Last Sunday, I made the unpopular decision not to go to the Super Bowl party friends were throwing across town.
My friend Bev was super understanding when she received my text… and while I completely appreciate it, it got me thinking. Am I missing out?
As someone who has been on a diet for (what feels like) 41 years, I think it’s quite possible that I am. When we use the Super Bowl as an example, I’m not that torn up by the decision to not go to the game today. I’m not big on football, so I won’t be missing the event as a whole. I do long for the freedom to participate in food related events without pause.
I rarely order burgers. I avoid fries like the plaque. I walk away from cupcakes, and I *try* to say no after two glasses of rosé. I’m always the one with the healthy dish at the party.
While I prefer veggies and dip to southwestern egg rolls, I am human and love a good pile of nachos from time to time. I’ve called bullshit on the “everything in moderation” notion that so many people throw around because moderating for me is complicated. I don’t know that I’ll ever trust myself with a bag of chips, for example. I mean, sure you could eat one serving, but three servings is so delicious… I usually find myself there.
Additionally, if I had a dollar for every time people say to just go to a party and eat from the veggie and fruit tray…
That same veggie tray is usually sitting right next to the crockpot full of sweet and spicy meatballs and the spinach dip (you know, the good one that is built in a bread bowl.) No one wants to go to a party and just eat the fruits and veggies. We can do it. I’ve done it many a time… but it’s super tough.
What’s more likely to happen for me is walking out of the party disappointed. I’m often disappointed because I didn’t stick to that veggies, fruit, and water only regime that I pre-planned and I deviated from the mantra I told myself on the way. I mean, fruit, water, and veggies… that’s not realistic for me. Sure, it works sometimes but about 98% of the time, I just don’t have it in me.
So, sometimes, I skip events like this. In the end, I get closer to achieving my goals, and I look in the mirror not kicking myself for not having willpower over a ridiculous serving of chips and french onion dip that I *had* to have.
Well, boneless buffalo wings and queso, you win this round. And, I’m ok with that. I woke up the Monday after the super bowl feeling a-ok, and with a lot less self-sabotage in my weekend recap.
2018 is going to be a big one for me, and I’ve got big goals. I’m going to stumble along the way, just like anyone does who’s working to achieve great things… but I’m also planning on doing this.
So, skipping the super bowl, worked for me this year. In 2019, I may have a new strategy, but for now… I’m pretty damn proud of myself (and those Eagles!)