c berries and a few (or 3) packets of Truvia.

Oh, and I would love to have that recipe!

Madeleine C. likes this comment.

Madeleine C.

Yes I am on the hunt for some healthy snacks! Thank you so much for the suggestion. And I will get that recipe up for you ASAP :D

summerdresses

11/11/2014 6:53PM

I can relate! It is all about the choices we make at 'that moment'. I am guilty of listening to my little voices of denial about sweets and it always starts me down a path of unhealthy choices. I thought by joining the Diet Bet it would be easy to give up sweets but I am learning that it isn't nearly as easy as I thought! It is a pretty strong addiction.

Madeleine C. likes this comment.

Joelly M.

11/11/2014 6:35PM

This is beautiful!!! I am still struggling with sweets. What you said is true, to live in the moment and catch ourselves before the hand reach the cookie jar. :D