We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.

Romans 5:3 NLT

The great thing about this plan is that the food is easy. It is prepackaged, I choose five items to eat that day and then a sixth lean and green meal that I prepare. What I didn’t expect was on day 8 to have bad cravings and feel hungry again. I will confess I splurged and got me a Diet Vanilla Pepsi on day 8 and 9. I felt bad after but oh it tasted soooo good!

I talked to my health coach and she talked about the “food breakup”. Basically my mind was playing tricks on me and telling me you need to have this so you aren’t hungry. It was saying you miss this food!! There was a small part of me after having that Diet Pepsi that thought, surely one meal wouldn’t hurt. Those fries he’s eating can’t be that big of a deal.

I got myself back on plan and then…Super Bowl hit. I had my day already planned out to help me from indulging in the food I was preparing for the guys. That went out the window at mozzarella sticks. I didn’t overeat, which is an accomplishment in itself, but I had given into my cravings again. I needed that immediate gratification. The following morning my hands, feet, and face were swollen and bloated. Of course it was also my weigh in and measurement day. While the measurements showed I had lost some inches, the scale said I had gained two pounds. I was so disappointed in myself. I contacted my coach and we both thought it may be related to my sodium intake and that I probably was retaining water. My game plan was to drink water that day and to stay on plan. I did. I felt good and when I weighed myself today, I had lost those two pounds!

This detour left me with two choices. I could:

1. Give up and go back to my old habits
2. Get back on track and move forward

I chose the latter, and that may have been the first time in any weight loss journey that I didn’t give up and give in.

Failure is no longer an option for me. I have confidence in myself and the encouragement from others to conquer obesity, to eliminate my risks, and to live a healthy life.

Messy blessings,

Misty