The Evil Pixies in Green Uniforms

It seems like they're everywhere this time of year. They're unfailingly polite, and terribly cute. They station themselves at strategic locations like the entrance to my local grocery store. Armed with a smile, they approach as I make my way inside. "Thin Mint? Samoa? Do-Si-Do? Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?"

Noooooo! They're back again. The emails at work: "My daughter's troop is raising money for summer camp. Can I put you down for 5 boxes this year?" It's only a few dollars, after all. It's for a good cause, right? I'd just be doing my part. I can totally justify buying a box or two, can't I?

It's funny how they always seem to catch me at a weak moment. The timing is a little suspicious to me (likely perfected by clever marketers through the years). They peddle their tasty wares in the winter, when we're hibernating during the cold months and craving comfort food. We've had time to break our New Year's resolutions to eat better, so we don't feel as guilty about eating a few sweets. And there's plenty of time before swimsuit season, when we will suddenly realize the time has arrived for showing off our bodies for all to see - for better or worse.

Now, I don't really believe the Girl Scouts are evil. (And I hasten to add that I know they do lots of good things. Heck, I even put in my time as a Brownie and Girl Scout. Earned a few badges, too.) It's not the messenger I should be upset with, because all they're doing is offering a product; I don't have to partake. It's just that they prey on my weaknesses (sugar and chocolate) when I'm most vulnerable (hungry and tired). But really, who am I kidding? It could be a candy dealer in a dark alley waving a Snickers enticingly in front of me. ("Pssst. Hey lady! Wanna buy some... chocolate?") I would probably succumb no matter who was offering the treats.

At the store, I take a deep breath and brace myself as I approach the doors. I paste a polite smile on my face and briefly make eye contact with the young saleswoman: "No, thank you. No cookies for me today." I turn and walk toward the store, mentally patting myself on the back for resisting temptation. I grab a cart, walk inside... and come face to face with a display of Snickers on sale. Sigh...

Staring Down Temptation

I typically spend my lunch hour in our company's break room. What can I say? I'm too cheap to eat out every day, and it's better for me to pack my lunch and exercise some control over my meal planning. It's not a bad place: there are tables where I can sit and read, write, or watch the news on the nearby TV, and they recently painted it in what I believe is supposed to be a cheery shade of yellow (but instead is so bright that it only serves to keep me wide awake - which may be the point, I now realize).

But I digress. I spend parts of many workdays in this room, and I'm starting to think it may prove to be my dietary downfall. The culprit? Vending machines, with their bright, shiny exteriors, luring me with a veritable plethora of beverages and snacks. The chocolate I'm trying to wean myself from? Taunting me from across the room. Potato chips? Winking at me from their place on the rows and rows of choices.

It's like driving by an accident on the highway: I try not to look, but I can't help myself. Yes, I can, I tell myself, trying a pep talk. I have nice, healthy snacks at my desk and at home. But the treats look so good, arrayed in the display case in all their calorie-laden glory. Colleagues line up to make their selections, exchanging their coins for the promise of quick energy and comfort food. I could just go with the flow and join them. But no, I have a nice salad waiting for me at home, along with yummy leftovers from last night's Mexican fiesta (otherwise known as a burrito). What time is it again? How many hours until I'm far away from this Shangri-la of sweets? I change seats, moving farther away from the temptations and facing a different direction so I don't have to see them. I distract myself with a book, and within a few minutes, I've mostly forgotten about the chocolate. Crisis averted, at least for the time being. Now if I can just avoid the 75% off Valentine's candy at the grocery store...

So Far, So Good

I'm 4 weeks into my attempt to get back on the healthy eating wagon by doing the math. The plan seems to be working, since I've lost 4 pounds in the first 4 weeks. That's actually 1 pound short of my goal of 5 pounds per month, but I'm counting this as a success anyway.

What I've learned so far:

- As expected, the first couple of weeks were the most painful. I went from eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted to being hungry all the time (and more than a little cranky). The hunger pangs have finally tapered off now. While I'm still often hungry and craving things I can't let myself eat right now, the fact that the pounds are starting to come back off is helping my motivation level.

- Weekends, when I'm home and around food more, are hard when it comes to avoiding temptation. I need to do 2 things: first, use a more structured approach in planning my meals on the weekends instead of grabbing snacks here and there; and second, get out of the house more so I'm not around food and tempted so much.

- Food in social situations can be difficult to manage. Whether it's a family dinner or a visit with a friend, I know there are times when I'll have less control over what my food options are. I don't want to be anti-social, so I need to be willing to make a compromise once in a while and make up for it later. If I want to think about this as a long term plan, then I need to find a way to handle these kinds of situations. Otherwise I'm never going to get completely off the diet merry-go-round.

Here's to the next 4 weeks!