5/11 Something to think about...

[Billie]

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong.
The amount of effort is the same."

*Carlos Castenada

For me it really takes more effort to be weak on some days than strong. What a pleasant change that is! :) My staff, are lunch time transfats, carb laden, no veggies or fruit, bring on the grease and fries kind of people. On those occasions when I join them for lunch it is just so easy to order a salad with salmon or chicken. Yesterday we went out and I ordered a prime rib sandwich, took off the bread, got a side salad instead of fries. It doesn't take much effort and certainly we know the amount of effort it takes to get healthy. These wonderful people who I dearly love are great at their jobs but lousy at health matters. I have had speakers come in, free health and blood work, given them release time for the gym, asked them not to bring in baked goods into the office, so it either had to get easier for me, or I knew my efforts would take me down the wrong path.

Where are you on the scale? Is it easier for you to make a positive effort for health? Have you gotten that far yet in your acceptance that this is a long time life time deal? Do you have days when it's easy to fall in line with the "group"? One day of good eating seems to lead to two and then five and then 10 for me.

Hope your effort today pays off big dividends, for certainly You are worth it!

Have a great day!

It's about mind set so much of the time.

[Missy]

I feel for all of you in working situations that expose you to temptations daily. I don't know how you do it!

I'm grateful right now that I can feel "safe" in my "safe zone" at home right now to tackle this problem....because I don't know if I could remain strong in a surrounded situation.

Thank goodness that you have this support group to come to to help you keep the faith!!!

HUGS TO YOU ALL!!!

[Shadow]

What a great quote, Billie! And yeah for you on the good eating :)! I, too, find that one good day leads to two, which leads to ten, etc. Sometimes it seems if we can just buck up for that one day, it gets much easier from there. Just like with exercise ;)!

[cmcole]

Good health and exercising is addicting. I find it easier to try and evaluate how to change a restaurant order (if I find myself in that position) than to just cave in and order it.

In fact, recently I was working overtime and brought my lunch, but the two guys wanted me to come out with them. Well, I thought I could just have a salad or something (like most restaurants offer), but we went to a sandwich & bagel place. For a few minutes I was in a little quandry, but then I looked and saw options:

Bacon & egg on a bagel - just leave out the bagel, please
Any number of "hard meat" sandwiches (turkey, ham, etc.) - no bread, please
A couple of salad offerings

I opted for the "vegetarian sandwich" minus the bread (which got a strange look from the server) - just put it on a plate (like they would if it were a sandwich, anyway).

We travelled across the continent in 2004, having been forced to move because of my husband's job. My family got used to me being exceedingly picky about my food and asking questions about its ingredients and preparation.

Now, the question my hubby asks, especially when we go to a food court, is "what place are you going to drive crazy today?"

It should soon be his turn to do so, as he is supposed to be careful because of elevated blood sugar levels. We'll see how that goes.

[hawk]

Some days it is hard. But I have so many allergies that it's not worth giving in to the temptation. I ordered cheesburger soup from a local take out place that supposedly makes it homemade. Half hour later I had a crushing headache at work . MSG? I have no idea.Or yellow #5? Artificial cheese? It's scarey to eat out. Salad at McDonalds one time gave me hives all over the inside of my mouth and inside my throat. Sometimes seemingly healthy stuff just isn't. Seems I can't win for losing.
Does it all make me strong? Well, I can work while I have a headache and smile and act like I am fine. No one has any idea.As soon as I'm out of the public eye, I want to get hit by a truck. My husband tries to talk me into quiting, but I love the people. I enjoy making them smile.
Today I woke up with a very intense headache in the back of my head. I didn't want to open my eyes,but I had to open the Y at 5. I get there at 4:30 and open for the firefighters and policemen (don't get paid till 5) but it's such a small thing for me and a big deal for them to be able to work out before work. They appreciate it. So I do it. I get the beans all counted and the bank drop ready before 6 am and then I have time to greet and be friendly with more people. I think they need that as much as they need to work out.

[gitfiddle]

Thank goodness that you have this support group to come to to help you keep the faith!!!
You said it, Missy! I have a pretty standard plan to eating out and it usually involves chicken caesar salad (which almost everyone seems to carry). I am SO sick of chicken caesar salad, no croutons please. It's actually a treat to go somewhere that has another option.

I have to watch the "Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired" frame of mind. Sometimes I go in with good intentions and lose my grip. There's a bread place that I would avoid because there was little that I could choose from, and I love bread, so I'd sit and feel sorry for myself. Now they've come out with a beef, bleu cheese, walnut mixed greens salad that just blows me away and it's not a problem to refuse the bread or give it to somebody else to take home.

I am blessed in co-workers, though. When the secretary plans the food for a staff dinner, she always runs the menu past me and asks if there's something there I can eat. I really appreciate that!

[Missy]

cmcole wrote :
Now, the question my hubby asks, especially when we go to a food court, is "what place are you going to drive crazy today?"
LOL!!! GOOD ONE!!! I can relate, as I find I'm full of questions these days too...much to my husband shigrin...lol Ususally he's pleased with himself because he's prepared to spout out his order BEFORE she has to ask the questions...as he begins with, "I'll be easier then her" :rolleyes: ....thank you dear....:suspicious:

Gitfiddle wrote:
I am SO sick of chicken caesar salad, no croutons please. ~ I thought I was the ONLY one doing that! My "thing" seems to be a chef's salad, no croutons, no beets, no onions(just because they are too strong) and I usually talk them into an additional egg! :D :rolleyes: ~but that's only when we go out, which hasn't been all that often.

I know my problem right now is just to make sure I don't get carried away with something..and stay "safe"...I'll expand choices when I get more comfortable doing this woe.

But, I feel for you all that face this day after day. Try to think to yourself the positive "voices" of your fellow PP board friends encouraging you in the right way. I think that helps.