Wednesday, July 27, 2016

When Baked Goods Attack

I've mentioned my journey to get healthy, to lose weight - most recently here, where I talk about my love/hate relationship with the "dreadmill." Overall, I'm doing pretty well - exercising more, eating better, etc.

But.

It's all just going . . . very . . .  slowly. Even the tortoises are faster than my weight loss. And when the going gets tough . . . the giant chunk of yellow cake with fudge icing starts calling. (Or is that just me?)

Now, I'm all for moderation, for having a piece of pie or a scoop of ice cream now and then. But it's one thing for me to make that choice; it's another for a thick slice of cheesecake to do it for me.

So, not only does this mantra make me laugh -

YOU'VE COME TOO FAR TO TAKE ORDERS
FROM A COOKIE.
(Unknown)

It also reminds me of all I've accomplished so far, and all I can - and will! - achieve.

What do you tell yourself to keep going while on a difficult journey, weight loss or otherwise? How do you stay motivated when the going gets rough? What's your favorite dessert? (Hey, I can dream, can't I?) 

28 comments:

  1. Don't let the cookie win! Keep at it. If it's coming off slow, don't worry. Slow is better than dropping a bunch at once, because it will come back just as fast.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that mantra! When it comes to diets, distraction is the best motivator. If I can keep my mind on something else, the pangs go away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally laughed out loud when I first came across it.

      I find that if I still crave something after a good chunk of time, like a few days days, then I let myself have it or a smaller portion of it.

      Delete
  3. I haven't heard that quote before, but I might have to alter it and use it on the boss when she says she shouldn't eat something and then eats it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I alter it myself, depending on what's doing the bossing around - cheese, chocolate, etc. :)

      Delete
  4. I love desserts, so I'm the wrong person to ask. I definitely struggle with my goal to be fit and healthier, for the exact reason as you. It takes so long. I think if you have a tiny slice of cheesecake, it shouldn't be too bad, as long as you still exercise and drink plenty of water. I feel your pain, though. You can do it! Don't give up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to remind myself that most things worth doing are hard and take awhile. Writing, anyone? :)

      You can do it, too! And don't you give up either.

      Delete
  5. Honestly, the only way I ca avoid eating things I shouldn't is to just not have them in the house. I admire you if you can do that. I just have to make it as hard as possible for myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear you! I keep small treats on hand, but if I want cake or something bigger like that, off to the store it is.

      Delete
    2. I like to bake, so I'm always in danger! We've instituted a one-night-a-week rule for desserts, as the spouse and I both move into a stage of life where weight tends to creep on. On the other hand: when we are backpacking, it's dessert every night, and chocolate with lunch. Hauling a pack over mountain trails earns it :)

      Delete
    3. It's a good thing I don't bake!

      And I totally think you earn those desserts. :)

      Delete
  6. Slow and steady is better than losing quickly, because you'll regain. And that, too, won't be your choice, just basic biology.

    My slow and steady journey has been increasing the number of pull-ups and press ups I can do - I've been around the same numbers for a while now. How do I keep going? By telling myself I can do more now than when I started.

    Same for you - you weigh less now that you did :-) Keep it up, you're doing well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Annalisa! I have dropped some pounds, and I'm proud of that. I have a lot more to go, but I'm not focusing on that right now. Too daunting! :o

      Delete
  7. Perfect mantra! I need to remember that one too. I am starting on a similar journey as I have been so careless about healthy eating and exercise lately. I swear I am going to do better for the rest of the year, so here's hoping I can stay strong against the bossy cookie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think walking around Paris probably burned a good chunk of calories! Enough to balance out the croissants? Hmmm....

      If I can do it, Julie, then so can you! :)

      Delete
  8. I'm in the same boat. The summer has been a bit of a challenge eating-wise, but I'm more active in the summer, so it balances out a little.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm more active when it gets cooler (Fall/Winter) here in FL. Summer is almost like hibernation time. With air conditioning. :)

      Delete
  9. I'm struggling with this, too. I struggle with desserts, but I also just struggle with the daily stuff - too big of portions, too much honey in my coffee. I'm cutting back on coffee so I don't have too much honey. :) And, the corner store calls me - it used to be my "unexpected chocolate or soda" place - except I started expecting it regularly. I tell myself I can drive by, I can just drive by, and not stop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never thought to put honey in my coffee! I used to take milk and sugar, but I no longer use sugar at home even though I usually find outside coffee needs it.

      Delete
  10. I'm not a sweets person so I can always skip the cake. But give me some cheese or something salty and I break all vows. I wish you strength.

    Susan Says

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For me it's definitely sweets, although I will also swoon for cheese. Things like chips though, I can pass on. I wish us all strength! :)

      Delete
  11. but sometimes i just need to have a chocolate chip cookie!
    i know exactly the snail pace you're talking about, and every little sweet reward for being good seems to erase every bunch of exercise or veggies or skipping snacks... hate getting older. just got to keep trying!
    good luck to us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems like when my body crossed a certain age line, it decided it's just now a lot harder to drop those pounds than it used to. Sigh.

      Delete
  12. Those sweets so like to talk a lot, don't they? Hang in there Madeline! You're doing great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes they shout, inviting me to the party, but sometimes they whisper "sweet" nothings in my ear.... :)

      Delete
  13. I love that quote! I can resist all sweets, but potato chips and cheese are my weakness. If I had to pick a favourite dessert, it would probably be strawberry shortcake. But I do love those peanut butter marshmallow squares too.

    My bf has always struggled to lose weight, so he found a company that will pay him to lose it. If he fails, it costs him money. So far it's motivating him a lot. I think the trick to do something challenging finding out what motivates you, and then figuring out how you can exploit it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Excellent point about the motivation. I read somewhere that it's not so much about willpower as it is "why" power.

      Delete