Unstuff This Turkey
November 13th, 2010
Well it should come to no shock to you after reading my candy bar habit, dough-balls-for-dinner, and dreams of communion bread posts this past week that my pants are uncomfortably snug on me. Unfortunately they’ve been snug for awhile, but I haven’t been doing anything about. Except, of course, complaining to my ever-patient husband.
That’s about to change.
It’s not so much the number on the scale, or that I popped the zipper on my favorite pair of jeans that bothers me so much. It’s that I can’t seem to control my food cravings. Actually, these aren’t really cravings. These are just unhealthy habits. If I want junk I eat it. It seems that since the marathon I haven’t been able to trim my eating to a non-training amount.
After losing 40 pounds and keeping it off for about 4 years, I’m sure you can imagine my horror that all of my hard work will be thrown out the window because I still eat like I have a 20 mile run the next day.
No longer, friends. No longer.
Now before I go one, I want to make it clear that I don’t think I’m “fat”. Not at all.
I don’t really care that I have gained weight. I care that I have gained weight because I haven’t been eating very well. I have learned that if I have negative self-image it very rarely has to do with some number on the tag of my pants or on the scale. It has EVERYTHING to do with how I treat my body.
So I’m proposing a little challenge to myself between now and Thanksgiving. I call it Unstuff This Turkey because it’s not only funny, but seasonal too!
The main part of this challenge is to cut back on sweets. And by cut back, I mean cut them out. Maybe not entirely. Maybe I’ll let myself have a treat a week, but no more dough balls for dinner or candy bar runs to the store. I can fill up on sweet treats like fruits and nuts. Those are better for me and make me feel significantly better too. I need to remind myself of that all the time.
Also I will be eating more salads. When I think back over my daily meals, salads are shockingly absent from my diet. I love salads, but for whatever reason, I don’t want to eat them for lunch. Or dinner. While I’ll still eat vegetables in other ways, like soups, I lack the nutrition that fresh veggies provide.
And finally, I’m going to fight my laziness. This being a running blog (for the most part) you might not think I’m lazy, but I really am! I would looooove to spend all day on the couch with a book or some good movies. Or each season of 30 Rock on DVD. Call me Liz Lemon. I love food and writing to make people laugh. Physical exercise is not one of my favorite things. Running is lucky because I think it’s fun. I promise you that if I didn’t find it so enjoyable, I wouldn’t be doing anything to get my heart rate up. Not ever!
I’ll allow myself one day of rest, but otherwise I will be moving. Whether it be running, yoga, or the bike trainer, I’m going to be sweating. I certainly have the time now that my travel season is over.
I’m planning this challenge between now and Thanksgiving. It will be really hard for me, I am sure! But I’m hoping that with some discipline, it will eventually be easier to practice these behaviors daily…and I won’t be overwhelmed with all of the food choices during the holidays!
So, I will be tracking my progress (and my setbacks, if there are any) here! I’ll let you know the fresh veggies that I’m eating, how I did with no sweets and what my exercise for the day was! The number on the scale might not change, and my pants might never fit again, but I’m ok with that because I know that I’ll be treating my body the way it should be treated.
But this isn’t just for me! YOU’RE INVITED TO UNSTUFF YOUR TURKEY, TOO! If you’re feeling the same as me, please join me. I’m terrible at self discipline, so I’m going to need all of the help, companionship and encouragement that I can get!
Who’s with me?!
P.S. Yes, I ate that dough ball. But it was my last one. I don’t know if that’s good or bad for this turkey.
Categories: Uncategorized
You can do it! I think its hard once the holidays hit but its all about perspective. Living in balance and feeling better. Your awesome abby!
I love your determination! I know you can do it. I’ve been reaching for baked goods over fresh fruit lately and feeling sluggish. I’m going to make it a point to eat more fresh fruit & veggies. Since we’re training for a half marathon, my appetite is definitely bigger but I still can’t use that an excuse to eat 5 cookies just because they are in the kitchen.
Ohhh hahah Dorry, that’s the story of my life! I need to grow a garden, not bake!!
A favorite quote of mine is “The pain of discipline outweighs the pain of regret”. Half the battle is making the decision to make the changes. The next half is being able to walk away from the cookie and not turn back. Good luck in your challenge. You can do it!
I love that quote! That you for sharing it!
I’m definitely with you on this!
