blog entry

I lost an inch, but gained a lot

Last night while watching America's Next Model and seeing one too many rib cages, I remembered I never updated you ladies on the results of my two-week experiment with a high protein diet. Well, I have good news and I have bad news. Bad news first: I do not look like Serena Williams as I had hoped. Sigh. But the good news is I lost an inch around my waist, about 3 pounds, but most important, I gained some valuable insight into my effed up relationship with food.

I don't overeat and I never have. But while my portions at breakfast, lunch and dinner are petite my appetite for sweets is not. When I have a bad day I want to come home to a nice dessert. When I have a good day I want to come home to a nice dessert. When I'm bored I want to munch on candy. When I'm busy I want to munch on candy.

Furthermore, I have an attitude about food that's akin to that of a 5-year-old. When I want candy I want it NOW. If I have nothing good at home, I will get in my car and drive to Walgreens to buy a bag of candy corn. And if someone brings treats to the office I'll dive in even if I'm already full. I'm big baby.

But not anymore. My two weeks without candy, cookies and cake, showed me my willpower is a lot stronger than I thought. I simply told myself, "OK, you can't have sweets and that's that," and it worked! You see, you have to be firm with unruly children to whip them into shape.

And those two short weeks have had lasting effects (so far). I still love candy but I'm now satisfied after a few pieces, instead of needing to inhale half a bag of candy corn (in one sitting) to be content. Yesterday we had donuts in the office. Today apple pie. I didn't have any of either. Instead I happily noshed on grapes and felt like a grownup, despite my Hello Kitty cubicle decor.