Of Whining, Skim Milk, and Surprises

I love to cook and I love to eat. I love chocolate. Good chocolate. And bread. I dream about bread. Really good fresh bread. These are just a couple of the reasons that I am my own worst saboteur when it comes to staying on a diet. I've read all the books, I've watched all the shows. It is just really hard for me. Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment. I've cancelled it three times already just to avoid the scale. My doctor isn't scary, in fact she's very cool. She specializes in weight loss and women's health. Last year, I had started a diet under her supervision. I was doing well, but then I went off of it and stayed off. Mistake number one. I should have hopped right back on that horse, but it was easier and more comfortable to stay in the old familiar place.

This time, I am going to try a more realistic approach. I've really thought about the times I am tempted to eat more than I need. My doctor had asked me to keep a journal last year before I started to diet. Now I understand why she wanted me to do this. It is a real eye opener. She had suggested that since I was adhering very strictly to my diet during the week that I might want to have one day where I could have a little splurge. I did not allow myself that back then. It was all or nothing mentality. I sabotaged myself. So now, I am going to be more realistic. I'm going back tomorrow (gulp) without an 'I want to lose x pounds by (insert date or occasion here) mentality. I am going to make realistic and smart changes and allow myself mini splurges or slivers of only things that are really worth the calories. I will not let a birthday party and a small piece of cannoli cake prevent me from going back on my diet the next day. I will not whine or feel deprived because of all the goodies around me. I will choose my goodies wisely, knowing there will always be goodies in the future. I can still bake and cook delicious things for my family, but I will sample them rather than wolf down enough for three grown men. I will make better choices and seek good substitutes for my old familiar downfalls. Like the whole milk or half and half in my coffee or cereal. This morning I used Skim Plus instead. I must say that it is not bad. Zero fat. Much better.

My Corgi club gave me an award at our Specialty show recently. I was so surprised. Anne Bowes told me that it is indeed a very special award as it is given by my peers. I am very grateful for receiving it. Carol Donnelly also received this award. I know she was as surprised as I was. So THANK YOU to Mayflower for this honor. I will treasure it. I've hung the lovely award in my little studio, which is still being organized. I must find out who did the lovely calligraphy. It is so pretty.

I want to have a little incentive to jump start my diet which includes drinking more water, so I will be ordering one of these new SIGG water bottles for myself from my CafePress store. Since giving is just as much fun (even more, really) than receiving, I want to share this gift with one of my readers. If you are feeling inspired to make healthier choices along with me (or you just want a cool Corgi water bottle) then leave me a comment on this post between now and July 4th, and on July 5th I'll let a random number generator pick the winner! If you're not a Corgi person then you can have a hedgie girl instead. I haven't seen this new product yet, so we will both get the surprise together.



Now, what to cook for dinner?....

xo xo

-CS ^..^