It's an old saw, but today really proved to me how important planning can be.
Mina talked about how each night she writes down what she's going to eat the following day. It helps her plan her food and keep things under control.
I'm not nearly so organised, I tend to scrawl down what I'm going to eat as I'm standing in the kitchen eating my breakfast. A bit less organised, but it helps me keep control of the rest of the day. I don't need to think about what I'm going to eat, because I already know what I'm going to eat.
Of course, you do get unexpected lunch or dinner invites or cake for someone's birthday so you need to go back and revise, but otherwise it's a good plan.
So I've decided to do NaNoWriMo (yes, I'm completely insane, but I thought we established that a couple of entries ago?) this year. Today was a BBQ picnic for Melbourne participants. I had a sneaking suspicion that the food there would not be the sort of stuff I need to be loading into my gullet at the moment. So, as I ate my toast this morning, I planned out lunch and dinner and packed a lunch for myself.
Bloody good thing I did too. It was all soft drinks (sodas), beer, chips, dips, sausages, donuts and chocolate. Had I not thought ahead and planned out my own lunch, today's eating would have been a disaster area.
Instead, I could politely refuse the chips and snack on my rice/corn crackers or nuts or carrot sticks or cherry tomatoes. I had a smoked chicken, sundried tomato and feta salad to eat, instead of greasy sausages on white bread.
It made it easier to refuse things because I had planned ahead to have other options (and delicious ones at that). I did cave and have a beer, but I planned to be under one point for today, so I'm only over by one.
It's not about being super virtuous or anything like that. It's simply about creating an environment where you're less likely to fail (thanks, Dr Phil!). Sure, I still could have eaten the junk they had at the BBQ, but giving myself a good choice to start with made it easier to make a good choice.
(Thank you to everyone for their lovely comments on my photos! I'm blushing!)
Wow, NaNoWriMo starts TOMORROW. Good luck with that. Let us know how you're doing. Maybe I'll do it next year, when I actually think of something to write about!!
Oh, awesome self-discipline, Tree!! I kind of lack in that department.. but I like that it's "creating an environment where you're less likely to fail". That's some good common sense but I've never thought of it like that before! Congrats on turning down the fatty foods at the BBQ -- I still struggle with that sometimes. :)
I have to confess I'm one of those control freaks who writes down/ plans what I'm going to eat beforehand. I even plan the week's meals in advance when I shop. If I don't, I tend to lose the plot and go over my points, or get caught out blowing my points on an unexpected dinner. So I'm all for planning in advance - especially when attending events! (that's what got me through last year's Xmas without a gain, heh)
Good for you on NaNoWriMo! Wow what a challenge. What are you writing about? Would love to see the end result :)
Wow... I just checked your weight loss numbers ('cause even though they've been up there, I haven't checked in a while) and WOW! ALMOST FIFTY FRIGGIN POUNDS! You totally, totally rock.
Oh, and good luck with NaNoWriMo!
What an utterly divine website. We are all just amateurs compared to you!! Have seen and heard you mentioned a number of times on other tags but decided to finally check you out. What a fantastic person with a fantastic site.
Wow! NaNoWriMo!! Will you publish your (no doubt brilliant 50K) words online on Dec 01? You go girl!
And well done with the planning, I've never actually taken something to a bbq but I do try and leave as many points as poss for dinner when I don't know what I'm getting. We await the Cup outfit with pleasurable anticipation :-) Have a lovely day (I'll look for you on TV now I've seen your photos :)
Cherry tomatoes? mmmmmmm!
Smokes chicken and feta and sundried tomato salad? Golly. It's a wonder you didn't have just about everyone at that bbq trying to sample your lunch!
Way to go, gal!
That was another brilliant post. Planning is just determination's side effect. And the easy way for a "dieter" to live a more "normal" life. I used to be a bit shy bringing my own food when I was invited in places with "dangerous" food and snacks. Lately I am making tripple the quantity I am taking with me, because everyone wants to try and have some of my food!
Served up by Argyro at 05:00 on 31|10|04