Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Willpower Please

Hubby left yesterday for a quick business trip the UK. Since our entire relationship started off long-distance, the time apart sucks but we know that the best part is when he comes home. By then, we’ll each have forgotten whatever it was that had been annoying us about the other and will only remember that we love and miss each other. Plus the hugs are great! (The gifts don’t hurt either!)

Although this new job was supposed to put an end to business trips, this is Hubby’s third so far this year. This trip in particular is going to be tough since I am at that dangerous point during Phase One of South Beach where I have stayed away from any food that might possibly bring me happiness for almost two weeks but my grumpiness factor is so high I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the reason Hubby was going to England.

You see, I have a tiny little problem: I have zero willpower. Actually that might even be overstating matters. What would you call a person who smells their friend’s French fries because it is the closest they can get to carbs, and cries when chocolate commercials air on television? Oh yeah: pathetic. *sigh*

For the last two weeks, Hubby and I have been gourmet geniuses in our attempts to avoid the “boredom” problem I usually go through on South Beach. (Hubby is skinny and doesn’t need to be on a diet [Hubby edit: Yes, he does, but only for a few kg]. But since he’s so awesome he is keeping to the diet at least at home. How’s that for supportive?) During our first week, we found and adjusted great recipes for both shrimp and calamari that we have already decided to include in our regular repertoire because they turned out so well.

Since I committed to losing a significant amount of weight, I am determined that I won’t cheat while Hubby is away. I have planned certain low-carb friendly takeaway meals, and Hubby and I made gazpacho before he left that should last for at least one more meal.

The problem is that my Hubby-free time has typically been when I totally pig out and enjoy all the foods he doesn’t like. Right now, I wish I was doing Weight Watchers instead so that I could max out my points on yummy foods instead of having to continue to deny myself.

When all is said and done, I have push through the pain and show Hubby (and the world) that willpower is simply a matter of mind over matter. Sure, everyone else on the planet already knows that but this will be a test of that concept for me. I can do it! (I think…)

39 comments:

Roxane said...

Just wanted to wish you best of luck with your dieting. You are right, it is mind over matter! (This coming from the girl who hit the Ben & Jerry's HARD last night!) Hang in there, and if you should happen to slip up, don't be too hard on yourself :)

Heather said...

Good luck! I have next to no will power, as I sit here and eat peanut M7M's.

Lydia said...

Good Luck! I'm not very familiar with the South Beach diet, so this suggestion may not be helpful, but a good Otlob option is Chili's Classic fajitas with chicken. Just don't use the tortillas. chicken? good. bell peppers? good. onions? good. and the pico de gallo that goes with it is heaven! Maybe it's a safe food, idk.

Kimberly @ Seriously Daisies said...

Good luck! I know I could never, ever, in a million years have the willpower to stay away from foods I love. So you are already stronger than me!!! :o)

I'll be rooting for you!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Be strong! Just think how fun it will be if you are even more svelte upon your husband's return home.

My suggestion: When you feel like eating, head over to the computer instead. Blogging over snacking might just do the trick! :)

-Wenda

Anonymous said...

Good luck! Blog a lot, chew gum, drink coffee and do lots of exercise - long walks and stuff...

Having said that, I don't really believe in diets... Sometimes a little little something of what you really want is a good way of actually sticking to your willpower: it stops you from obsessing about something you want.

All things in moderation, as they say...

Amanda said...

I too lack willpower, though I also really stick to routines, so I can be really good at eating according to certain rules as long as I can make it routine.

Brenda said...

I feel your pain! We are doing diets on and off all this year to lose a "significant amount of weight". Mostly the severe no carb diets. Not eating carbs makes me really grouchy. I wanted to do the south beach but it does not fit with our lifestyle, maybe someday. Meanwhile the book sits on my shelf. . .

Try blogging more for a distraction, publish some of your low carb recipes!

Hccm said...

Diets are no fun, but in the end they are worth it. Good luck!

Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha

Susie said...

Good luck on your quest for good health:-)

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments. I hope to see you back there soon:-)

Debbie said...

Willpower is not something I frequently encounter! It is just so much easier to give in. And I am all about the easy.

Brooke said...

I wish had some advice for you, but I've got NO willpower! NONE! Good luck with the two week thing.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I wish you the best of luck staying strong. Losing weight is no easy task, but the end results are so worth it all.

Anonymous said...

You MUST make the two week mark! Even if it is just so that hubby can't say "I told you so" if you don't keep it up.
I know you can do it. :)
merthyrmum

Unknown said...

Uch, I feel your pain :D
I have 15 Kilos on the plan for this year when hubby's gone.
And I will def. do it. Period.
I did it before with sports and all, but 6 months laziness in Hungary in 2007/07 brought it all back. And more.
I feel your pain about being apart too. We have 2 more weeks together and then comes some big time apart :(

Simple Answer said...

Ugh. Dieting sucks, eh?

Anonymous said...

You can do it. But if you slip, don't beat yourself up. By the way, a new study came out that the old-fashioned thinking of calories in/calories out is the best way to lose weight - so if you want to go for other foods, go for it!

