Hey all,

Well I am back from a well-deserved vacation. I completed my year one exams (wow, were they challenging! Phew!) in Massage Therapy and went up to the cottage in northern Ontario for a whole week.. Beautiful up there! CLEAN air and GREAT weather. Did NOTHING...Loved it. Well I did swim and canoe...hehe.

Up there I ate like I normally do, low carb tortillas with chicken, lots of veggies, salads with yummy salad dressings... I believe that a vacation happens so infrequently that I lived it up a bit. I always see people on this forum so scared after they have had a treat now and again. I have a totally different way of looking at the "treat" dilemma.

"Treats" are just that. "Treats". What that means in my mind is that I can have them once in awhile because that is life. If I have them a few times a year, I can really appreciate them. Allow me to expand on my new way of eating... The mentality behind what I am saying.

Like I said before on this web board, I will NOT weigh myself hourly, daily or weekly.. I can't.... I will weigh myself once a month, maybe even every 2 months. I want to lose this weight (I have only 15 left to go) very slowly so that I can adapt to eating this way and so that I can enjoy myself without wondering what the numbers say on that scale. I know that if I keep exercising, watching my portion sizes and eating until I am satisfied not stuffed that I WILL lose weight. It may be slow, but it will eventually come off. I will never look like a supermodel. I have accepted that. My body is not like theirs. It is mine, and God gave me this healthy body to live....I am lucky in life that I have no serious health problems and I can walk up a flight of stairs with minimal effort. This is all due to my slow weight loss. Psychologically I can live without being so obsessed with my weight (like I used to be). I am not like everyone however, and if this rant helps even ONE person not to feel so guilty about having something, a treat, once in awhile I will be happy. It happens!!! Vacations happen!

This holiday was AWESOME! Relaxing and really fun! I did watch what I ate out of habit (AMAZING!!) but I did have some treats without guilt. I had some maple fudge (enough to satisfy the sweet tooth), some low carb beers on the dock by the silent lake, and I endulged in a few chips while watching a movie by a raging fire... I didn't gorge, but I did appreciate that these foods are TREATS! It felt good to eat them, and I had CONTROL while eating them. I don't consider this a cheat at all. I consider it as having a treat once in a blue moon. I did however REALLY appreciate the taste because I don't have them all the time. It also didn't initiate any cravings because I truly believed at the time that they were treats and I could have a LITTLE BIT to get a feel for the taste. Hehe.

A treat is a treat! I had a wonderful holiday!!! I will not weigh myself until I get out of holiday mode. Hehe. If I gained a bit, who cares...It will come off again when I get back to my hectic student life. Wow, did I need that holiday.

I know everyone cannot do this. I appreciate that, some treats do trigger massive carb cravings in some people. I also understand that some people just cannot have one treat, that they struggle with control issues... But I just wanted to share my holiday experience and way of thinking on this journey to better health. Also, if one REALLY slips off this WOE, they shouldn't feel so guilty. Life is all about learning from our mistakes and I hope they can get right back in there and start again. it doesn't take long for you to feel better and guilt free again.

I hope all is well. I am going to moisturize my lovely tan now. Hehe.

-Krystyne

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Start - May 7th, 2004, 175/157/145



http://hockeygirl34.blogspot.com

Krystyne-Hooray for you getting thru those exams! You earned that vacation! As far as the treats go, that's a YMMV (your mileage may vary) issue. Depending on the treat, sometimes I gain, sometimes not.

Cravings are tough, some more than others. It's what a person chooses to do about them that matters. Before, when I craved Krispy Kreme's, I would do some B.S. justifying in my mind, and eat them. Now, I talk myself out of it. This past Friday, I woke up hungry with donuts on my mind. I'm not sure what triggered it, (I keep a food journal, I could look for culprits there) but that's beside THIS point about the cravings. I had almost decided to throw caution to the wind, when I just said "NO, I won't do it. I'll be bloated, lethargic, sleepy, and mad at myself. Then, tomorrow, I get to see the gain on the scale. Forget it. A few minutes of pleasure is certainly not worth that." I drove right past the place like I do every day. (They're across the street from us.)

The fact that you chose to have a few treats on holiday is just that: your choice. The fact that you don't see it them as cheats, only occasional treats, shows that you have accepted the fact that they HAVE to be occasional and you're fine with that. A level of low carb maturity, so to speak.

Some people get off track after a treat. Some don't. For some it's something they can do once a week. For some, they just can't do it at all. Like I said: YMMV.

You know what Krystyne can handle better than anyone here. Bravo for you, seeing the big picture and enjoying yourself, knowing that you were in control.

We all make choices. Some are easier than others.

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Thanks Maxibee! It took a while to get to this point where crappy food choices don't rule over me. Now I can look at these things as occasional food choices without guilt. YAY!

Good for you too, driving past the donut place! YAHOO! SOunds like you are all over this way of life too!

Cheers,
Krystyne

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Start - May 7th, 2004, 175/157/145



http://hockeygirl34.blogspot.com

Krystyne, that is great, and very much the way I feel about this WOL, although I find "treats" fewer and further between because I simply do not DESIRE them any more - I have things I LOVE on this WOE that I consider a treat now, like low carb cheesecake or Maggie's biscotti. Those to me are now treats because I cannot eat THEM daily either, or I will gain due to the calorie increase!

I know, too, that some people, like my DH, simply cannot indulge in even a TASTE of some things or it triggers a binge and then the resultant weight gain, guilt, and anger at one's own self. Sad but true.

It's nice and best to know your own limitations and to live within them - congrats to you for knowing yours!

Char

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Veni, vidi, velcro. I came, I saw, I stuck around.

Save the Earth - it's the only planet with CHOCOLATE!

Krystyne,
It sounds like you have found what works for you, and that is great. The key to success, really, is finding out how to fine-tune your woe to something you can live with forever, and it is obvious you have done just that. Congratulations!!
I am so happy you had a great vacation; you earned it after all your hard work.
{{hugs}},

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Sounds like you had a great time. I applaud your attitude. I'm the type right now that one chip would lead to a bag and one piece of fudge would lead to a pan. I hope some day to get to the place where I can have treats.

I'm glad you're doing well. That silent lake sounded heavenly.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Krystyne - oh you sound so refreshed!! I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation. You're right, too many over stress and then ruin their time off. Welcome back!!

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when life hands you lemons, order lobster!