Saturday, January 10, 2009

Day 2.......



Breakfast

Green Tea
Just right cereal with low fat milk

Lunch
2 tuna nori roll

Snack
2 Multigrain muffins with very small teaspoon of peanut butter and mashed banana

Dinner
Pasta Napolitana (only half cup of cooked pasta) and blanched broccolini

Snack
2 cups green tea


As I was walking today I was trying to work out my key problem areas with food. At least one hurdle I do not have to jump over is that I already enjoy eating healthy foods. Greasy take away foods have never ever been a weakness. I could easily resist a bowl of french fries and not even look twice at deep fried chicken. But food weaknesses I do have are chocolate, sweets and ice cream. I think my biggest problem, since I don't eat large portions and I eat relatively healthy meals, is that I have no will power over treats. I don't feel like I am an emotional eater I just don't have a stopping mechanism when it comes to 'late night treats' you know the kind you have when you watch a movie. Most people can have a few spoons of ice cream and stop, or a couple of pieces of chocolate and put the rest away. Not me. It is as though I have a flat battery in the sensor that should tell me I have had enough. I could eat scoop after scoop of ice cream until there is none left... and if there was some hiding somewhere, I would still eat more. And I honestly don't think it has anything to do with emotions, there are no triggers besides boredom I guess. In fact I am the same with smoking.

If I am in a smoking mood (major trigger is talking on the phone) I will just light one cigarette after another. I could easily chain smoke 5 cigarettes in a half hour whilst chatting on the phone. I may not have anymore for the rest of the day but during that time I will simply not stop. It is as though I am in auto pilot. But I just have to break that habit, I need to adopt some replacement therapy and develop a few healthy habits to substitute the evil ones. First I need to get through the quitting process though. This time around I have decided to use a quitting tool to help me stay focused on not smoking. I have always quit cold turkey in the past and been very successful until I reach the 6 month mark, when I become a little relaxed about my resolve. Then it will only take one night out with my smoking friends and I become nostalgic for my old smoking self. And then before I know it I have bought a packet and the rest is history.

So today I was proactive bought some nicorette gum. I have never used patches or gum before but thought gum might be a good option as I am not only addicted to nicotine but addicted to the habit of 'having' a cigarette. I figure if I can at least do something when I get that craving it will be easier to severe ties with the action of smoking. Well today I had 2 pieces of gum and no cigarettes. The gum is kind of funky tasting, and the tingling sensation is a little weird and it actually made me realise something very curious about myself. As I am chewing the gum I am thinking, wow I bet this is not good for me... maybe I should spit it out. I re-read the instructions about 15 times, and was conscious the whole time that chewing nicotine can't be 'good' for me........ Hello??? I used to inhale smoke into my lungs..... Isn't it strange how brainwashed I have become that I can still be conscious about my health and what I put into my body and yet I have supported a smoking addiction for a decade. Well the smoke haze may finally be clearing.... I feel like this was a bit of a wake up moment and I will remember it next time I reach for a cigarette.

Be good to yourself
Ally

3 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great eating day, good job. As far as smoking, my wife was partying with some of her girlfriends in Wisconsin last night - here in Minnesota there is no smoking in the bars but the Cheeseheads still allow it. And oh boy could you tell from the smell on the clothes!

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  2. Hi John. Thanks for the comment and the support. PS Feel free to remind me about the gross side of smoking eg the smell, as a smoker it is easy to forget just how disgusting it is :)

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  3. Sometimes we can't stop eating ice cream or buttery popcorn because we are hungry! I advise choosing whole milk instead of skim, and full fat cheese. Just eat a reasonable portion of it. Your body needs fat from these healthy foods so it doesn't then crave the junk!

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