Fail To Plan = Plan To Fail

I've never liked that quote. It just sounds so...negative to me. I don't know why, because I know what the point is, but I still don't like it.

Although I'm starting to learn it's true.

On the days that I consciously plan ahead for the meals and food that I will eat, I do better. Make better choices. The days that I don't plan? I usually choose the worst things.

So last weekend was my sons' joint birthday party. They were turning 4 and 2. It was a bounce house themed party, and we were expecting lots of family and friends, so we ordered lots of yummy Mexican food. I made TONS of milkshake cupcakes (I'll post the recipe one day!). I had a cooler full of ice cold sodas and juices.

Why? Why would I do that to myself?

Well, I'm the only one in my family that is overweight. Not that it means that everyone else can eat unhealthy while I have to eat lettuce, but I have a strong belief that my obsession with food came from not learning HOW to make the right CHOICES. Growing up, there was no junk food in my house. I believe my parents had the best intentions, because after all, if you don't keep crap in the house, you can't eat crap, right? Which led to me seeking out junk food wherever I could. I don't want my children to grow up with an unhealthy relationship with food. I want to educate them and teach them to make the right choices, but not to the point of obsession.

Turns out, my kids were more interested in playing with friends and bouncing in the bounce house than eating food. Seems like I was the only one obsessing over the food that day...

The morning of the party I woke up early with my oldest son. I was so busy finalizing the last pieces of the party that I didn't make time for anything other than feeding my kids, getting us all dressed, and dealing with issues at my business. (Why does that stuff always happen at the WORST TIMES?!) Although I was busy, I knew I wanted to make good choices that day. I drank plenty of water, had an Emergen-C (don't know if those actually help, but I like to think they do!) and grabbed a Questbar for the drive to the party.

Water. I drank lots of water. Did I mention water? Ok.

My plan was to set up for the party and have a small plate of food before guests arrived ao that I didn't feel the need to stuff my face with ALL THE FOOD. So I did. I ate a small lunch and after family and friends arrived I was able to socialize and enjoy the party rather than worry about food.

 

 

Each day I'm trying to remind myself that FOOD IS FUEL. EAT TO LIVE, don't LIVE TO EAT. But it's hard. For some reason, food has this mental "hold" on me. I crave it, I constantly think about it, it makes me happy, it comforts me. One day I hope I don't have to fight with food anymore. But for now, I take it day by day, hour by hour, bite by bite. Sometimes I win, sometimes food does.