A Reminder To Stay Mindful

So, as I show up to the blog each and every day this week and really have nothing new to report, I can say that the last 24 hours has been a balance of being off and on plan.

Off plan: I indulged in a minor "binge" last night. It included a few fig Newtons (partially to honor the Fig Wasp that I just learned about a week ago and which may not even have anything at ALL to do with the fruit and cake product). A handful of Bugles. Total cereal + skim milk. (So when the cats in the room circled me like sharks, wanting the leftover milk in the bowl, it led to a LITERAL cat fight ---which is off topic---so let me just briefly relay that it involved my calico versus my brother's tabby---and my calico "started" it. Oh, and, finally--- yes, I know cats are lactose intolerant; it was lactose free skim milk. Sigh.)

On plan: I tracked everything, HONESTLY on MyFitnessPal App. I completed a double work out (upper body and lower body 21 Day Fix workout) to prepare for Wednesday's travel day. No excuses. Wednesday is also the official "cheat day" that my brother has instituted in his eating plan that I have somewhat adopted. Having a cheat day each week, and planning to use it on a travel day, helps to let go of the pressure to try to eat healthy while on the road.

I did stay on program during the Taco Tuesday lunch today at Mesquite Grill. 2 soft, chicken tacos. No sides. I ate 1 and a half, paying attention to how I felt as I ate (mindfulness) to not get TOO stuffed. I also had a mini victory by passing on the glazed donut when getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. I didn't WANT the donut and didn't feel the need to fill an emotional void with food that I was too full to eat. Progress. More small steps that will ultimately lead to victory.

Tonight I have the 21 Day Fix pilates workout planned (after a light dinner). Who knows what the evening will bring, when I am more prone to snack? It is always my hope to be more mindful about my eating, but it's not always easy to do that. As I am learning to listen and pay attention, ask myself what I'm truly hungry for and listen to the answer, I have moments of making choices that aren't the best. If I am truly going to abolish the notion of forbidden foods, then I need to get real and walk the talk. Live it. Truly make peace with the food choices I make and pay attention to/understand the mind/body connection. Let's face it, when I eat an original chicken sandwich from Burger King, I feel sluggish and dumpy. It is the main reason I am not tempted to order again. I have permission to do so, but I know I don't want to feel languid. When I eat in this way (mindfully), I make better choices. Paying attention and staying mindful are key. Which reminds me that I have not plugged into calm.com yet for today's meditation.

Knowing I will be checking in every day on the blog this week is another piece of accountability that is working to keep me authentic and responsible. If the scale does not budge or moves up rather than down, I can come right back here (and to MyFitnessPal) to see the brutal truth, knowing full well all the reasons why.

Thanks for stopping by to read. Feel free to share your own challenges below.

May you walk in peace + kindness and be excellent to each other, my good peeps.

\m/\m/