V I C T O R Y !!!

Any day I feel like I did a good job with my eating plan is a victory.  Trying different things and expanding my horizons is a victory.  Getting up in the morning is a victory too!

I have talked before about my current dietary challenges trying to heal/flush the candida and leaky gut I have going on.  It is getting easier, truly it is.  If I had to say I have stumbling blocks it would be with NUTS.  I have tried to put 1 oz of nuts in a baggie......and as I say that I have the big bag of cashews on my bed while I watch my beloved CUBS playing.  I had lunch earlier.  It was not as 'big' as it should have been loaded with steamed veggies.  Instead I had a small chicken thigh, some raspberries and a glass of water........no veg as I have not made my trek to the grocery store.  About 90 minutes later I was 'hungry' so I took a handful of nuts....and then a couple more.  I was already satisfied with the first bit of the snack....it was a bit of mindless (instead of mindful) eating.  I filled my glass of ice water back up while I busied myself with swapping out fall clothes.

In the past, this would NOT have been a victory for me.  I would have had a verbal knock out fight with myself for being less than perfect.  I am learning that perfection is overrated!  Why am I counting this is as a VICTORY?  Because I feel it.  I did not eat the whole bag; I did not beat myself up about not fixing the best meal I could have; I found other things to occupy myself to not think about food or more nuts.  My closet can be called a walk in again!  My CUBS are playing!  I am drinking water and loving the crispness of it all......no thoughts for coffee or any other type of beverage.

I have had other victories lately that really made me smile.  I was going to the ball game a couple of weeks ago with some friends.  I forgot I had entered a contest for a 'social media party'.  The day before the game I received an email telling me I had won and what the schedule was, etc.  I was really excited!  I then remembered we were all taking the bus down to the game....could I ditch them?!  I reached out to the girls and told them......and they were like 'are you NUTS?  GO GO...and have lots of fun we will find you when we get down there!'.  I was nervous.....I cleared my calendar at the office to leave at noon to take the train down to the city.  Friends suggested I try UBER to get to the park, which I did.  I guess it was a victory that I made the driver take me to my final destination as he tried to drop me off about 4 miles away from the park!  He put in the wrong address....YIKES!

I wandered around the park alone......which I have really not done much of.  I looked in the shops, wandered around, and then found my spot to  get into the party.  I left with a number of shirts from the promo!  I stood with other winners and then it was time to head to the party!  The Jack Daniel's party deck was our destination.  We start walking and I suddenly realize IT IS AT THE TOP OF THE PARK!!  I am terrified of heights......like sweats and shakes!  On the way up (thank god for ramps) I was surrounded by others so I could not see over the edge.  The team I was on was by the one side....I hear the view was phenomenal!  I got to the picnic table and sat down.  Deep breath.  I don't know what the CUBS call a social media party (no beverages......not even water, not even a peanut was served!).  We had a good time and now I needed to make my way down to my seats...by myself.

Well, I found the exit, got to the railing  (felt like I crawled there!) and slowly made my way down.  Having to look out after every other ramp was scary but I kept breathing, kept walking, giving myself a pep talk the whole time.  I DID IT!  I got down to the main level and found our seats.  ALL BY MYSELF!  VICTORY!!

I have been facing demons and not letting them get the best of me.  In the past, overeating would have started a whole downward spiral for at least a full day.  Now, more often than not, I brush it off, write it down and know that the next opportunity will be better.  I faced my fear of heights for a great chance at a fun party at the ball park!  I am accepting my dietary challenges and playing with cooking more.

I am a work in process.  Last week I let the scale get to me and set me in a tailspin.......it is over but it did not feel good.  Maybe it was a victory as I realized it, owned it and moved on.


Chevre and veggies

A new favorite lunch for me has been goat cheese and steamed veggies.  I make heat up steamed veggies and crumble 1 serving (about 2 oz) of cheese on top.  Let the cheese melt and eat! Good for you veggies keep you full and the cheese is enough protein to keep you from looking for additional food.

Check out your local stores and ask about goat cheese!  You might be surprised!

Until next time    xxoo