Celebrate Small Victories

Instead of focusing on how bad I want the things I cannot have or making me feel bad for eating the leftover pizza scraps off my kid’s plate or having that bite of stuffing the day after Thanksgiving, I repeat my victories in my head.

They may not look like much to the untrained eye, but believe me each was a battle fought hard and WON!

• I held an Krispy Kreme donut in my hand and fed my kids WITHOUT even licking my fingers
  
• I went to a party and didn’t drink any alcohol or eat any food I wasn’t supposed to have…. and I had FUN!
  
• I went out to eat at a restaurant and didn’t touch the delicious smelling bread with the temptress oils and cheese for dipping. I ordered a salmon salad over pasta at a past place….. and it was truly DELECIOUS.
  
• I ate a Challenge approved Holiday dinner consisting of a salad, small piece of steak, green beans, cauliflower, sweet potato and lobster...... WITHOUT and butter!
  
• I didn’t eat a brownie for dessert, even after cutting them and serving them to the kids. I ate apple slices instead.
  
• I have passed up coffee every single day when my husband has the house smelling so good.
  
• I went through a drive thru and ordered food for the entire car without ordering anything but water for myself because I had already eaten a really good turkey and avocado Ezekiel wrap for dinner.
  
• I went to Midnight Boot camp on Thanksgiving when technically it was my last night before the Challenge and I could have stuffed myself silly and drank Wild Turkey all night with the family.
  
• I went for 45 minute walks outside both in the cold dark and during snow flurries just so I didn’t feel guiltily about not getting my exercise in.
  
• I also went to the YMCA in the pouring rain late at night before they closed when I would have rather stayed tucked up in my warm bed.
  
• I got up early on a Saturday when everybody in my house was temporarily inconvenienced by my absence to attend the 7:00am Challenge meeting and 9:00am Co-Ed Boot Camp…. and I was so happy I did. It was a wonderfully inspiring meeting and kick ass workout. My day couldn’t have started out better even if I had gotten to sleep in!
  
• I found an old Kit Kat from Halloween in my couch and didn’t eat it.
  
• I am able to comfortably wear clothes that were too tight just one week ago!
  My Dad has been going strong for over a week now, even shopping for fresh food he likes and skipping sweets. My Mom is even more considerate to what we’re trying to do, planning the afore mentioned Holiday Dinner menu for us.
  
• I didn’t get any popcorn, nachos, or mixed drinks while attending a concert at the awesome YUM Center.