I guess I run now

So yesterday wasn’t bad. I could’ve done without the hot chocolate; in fact, I usually do without the afternoon snack altogether, which would’ve saved me 180 calories. Also, doing this forced me to look up how many calories in an ear of corn (small one this time, but usually I get bigger ears)…and that was alarming. I’m thinking back to Atkins & the damn thing really is more of a starch than a veggie. But I love corn in the summer, so I’ll just have to make allowances for those calories elsewhere.

Today should be quite a challenge. I have a seminar all morning. One of those seminars where they feed you pastries and fruit first. I’m skipping cereal & going to try to have only fruit, which should be easier to do since I’m blogging what I eat today. Then for lunch I’m meeting a friend at an Indian buffet (eh gads!). That’ll have to be the bulk of my calories for the day. Tonight another friend wanted to meet for drinks…I’m actually sitting here hoping that doesn’t happen because I don’t want the temptation. I need to be social (making friends from scratch is tough), but I wish these people would sugest a nice walk instead. No, I need to suggest a walk. & I need to make sure that this day ends with some quality time on the treadmill and/or a mat work or pilates video.

Breakfast: mixed fruits (200) & sm piece of cranberry bread (150)

Lunch: Indian buffet (about 1 cup misc chix korma & masala, 324; 1/2 cup rice, 320; 1/3 piece Naan, 200; total around 844 calories)

Snack:

Dinner: veggie chips & hummus (220) [subtotal 1410 so far]

Snack:fat/sugar free choc pudding (80) & coolwhip free (45), plus a midnight snack cause the hunger pangs were keeping me awake: 1 slice whole wheat bread toasted (40) and about 1/2 tablespoon of a lower sugar/sodium peanut butter–spreads thinner over warm bread (50)

Total: 1625!

Exercise: 30 minute walk with the dog
Lunch wasn’t too bad. My friend has been following the advice in a book titled Learn, and apparently one of the steps in the book is conscious eating (which it turns out is what I’ve been doing with my rules). We both reached for the smallest plates at the buffet, made a point of taking small spoonfuls of the chicken dishes (like 2-3 tablespoon portions), didn’t finish anything that we didn’t love (in my case, I wasn’t loving the spinach today, too spicy for me), and went back only once for a 1/2 plate refill.

We got to taste our favorites, but without going overboard, and I tend to act like I haven’t seen food in weeks when faced with a buffet situation.Despite our conservative approach to the buffet itself, lunch lasted nearly 2 hours, but the focus was on talking, not eating. We finished our plates, pushed them aside, and forgot all about the crazy food sitting in the steam table in the next room.

I really think that was a good experience for me to have at this point, and before my trip this weekend where I may encounter the dreaded buffet experience again. It was also nice to eat with someone else who shares my food issues and who is also doing something about it; although she and her partner have had a lot more success on their plan than I have so far, so I’m thinking of ordering the book she’s following.

As for drinks…I really appreciated Diamond Girl’s advice on that one, but I’m not happy with how I handled the situation. Instead of being honest with my friend, I made up an excuse to get out of going out. So now I feel like a real weazle. What worried me more than the alcohol was the time of day (close to dinner) & the fact that this friend loves really rich and decadent food to go along with her drinks. A drink with her is an excuse for an expensive and awesome meal that I normally wouldn’t have (especially with this month’s pay day still 1 day away!).

Of course, I’m meeting another friend for drinks tomorrow afternoon, but it’ll be in a brew pub where I know the menu (can afford it too) & where I know I can make good choices (great salads & a hummus platter).