(Yay for WiFi!)
Ugh.
Ugggggh.
I fell off the wagon tonight.
One thing I admit and understand about my eating patterns is that I have a HORRIBLE time eating well at family special occasions, especially if it’s someone else’s family and there are new foods for me to sample. And new desserts. This acknowledgment is one of my few obstacles in eating healthy, and I’m really going to work on it! What I’ve found works in the past is to make it through just ONE event eating like it’s a normal day. Once I break this barrier than it gets easier and easier to remember how I felt that day and think about that when I’m tempted to indulge. Unfortunately I’m not there yet with this type of event (I used to be the way eating in restaurants and at other types of special events, which have always been my trigger). More on dinner later…
Let’s Start With Lunch
Made it from 7:30 to 12:30 with no snacks or hunger. My oatmeal concoction is really amazing. I think the omega-3’s in the walnuts have secret powers, seriously.
My husband’s aunt owns a bagel shop (Hot Bagel Co. for you Tennesseans) and they have GREAT bagels!!! We stopped in for lunch on the house. I ordered the vegetarian with Havarti, tomato and sprouts on an oat bagel. I also had a small spinach salad and hot tea. I wanted to only eat 3/4 of my sandwich but I went ahead and ate the whole thing. My aunt-in-law says the bagels are lower in calorie because they make them all natural and boil them, which is their signature cooking method. It was a delicious bagel, and hopefully not as high as Panera etc.’s bagels.
For dessert I had 1/2 of a homemade cashew cluster.
Afternoon Cooking
We spent the afternoon cooking turkey, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese and soup. I nibbled off the veggies and tried to get some water in. Then my uncle-in-law showed up with homemade bread – I forgot what it’s called, but it’s got Grand Marnier-soaked dried fruit in it and was SOOOOO good. He also brought a coffee cake-like bread, which I also sampled. I felt gross after eating these in the middle of the afternoon, after a bagel. But these were both “worth it” as homemade breads from the family bakery at Christmastime.
Here’s one of a few bites
Grilled root veggies!
Dinner
When we sat down to dinner, I figured I had about 600 calories left to eat about 1800 for the day. Not too bad and definitely doable! I actually did pretty well at dinner and managed to resist seconds. I knew dessert was coming and didn’t want to waste calories on seconds to just make me full. And I did pretty well getting small portions. No alcohol either, so that made things easy!
- Mac and cheese
- Turkey with gravy
- Southern greens
- Sweet potato mini muffin
- Cornbread dressing
- Roasted veggies
- Marshmallow sweet potatoes
- Granola-topped cranberry sauce
- Creamed corn
Plus butternut squash and apple soup:
Dessert
But then disaster struck. Coconut cake. Bourbon balls. Cookies. I LOVE coconut cake!!! I ate about 6 bourbon balls, 2 cookies, 1 bite chocolate pound cake, 1 real slice and 2 small pieces of cake, 2 bites pound cake. Maybe more?? Bad. bad, Kath.
My first plate….
And the second….
Total Saturday calories: 2,500 – 3,000????
The Good News
I had a really good time.
I eat healthy 95% of the time, one day of eating sugar, butter and fat is not going to kill me.
Tomorrow is a new day. I’ll get back on track first thing in the morning!
Night!
SawSaw says
Dear Kath,
I am proud of you for splurging and not feeling too guilty. You are a great role model because you preach moderation. It is almost just as unhealthy to be manic about calorie counting ALL THE TIME as it is to binge eat–moderation is really the path to salvation 😉 I want to thank you for showing that everyone needs to "fall of the wagon" and then have the strength to get back on.
-SawSaw
Christie says
Kath
I think part of being human is the regonize we dont have to be perfect and I am sure if you saw each one of our plates when we go to getherings it would be the same. I think it is important not to restrict and once we learn that balance it is much easier to have "control" in these situations. I also struggle with the same dessert issue in these situations and have gained confidence in getting through events without totally going over board but not depirving myself as well. I am glad you enjoyed yourself and I think it is healthy to allow yourself some freedom
Brenda says
I agree with the comments above in that sometimes we just have to let go of the guilt. Those big family dinners are few and far between so it is nice that you were able to enjoy yourself knowing that you are a HEALTHY person and you're good the other 95% of the time!
