Five Temptations (that will sabotage my plans)

Throughout this process thus far, it’s been important (and easy) for me to figure out what my biggest temptations would be. They are glaringly obvious constant reminders of derailment. They are in my face constantly, begging me to hop off the wagon….and lead to weight stagnation, or worse weight gain.

Hopefully it’s true what they say–that knowing is half the battle.

1. Alcohol. I’m a vibrant 25 year old, living in a big city. Though the history of Chicago is at times fuzzy, I’d like to believe this city was founded on some grand land charter with a focus on happy-hours, Irish Pubs, and drink specials.

My best friends are boys, and man can these boys drink. While the idea of a PBR case-race is appealing, it’s not something the waist-line can tolerate. Bars on every corner and my interest in “having fun,” have caused me to drink more calories than I can quantify…and I can count pretty high.

2. Eating Out. The Chicago restaurant scene is any foodie’s dream. A drain on my wallet and on my caloric intake, going to these restaurants makes me feel heavier just thinking about them… especially the bars.

The fancy restaurants present scallops, swimming in four-inches of butter. It’s hard to find good sashimi, but every maki-roll tastes great with their sauces, rice, and carbohydrates. The bars smother everything in buffalo sauce and serve them with a side of ranch. The Midwest has amazing frozen custard.

No wonder I am fat.

3. Family/Friends. I have a hard time telling people “No.” If everyone wants pizza for dinner, we’ll eat pizza for dinner. Though my folks live six-hours away, when there’s a visit on the horizon, I know there will be constant eating. I dread it, but my will power is often lacking. I try to temper the amount I eat around them, but it’s a fruitless (literally, no fruit in sight) attempt.

How can I refuse to make dad his favorite hushpuppies (without eating several)? I can’t turn down mom’s bourbon slush. These foods are filled with love, therefore eating copious amounts will bring happiness.

I have to learn to say, “No.”

4. My Schedule. I am a busy-Cee. I work a full-time job. I am a full-time graduate student. I have baseball games to watch, a puppy to walk, friends, a dating life (at times, though there’s a drought), books to read, beaches to relax upon, and baseball cards to collect.

Now, I’m adding diet and exercise into the daily routine and wondering if there are enough hours in the day.

I will find time to make it work, but it’s a full-plate that sometimes makes lengthy workouts and healthy eating difficult. I’m working on this piece, placing diet and exercise as pillars of success and happiness.

5. My Own Worst Enemy. I’m moody, I’m cynical, I’m negative, and most days would be better if I had a hug.

I am my own worst critic, my own drill-sergeant, and sometimes this freight-train of negativity can not be stopped.

I can go from laughing to anxious in seconds flat, and I expect to have a great deal of break-downs throughout this process, but I am hoping I’ll turn them into positives and prove to myself that I’m the keeper of my own destiny; the counter of my own calories.

I think I can beat me.

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