SIDE NOTE: This post had accidently been deleted awhile ago, however one of my FABULOUS reader’s (thanks Linda) had it still on her Google Reader so she sent it to me!! YAY! Enjoy this post a few days late
Today is Father’s Day! I woke up mid-morning and got ready to drive to Raleigh for a supper with my dad, uncle, grandpa, aunts and cousins! My morning meal included a Clif Bar.
After I munched I packed up the pups and was on my way! My contribution to the meal was bringing munchies for appetizers. I brought Trader Joes Blue Corn Tortilla chips with TJ’s Mild Salsa. I also added some Newman’s Own Organic Protein Pretzels and Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies. I had a grilled chicken salad for lunch so by the time dinner rolled around I was hungry! I snacked a lot these guys (a bit too much!).
Dinner was very yummy and actually very healthy! We had grilled chicken I brought some tabuli I got at Whole Foods (it wasn’t the best, could have used a little more Olive Oil), green beans, roll, and pasta salad!
Dessert is where we all got in trouble! Kris got the most delicious custard cake from Goodberrys. The crust was brownies! AHH! I had a HUGE pieces thanks to grandpas grande cutting skills, and then I went back for a smaller piece!
Usually around a Harrison family dinner we come up with topics of discussion, most though involve politics or government. Tonight however, an interesting topic of conversation was brought up by my uncle Dan. We were all indulging in a delicious cake and as I was eating my second piece, he mentioned that eating this cake was our “reward” or “cheat meal”. I told him that I did not believe in using food as your “reward” for a week of eating right and exercising. I knew that tonight’s dinner would include some sort of dessert (it usually does at a Harrison dinner) so I took that into consideration in my food choices today. Breakfast was a Clif Bar, lunch was a salad with grilled chicken and dinner included a variety of healthy choices. The cake I ate (yes BOTH pieces) wasn’t a reward for anything I’ve done, it was simply part of today’s food choices. I knew that I was going to be indulging my sweet tooth tonight so I made room for it in my diet. I know that tomorrow I’ll be right on track with my eating habits and that I’m allowed to have treats for myself throughout the week so there is no need to “reward” myself and I won’t overindulge. Tonight’s second piece was because the cake was suuuuuuper good, was it the best decision? absolutely not but I won’t beat myself up about it because I know I am disciplined enough to get right back on track and just move on from it.
People who struggle with eating may not be able to easily get right back on track. You can’t just eat a piece of cake or a large fries without having emotions about it afterwards. After a week long of eating right and exercising and feeling good about yourself, why would you want to reward yourself with the same foods you’ve worked so hard to avoid in order to be healthy? After all, isn’t it those fried, sugary, high calorie, fatty foods that got us in trouble in the first place? Why have a free for all one day or one meal of these bad foods? Would you give a person who is trying to quit smoking a cigarette as a “reward” for not smoking? No right? Then why would you do it with food?
There are a million different ways to reward yourself. If you feel you’ve had a great week and have stayed right on track with your nutrition and exercise, why not get a manicure? or a massage? or even get some new clothes, won’t it be reward enough when you go to try on new clothes and find the size you used to wear is just a bit too loose? Only you can decide what’s more important, having that double stack burger, or feeling great about your body, your health and overall happiness.
In the lasted issue of Shape Magazine (July 2009 pg 25) they have a great little blurb titled “8 Reasons to Start Loving Your Body Today” I really enjoyed reading this and I wanted to share with all of you:
- BECAUSE it’s unique; no one else has the same one
- BECAUSE it’s capable of extraordinary feats, enabling you to run, climb, jump, lift, squat, snuggle and spoon
- BECAUSE no matter how badly you treat it, it’s willing to give you another chance
- BECAUSE it’s expressive tell you how it feels (pay attention!) and broadcasting to others how you feel about it
- BECAUSE let’s face it, confidence is sexy
- BECAUSE your daughter must learn to love her
- BECAUSE somebody out there (or many somebodies!) admires, covets and adores it
- BECAUSE you’ll regret not loving it more later
