Monday, September 14, 2009

Perfection Is Overrated Anyway...

I went out to an impromptu birthday party tonight. I avoided the chips and pop even though there weren’t really any other choices being offered. It’s a good thing I made an omelet before leaving for the get together or I may have caved to simple hunger. I was prepared to have just a few bites of cake, but then someone arrived with a pumpkin pie in hand and I knew that I had to readjust my thinking to incorporate the oh-so-tempting treat. I ended up with a sliver of pie which barely totaled four bites and then I had a couple of tastes from my husband’s cake. Overall I think I did okay, but I definitely feel like I have had much better days.

In a desperate attempt to make up for the fact that I did no real exercise today, I just finished a few crunches to try and make myself feel better even though I am completely exhausted. Honestly, I walked in after being out tonight and found that I was really starting to do some inner scolding about the lack of activity and I began to formulate a plan in my head to make up for it tomorrow. But that's when I realized that it is that type of thinking that has hindered me in the past. If I feel like I can never have a day where I make a mistake, never have a moment where I make a wrong decision, than I am definitely not going to find this a sustainable lifestyle.

I am not perfect. I did not exercise today. It will be alright. Tomorrow I will do better, but I refuse to play catch up to some unobtainable flawless goal in my mind.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 1/2 cups of Flavour Fusion Salad with low fat blueberry and pomegranate dressing
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with 1 light Laughing Cow wedge, tomato, and pepper
- 2 egg omelet with tomato, mushroom, yellow pepper, onion, and pepper
- 4 bites of pumpkin pie
- 2 bites of vanilla cake
- 1 shot of rum
- 3/4 cup of mixed fruit yogurt with 1 cup of Shreddies cereal

EXERCISE:
- 30 stomach crunches

9 comments:

  1. You are so very wise - seriously. I feel like I could have written this post too. You did a great job with choosing to eat little bits of pie, but then were starting to stress over not having been able to fit in exercise.

    I think it's just wonderful that you came to the conclusion that you did. Every day isn't the perfect eating/exercise day, but every day that you make more good choices than bad are days that move you forward to your goals.

    And eventually, because you never quit, you will be where you want to be. Awesome job!

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  2. I agree... Perfection is unattainable. Why beat ourselves up because we aren't perfect. Embrace your imperfections!

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  3. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. I had a good healthy weekend except for one thing. But that one thing is all I can think about. Starting this moment, I am forgetting about that one incident, I do NOT need to correct for it today. It's OVER!

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  4. You have to have a treat every now and then. And a day without exercise gives your body a chance to recharge. You'll be amazed at your stamina today!
    I try not to beat myself up about missing a day. I keep a calendar in my planner and put cute stickers on my activity days. I have a goal of days of activity, so that when I miss one, it's not a big deal b/c I've already factored in missing some days.

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  5. I simply adjust my exercise schedule a little when I find myself in the path of unavoidable calories. An extra 20 minutes on the elliptical will help wipe away a sliver of pie or a bite of cake (plus it helps put those choices in perspective a little).

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  6. Yep, that's what we need to do. Adjust our expectations and then adjust our plans. One slip isn't going to hurt us in the long run, if we adjust and improve as time goes on. Good for you for not beating yourself up on that one.

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  7. Sounds like you did well! Pumpkin pie is the less evil of all the pies, anyway. And it's delish!

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  8. I really do value every one of your thoughts! Thank you all for helping me through this journey!

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  9. Hey girl! Thank you for the beautiful comment you left on my blog today, and letting me know that you liked my comment...I'm so glad we "met"!! lol

    If you ask me, today was a win!! Only a sliver of pie and 2 bites of cake is, I'm guessing, way better of a choice than you made in the past? That in itself is a picture of the progress you are making. There will always, always be birthday parties and surprise eating that we can't plan for. I think you did fantastic when faced with what you were. So proud of your choices...just so proud. :)

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