Managing Expectations

A full week after completing RESET, I've kept the weight off that I lost through the process.  I managed this even with 2 cookouts for Memorial Day, a dinner out with family AND a graduation party, all inside of 7 days.  I ate, I drank alcohol, and my exercise consisted mostly of chores and errands prepping for Saturday's festivities. Did I lost more weight?  No.  Did I expect to? No.  Last week I was focused on survival, and for the first time in a long series of attempts at losing weight, survival mode did not negatively impact my progress.

Because of this, I had a minor (or major) epiphany that it is really important to keep realistic expectations for ourselves, otherwise we just feel run down and beat down, and it is our own fault. I knew this past week would be difficult, so I kept it real.  I didn't forbid any food for myself, but I did try to make choices in line with my new set of goals and expectations.  That worked pretty well for me.  And when I did have something that wasn't as excellent as I would have liked, I didn't beat myself up over it either.

Throughout this week I was presented with many opportunities to slip back into my old lifestyle.  A few times I did indulge in foods that I would now consider less than excellent, and I had some interesting responses.

1. First, I had a brownie.  A brownie...meaning one (1) brownie.  It was ok, not awesome, and I certainly did not want 37 more.  That is a MAJOR change for me.  I love sugar, I love chocolate, and brownies are chocolate sugar perfection.  Or at least they were.  
2. I also had some Gatorade while out golfing.  I've never been a big fan of Gatorade, but I had the fruit punch flavor because it was hot and I was out of water.  And it was gross.  It tasted like some sort of chemical concoction, and after a few sips, I opted to wait until I could get some water rather than to continue drinking it.  
3. I also did not eat from the bread basket at dinner Friday night.  I didn't even think twice when the waitress sat the warm, sourdough bread down in front of me, and the only time I touched the basket was to hand it off to someone else at the table. 
4. I did not purposely try to avoid soda during RESET week, but I found myself not wanting it so much, and that has continued this week.  I've had a Diet Dr. Pepper here and there, but nothing like before.  I don't even think I am craving the caffeine or anything.  And I was someone that would have accepted a marriage proposal from Dr. Pepper without a second thought.

Yet another positive side effect from RESET is that the sensitivity I was experiencing in my teeth is mostly gone.  I am really impressed with that, but  I suppose it only makes sense that if you eat too much sugar your teeth hurt. I still don't care for really cold beverages, but things that before I would be extremely careful about letting hit my teeth directly have little affect now.

After a week, I am still feeling empowered to keep making great choices.  I also don't feel guilty for eating a brownie, drinking a glass of wine or having a few bites of buffalo chicken dip.  A little bit of each of those was enough for me, and that really felt good.  I think I am finally running this show instead of the food.