Elle says
As a longtime devoted reader I can remember that the last time you splurged like this was…your birthday, correct? Which, I think, was a really long time ago! You always talk about these rare special occasions as your weakness but I think they're your strength! It's important to let go of food worries sometimes, and to enjoy the environment around you without stress! The fact that you do it so rarely, when surrounded by family, and on special occasions is a testament to the fact that you are uber healthy WITHOUT being totally psycho about it. Most importantly, you seemed to really enjoy what you splurged on and that's great. Oh, and PS, thanks again for the Sonoma recommendations! We tried to stay in Heraldsburg after your last set of tips but the Four Sisters Inn there was booked. We'll definitely swing up there though. And I checked out your honeymoon wrap up which was FULL of useful tips. I am DYING to go to Cyrus for New Years Eve but there is pretty much zero chance of convincing Garrett. You're so lucky to have a foodie husband!
Sarah says
Don't feel guilty! Whats done is done, and its better not to stress over it.
I'm in school to be an RD right now, myself, and I've really put a lot of thought and practice into what people psychologically go through when faced with an endless array of desserts. For many of us, its only a 'once in a blue moon' type of thing and is pretty much harmless. But for others, many people face this on a daily basis at the office or if family members cook a lot/buy desserts, and so forth.
In other words, when I face desserts like this, I put myself through the same psychological thing that everyone goes through (we're all human! even us health nuts of the world! ;), so you know what works and what doesn't work as far as saying "no I've had enough."
Its always interesting, and I figure it will probably help when someday we're RD's and counseling people…:)
ashle18 says
I have to say it was such a relief to read this! I've had a bad couple of days (yesterday and 2 days ago) and woke up this morning feeling like crap and depressed. I did get a good workout in and am eating a pretty good breakfast right now. 🙂 That helps me feel better, but also seeing that no on e is perfect and that I don't need to beat myself up over it; just know that tomorrow is a new day and I can do better! You are really an inspiration. Thank you!! 😀 ps…I also love all your great meal ideas! Keep up the great work. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. 🙂
Anonymous says
I agree that it is good to see that you splurge once in a while.. I find your blog VERY encouraging and I am excited to read it everyday! I was just wondering if you had the recipe for the butternut and apple soup.. that looks amazing! I don't know if you made it or not but I would love to try it sometime!
Justy2003 says
Glad I'm not the only one who splurged yesterday! 🙂 I had a Christmas party and there was so much good food and yummy desserts, I just couldn't pass it up. Oh, and the wine. Oh well…today's a new day and I'll be sure to get back into the healthy lifestyle I lead like nothing ever happened! We all need days like this…they help keep us sane! Just as long as it's not too frequent 😉
Thanks for sharing…I love your blog and how you share your thoughts behind the foods you eat. I've learned a lot by reading your blog everyday!
Alicia says
Hi Kat,
Don't worry about it as Christmas only comes by once a year although it feels alot more as there is always more than one christmas dinner.
You are doing SO well and I find your blog very inspirational and interesting.
I understand that we need to eat right most of the time but I usually try to enjoy myself during gatherings with my boyfriend's family. Their dinners are always extravagant and full of food. It's super easy to overeat and his dad is always plying us with more wine. I don't really enjoy alcohol but the wines are always fantastic since his dad is a wine connoisseur.
Tonight is one of those nights and I did pretty good. Didn't stuff myself during dinner as I wanted to save room for dessert. There were like 3 kinds of dessert so I chose one and also ate fruits like watermelon, mango and grapes.
Patricia says
Hi Kath!
The dinner looks yummy, I think it was completely worth it to splurge!
I just got home for the holidays… and I completely splurged last night with all the good home cooking.
Have a good Sunday!
mags says
your perspective on days like this is SO refreshing and inspirational! keep up the FABULOUS work… you really are a blessing!
Alex says
If there are people in the world who would not fall off the wagon for coconut cake that looks THAT GOOD, I do not want to meet them.
Drool…
stephanie says
yum yum dinner! thanks for sharing!
Rachel says
Mmm…that coconut cake looks heavenly. The way that you're immediately getting back on track is exactly how people are able to indulge occasionally and not backtrack/gain weight. You're very inspiring.
Kath says
Thanks for all the support guys!!!!
Kath
Buzz says
Yes, you make me feel better about the delicoius piece of red velvet cake I ate at the reception following our church Christmas concert.