Thanksgiving break(down)

Hi.
I missed you all.

I feel like two seconds ago I was all, “Hey, I got the end of the semester in the bag. This is gonna be noooo problem.” And then next thing I know, I’m driving home at like 11:30 on a Sunday night with homework that’s not done and eyelids that need to be taped open and the strong desire not to know how few hours of sleep I’m about to get and WOW, GUYS. What happened?!

I’m tired and need to catch up on sleep (ha, yeah right) so this post is going to be a bit messy but here goes.

Where’s the wagon?

I’ve fallen off the wagon pretty damn hard, to the point of not even being sure I know where the wagon is anymore. Between hot cocoa and cookies I’ve somehow lost my sense of nutritional direction. Yes, I was thrilled to be done with Paleo and so I went on a bit of a carb and sugar bender, but I expected to correct myself and head back in the right direction.

But I’d be lying if I said my friend didn’t bust me walking down the hall at work with not one but two pieces of pie the other day.

Yes, everything in moderation, but when I make bad choices, I have a really hard time hitting the brakes.

And between school and work and weekend plans and this damn Wisconsin weather and sore body parts, I haven’t been going to CrossFit or the gym much in the past two weeks. And I feel all sad and guilty and lazy as a result, and so I turn to food, subconsciously thinking it’ll perk me up. But the last thing I need to do when I’m not burning calories is to be consuming a whole bunch of bad ones.

I need some rules

The same friend who mean-mugged me when I walked by with pie wants a buddy to help her be healthier. And I’m your girl for that! But I’ve learned something about myself, and that is that I tend to do better when I have some guidelines. If not, food tends to turn into a free-for-all for me.

So, here are my rules (a.k.a. Operation: Get My Act Together):

What about Thanksgiving?

While I’m apt to let myself have this day as a free-for-all, I know that’s not a good idea. So, I’m going to eat regular meals before I leave (so I’m not starved when I get there). Then I’m going to let myself have whatever I want — within reason.

That means being choosy about the appetizers and meal items so I only eat what I really like, not everything just because it’s sitting in front of me. Reasonable portions (yes, even mashed potatoes), dessert included but not overloaded.

I’ll sit and eat my pie in peace, ignore any questions from my family about how a future dietitian can eat sweets, and just appreciate the deliciousness of it all.

Not a bad plan, eh?