Giving in to Cravings

Or, more accurately at the moment, not giving in to cravings. The day has become suddenly bleak -- and I really don't know if that has anything to do with it or not -- and I find myself certain I can't live without cheesecake, pudding, cookies, peanut-butter-filled dark chocolate squares, and so many other foods I rarely eat. So I'm trying to figure out why sometimes it's easier not to give in to the cravings than others. I make a point of not bringing "empty-calorie" types of food into the house. I figure if I decide I really have to have it, at least I'll need to expend the calories to go get it -- not always a total offset, but often a deterrent.

Tonight I'm hanging tough. I know I won't go to the store to get any of the above-listed items, or anything else. I made a batch of my healthy brownies (with applesauce instead of oil) and in a little while I'll have one of those with fresh blackberries and Reddi-whip (just a dab). I've made this once before and it was delicious, almost like a restaurant dessert. One generous serving has barely two hundred calories, and the added benefit of fresh fruit.

One reason it's easier for me these days to avoid foods I know aren't good choices for me is that I have worked so hard to get this weight off. I don't want to risk putting back on even a pound. That thought is foremost in my mind as I choose what I eat, and I don't mean just craved treats but everything. I don't obsess about it, but I do think about how much fat, carbs, and protein is in each food I eat. One of the best things Weight Watchers did for me was to remind me that nutrition and exercise are choices, not just what I choose but also whether I choose to monitor it and make concessions. In other words, what's more important: getting in a few minutes of exercise and avoiding processed foods, or lazing around and/or gorging on whatever food appeals to me with no thought of its effects on my body? I would say the former, but I get it if not everyone makes that choice. It's really hard, especially when weight loss/fitness seem to be taking forever!

There are still times when I eat something less than healthy. However, I think hard about it, and even before I indulge I'm already thinking of trade-offs in my "food budget" to balance things out. This is working for me, and I'm not going to let five minutes (or less) of enjoying any food take away from that. At least, not tonight.