Also - have you ever used Spark People online? I really like that site! :)

The battle of the bulge - I'm with ya there!

Sturgmom said...

You can do it!!! I've fallen off my low-cal eating wagon for the last few days (maybe 2 weeks? Wow- where did the time go? ;) ) but I'm getting started RIGHT NOW! You'll do fine. Just make your plan and stick to it!

Kathy B! said...

Here's my secret: peppermint. You know the red and white striped circular peppermints. Whenever you are really hungry suck on one of those. It's sort of like eating right after you brush your teeth and for some reason it kills my feeling of hunger. And I don't think they count as carbs, so bonus!

Kathy B! said...

Here's my secret: peppermint. You know the red and white striped circular peppermints. Whenever you are really hungry suck on one of those. It's sort of like eating right after you brush your teeth and for some reason it kills my feeling of hunger. And I don't think they count as carbs, so bonus!

Anonymous said...

Dieting sucks as much as long distance. And I've done both.

Good luck!!

Connie said...

Last diet I followed was just to have small portions and exercise more. Snacked only on raw veggies and made naughty stuff verrry inconvenient to find. Kept my hands too busy to snack. Lost what I wanted and more - then got pregnant. oops. I haven't made time to diet since and really should. I'm starting to do the same thing again. I quit smoking cold turkey with the 'keep too busy to notice' method too. Best of luck while hubby is away, and even after that!!!

Betty said...

I FEEL you pain! I am totally like you and have no willpower either!
Especially when the hubby is gone and no one is looking....watch out!
Hope you succeed!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

You are a stronger woman than I am! Congratulations ahead of time, as you sound pretty determined. I'd send some healthy recipes your way, but I have no idea what the South Beach diet allows, so I won't torture you with things you can't have. Good luck!

Alicia @ Oh2122 said...

I totally could have written this. I also see those trips as my own personal vacation time. And I seem to have lost my willpower in a snow drift in my back yard...

Hang in there, and treat yourself to some carb-free girly fabulousness while the man is away!

Pseudo said...

Wishing you the best on the diet. I have very little ability to stick to a diet. But I don't mind exercising.

My hubs works oppostie hours from me. It helps with the annoying factor too.

theUngourmet said...

I love carbs! I don't crave sweets too much. It is the salty snacks and breads that I would have a hard time giving up! Hang in there, you can do it!

Grace said...

Hi, it is so nice to be in your blog. I enjoyed reading your post. I'm sure you are excited on what will your hubby's gift this time. :)

Kathy said...

You can do it girlfriend - I know you can! I find it nearly impossible to say "no" to carbs, but you have inspired me to try again, especially since the heavy sweater weather in Utah is passing.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Remember me? Your twin? I was just thinking that I need to get myself back on Atkins. After the girl scout cookies have made their way through my house and adhered to my hips. Then it will be time. Of course it's past time...but let's not go there...

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Ahh, so true. I found you from WENDA, and loved this post. (and the pics from the ones below)
I have zero will power without hubs around. And no carbs? I'd rather die. Good luck!

Carebear said...

OMG, I can so relate to this. Hubby and I did South Beach before I had kids (what I wouldn't give to have that body back again - why was I dieting?) I'm 5 months postpartum and keep starting the 2 week detox, but never make it more than a few days! And, my dh is also away right now, so the only thing to do after the kids are asleep in pig out! I actually just stopped by to introduce myself as a new SITSa and invite you over to “Two Under Two. Whew!” for my super-fun-and-little-bit-silly giveaways, one of which is tied to our fellow SITSa, BlogBaby! You could win a collection from Tiny Two’s Baby Animals line, or some chocolate covered pretzels (only 100 calories per serving, but pure delicious carbs)! See you around the blogosphere friend!

Unknown said...

You can do it! I'm going through the same thing right now. Lack of will power sucks! My goal is to rock a bikini on my 38th birthday - 2 months from now. Well see...

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Anonymous said...

I so understand how hard that would be - hubby away and no chocolate. Hmmm... Well - good luck! I know you can do it!

Megan said...

Oh man! Good luck!

Right now I should be there with you (dieting) but I'm totally slacking! I need to get the motivation back.

AndreaLeigh said...

girl, bless you for your willpower. I have none. south beach is brutal. i never can move past phase one bc the impulse for bread and pasta overwhelms me and I turn into a raging bitch.

Veronica said...

You prompted me to write about an article I read and had been "too busy" to get back to ... good luck, I found it takes about a week to get the sugar fed carb cravings out of the system and actually start "tasting" the food. Hang in there!

Unknown said...

@Veronica
That maybe depends on your addiction ;)
I did the Atkins 2 years ago and after 4 weeks I was still graving sweets.
I had little ice cubes with Diet Soda as a Snack replacement :)

Hi! I'm Janola. said...

YOU CAN DO IT
YOU CAN DO IT
YOU CAN
YOU CAN.

Hey, I'm proud of you! I know I've gained a lot of lbs on this trip and have started to at least watch my portions and use the stairs. My bout with dysentery in India helped me lose 3 inches (srsly).

I don't recommend bacterial infections as a diet aid, though.

Hope you don't mind if I use you as an inspiration to keep myself reined in!!