Cravings

In the pursuit of health, David and I are giving up a lot when it comes to our food selection. No steaming, greasy, pepperoni-covered pizzas; no Clucks and Fries from Red Robin; and certainly no Moose Track ice cream. 

Because of our food revamp, we have been craving a lot of what has been replaced with salad and lean meat. I can't even tell you how many times we've turned to each other and said we have wanted Taco Bell, popcorn, or David's special request, Big Macs.

Are you starting to get an idea of how we were eating before we started eating better? It is no wonder we are unhappy about our weight. Open any cupboard in my kitchen or the refrigerator and you'd see foods such as those listed above. When that is present in your life, especially as often as it was in ours, it is not a mystery where those extra pounds are coming from.

David and I recently evaluated our grocery budget and I was horrifed to see how much we were spending. I actually felt sick to my stomach over it. Here I thought we were doing well and sticking to the budget we had given ourselves. Little did I know, all those quick stops to the store on my way home from work or those late night drive thru's would add up SO quickly. I challenge you to evaluate your grocery budget more closely. Are you spending your money wisely? We use Mint. If you haven't tried it, I highly suggest you do. It's eye-opening. Really.

So, we made a change. We cut all of that out. We've had one cheat day based off an interesting 13-hour workday I had last week, but we regretted it immediately. I have had nearly 23 years, and David has had 27 years to eat and enjoy all of that bad food. Cutting bad food out is the consequence of our indulgences over our entire lives. 

We aren't planning on having kids for a few years, but when we do, we want to be good examples. I want to be the mom who is outside playing with her kids. Some of my favorite memories from growing up were playing basketball in the driveway or volleyball in the yard with my parents until it was so dark we either had to turn on the headlights of the car or bring out a light. They coached my YMCA volleyball teams for years. Dad taught me how to dribble a basketball through the trashcans lined up in the garage. Mom and Dad would be in the bleachers watching my games, even if I didn't get to play.

I do not want to be the parents watching and not able to participate. I want to be as involved in my kids' life as my parents were in mine. It all starts now. I can keep eating bad, keep gaining weight, and restrict myself to being an onlooker in my own family's life. Or, I can ignore those stupid cravings, get off the couch, and make this change in my life now so I can enjoy my life to the fullest everyday from here on out (with or without kiddos running around). The choice is simple.