I’ve decided to take at least a week-long break from sweets and then slowly phase the back in after that. I really just can’t control my portion sizes with sweets anymore. Sugar overdoses make me sluggish and tired and I’m saying, No more!
Good luck with this challenge!
I will totally join in! I’ve been lacking motivation to get myself back on a mostly-healthy track, and this sounds like just the thing
. Too many sweets and soda and not enough wholesome food has been in my life lately. Good luck!
Lissi
You can do it! And I will be participating in my own way, my appetite has changed with so much partying and running over the last few months, roping that in a bit won’t hurt me either!
You got this girl! Whatever you need to do to FEEL your best is a great decision, IMO.
what?You lost 40 pound?can we see a “before” picture???
Hahah yea, I’ll try to dig up some old pics to show you. I know I’ve put one up before. It’s funny because I don’t “feel” different!
“The pain of discipline outweighs the pain of regret.” Love it!
I’m with you too, Abby. Been watching what I am eating the last few weeks too. I think it takes several weeks to flush the sugar addiction from my system, and I am hoping that if I do it now, I will also be able to face the holidays with better judgement.
Oh and as for the communion bread – you could become Catholic – we get communion every week…but I wouldn’t exactly call it scrumptous…
Haha! I found out who makes te communion bread last night.. I’ll be sure to share the recipe! That’s not going to help with my sugar addiction…NOT AT ALL!
I am definitely with you! Starting a new job last Monday really hurt the working out abilities… I was working 13 hours everyday! But no more complaints on this side either! I am excited to read about your challenges, as well as your successes! Good luck to you!
Congrats on the new job!! And mad props for working so much!
First of all I just have to say you’re adorable! I love the name of your challenge too. Good luck with it!!
Hahah awww thanks
Totally with you! I
I was JUST thinking about doing the same sort of thing from now until Thanksgiving, because I’ve been eating pretty crappy lately too! I’m in! Will you post daily reminders on your blog to keep us on track?? Pretty please?
Oh and this starts AFTER my fondue party tonight, right?
Hahah! Yes! I will keep you all posted with how I’m doing. And I hope people let me know how they’re doing too to keep my butt in gear!
Thank you for this post! At least I am not the only that has been stuffing there face with anything and pretty much everything. I will join you on your unstuff the turkey goal. Nobody likes having their pants feeling snug. Especially prior to the holidays!! Today was day one. Not too shabby so far…
Yay! Go Amber! My first day wasn’t bad either, but I need to go buy some vegetables! Grocery trip tonight!
thats such a great quote. im not even going to type good luck because i know you can do it. and i can definitely relate to your feelings about how annoying the mindless nature of gaining weight can be. not even the weight gain but the way it happened…it would be one thing if it were conscious and good quality foods, but if its crap i do it in a careless fashion. well thats just lame. i dunno.
haha I’m with you..it’s lame! But such a hard habit to break!
I know how you feel girl! After my last half I could NOT get a handle on my running. For some reason this training season has been different (probably because I’m injured and barely running even though my race is next week, ha). You can do this! Get it girl!
Oh and that story about meeting the parents was horrific. Geeeez! I’m glad things are getting better now though
Happy Monday!
You’ll rock that race! And reward yourself with a big piece of cake afterwards. Don’t worry, I won’t tell!
I couldn’t have read this post at a better time. I’ve been feeling the exact same way with eating too much junk and not enough of the good stuff. I never weigh myself but I can feel that I’ve put on a pound or two which really is no big deal but the fact that I’ve had stomach aches and low energy as a result of my eating- that’s a big deal. I’m gonna join you for sure! I think a little encouragement was just what I needed! Thanks
Great! Glad that I’m not alone in this!
I just found your blog and this is perfect. I’ve been doing the exact same thing lately – maybe it’s just the change of seasons that makes us crave sugar. I have gained a few pounds, but that’s not the point – the point, like you said, is that I don’t feel good when I don’t treat myself right. So I’m with you! Good luck!
Thanks for stopping by!! So glad that i’m not the only one feeling this way!
I’m a diabetic, but still had to have my coke a day and my sweet tea when I went out for “special occasions”. Yeah, like running by a Mcallister’s after a workout is a “special occasion”. Anyway, I just went through a now 4 week sugar cut. It was hard. But it can be done. Good luck to you!!