Sometimes the hurdles are good

I don’t want to be super click-baity, so I’ll tell you first that this week, I lost…4.2 pounds. Boom. Now you don’t have to keep reading if you just wanted the end result. Because now I’m going to tell you how I did it.

Not easily.

And here’s what I learned about that.

As you remember from my last entry, I kind of had a free-for-all with my friends, but I was determined not to let that derail me. It was important to let that weekend go, and start fresh with good choices. But it was hard. I felt tempted at every turn.

I worked at the Ronald McDonald House this weekend and unlike my February weekend, I felt restless and hungry. During my February weekend, I hardly thought about eating the goodies. This past weekend, I felt like I was constantly punching the throat of the devil on my shoulder who told me to eat.

But what I learned is that this isn’t really a bad thing. This is LIFE—and we all know life's not always easy. Sometimes our journeys are going to be difficult. Maybe it’s one day, or one week or one month, or even longer that just seems more challenging. But I think that those harder times when I feel most tempted are the times when I learn how strong I am. Hell, if it was always easy, we’d all be at our happiest and healthiest weights without even trying. And for most of us, that's just not the case.

So this weekend I gave in a little. I had a brownie. I had a cookie. But I didn’t let it stop me from making healthy choices 85 percent of the time—and the scale was nice to me as a result.

Challenges aren’t always bad things. In fact, in most cases, the opposite is true. Seeing that 4-pound loss today, and knowing I plowed through some real temptations, made that victory even sweeter.

Tuesday bonus photo

After Weight Watchers, I decided to go to Willy’s for lunch. For those not in the metro Atlanta area, Willy’s is similar to a Moe’s or Chipotle. I got a bowl with a little rice, some steak, a pinch of cheese and a few other things. I was very mindful of what I chose, despite having a good weigh-in.

They also give you chips with your meal. Uh-oh. That’s what gets me into trouble. But I know this—and knowledge is power. So I dutifully counted out 10 chips (10 big ones, duh) and crumbled up the rest. Except you know what else I've learned? I’d still grab that bag out of the garbage and eat those pieces. I learned that lesson a long time ago. So I squirted some lotion in the bag, crumbled it again and threw it away. Maybe I need to tell Gold Bond about a new way to advertise their product?

No regrets. But a big reminder.

So I’ve been trudging along with my weight loss, which is, quite frankly, going slower than I’d like. I think I can chalk that up to a couple of reasons. I’m older than I was last time around—even a few years might make a difference. I’m also not weight training like I was the first time around—something I hope to amend that soon.

But last week, it’s no surprise why loss didn’t happen.

I ate all the things.

I had friends come into town this weekend. The first thing we did was grab breakfast after I picked them up from the airport. I did great! Omelet. Small side of grits. I was off to a fantastic start.

But it started declining quickly. We went to the World of Coke. I let myself try a few of the Cokes in the tasting room (um, despite giving up soda for Lent), and I swear, I haven’t had that much sugar in a month or so. I felt gross.

And then it kept going. Dinner—let’s get an appetizer AND dessert (this was me saying this, by the way). And the next day—same thing.

Here’s a little something I’ve learned about indulgence along the way. It’s perfectly OK sometimes. Sure, have dessert every once in a while. Don’t deny yourself a piece of cake on your birthday. Live a little.

But be prepared when it comes back to smack you in the booty. I felt horrible this week, physically, anyway. Mentally, I told myself it was OK that I had a little bit of a crazy food weekend—as long as it didn't turn into more than that. I gained 1.8, which isn’t devastating, and I’m hard core back on track this week.

It’s strange. Even though I gained a little this week, I still feel like the way I handled it was a small victory for my emotions. I didn't beat myself up. I don't have tremendous regrets about the weekend. I moved on. But I moved on with a great reminder of how much better I feel when I'm taking care of myself, food-wise.

This weekend? I’m back at The Ronald. And I intend to crush it.