Phase 2: Sustainability + Accountability
The mind and emotions are delicate things to balance
especially when trying to break habits that seem to soothe them when they are
at their most vulnerable point. Its been interesting to watch myself want to
choose certain unhealthy foods when I’m tired and experiencing a little stress, and how I would typically excuse the behavior for the circumstances without
hesitation. This commitment to such a precise standard for the first weeks
and a more broad but sustainable plan for the last 2 weeks has proven to be
just what I needed to get back on track.
Trials
Saturday I was faced with my first real trial of my resolve. It was the first day after 2 weeks of not allowing
myself any wiggle room, and my mind was trying to play that typical game of
“come on, live a little” as I wanted to “reward” myself for making it through.
I was aware of my habit of wanting a reward for "good behavior" while also
feeling like I had finally done enough to feel the true empowerment of eating
food mostly for it’s health benefits, as opposed to emotional eating.
The shift was evident when I was able to start preparing
more robust foods with veggies, and sprouts, and avocados; which had been missed lately, substituted with the satisfaction of my favorite brand
of malt vinegar and sea salt chips.
I noticed my mind trying to drift to all
the options I wanted to make available, while forgetting that the commitment
was to still only have low-glycemic alternatives for another strict 2 weeks, and then to only allow for one higher-glycemic, gluten, dairy, sugar-free alternative per
week after I get through November.
It was decided that we would eat at Dion’s (a first for me)
for the team post game meal, and I had made my mind up before the trip that I would let my son
enjoy more of the things his teammates would be having than if it were just he
and I. So, after watching several wonderful smelling pizzas pass by and finding
out they don’t do gluten-free, and not having anyone to split his pizza with, I
bought him a medium pepperoni pizza with jalapenos on the half I might eat if I
gave in.
As I sat watching the boys eat their pizza and eat handfuls
of chilli peppers on dares, I got hungrier and started to pick off pepperoni’s
and jalapenos as I decided if I was going to eat pizza or not. I had some nuts
and these pea snacks in the car but I really wanted something warm to eat. I
finally gave in and went to the car, got my snacks and was happy to have not
given in. I knew that the rest of the 2 weeks would have been over if I had given in
so early, especially with such a divergent quality of food compared to the standard I
was working on getting back to. I also knew that this choice wouldn’t end here, but would be the start of a ripple made even worst when I got to Newport Sunday
night where I would be facing even more temptations hanging out with my old college
buddy living that So-Cal bachelor lifestyle.
Moving Forward
As I wrap up this entry I am also wrapping up a tasty “Pure
Greens” juice at a spot right behind my buddies apartment complex, which also just
happened to be in the same business park as the office I came out here to
visit. The spot is KRISP Fresh Living
and they sell cold pressed juice, raw
smoothies, Acai & Pitaya Bowls, and Vegan Ice Cream (I might have to
endulge in some of that before I leave, it will be ten times better than the
Cronught – croissant doughnut - I was craving from my last visit out here which
is right around the corner from the Bar my buddy runs. My mouth kind of watered
thinking about it :-/).
With a start to my travel eating this healthy I have a
feeling the rest of the trip will be successful, and will further empower me to
have the healthiest November of my life as I rework my nutrition and
re-establish a standard of nutrition that serves my picture of a healthy,
balanced eating lifestyle.
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