Eating it will NOT change your life

Starbucks Cinnamon Chip Scone
480 calories, 18 grams of fat, 70 grams of carbs
11 Weight Watcher Points

Bruegger’s Western Bagel Sandwich
760 calories, 56 grams fat, 66 grams of carbs
20 Weight Watcher Points

Large Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha w/whipped Cream
660 calories, 22 grams fat, 100 grams of carbs
15 Weight Watcher Points

As we near the holidays especially I start to think about some of the things I used to eat – things that I once thought I could NOT live without. The things listed above. When I’d start to think about life without my dear, sweet, Cinnamon Chip Scone I would feel a tear slide out of the corner of my eye. Oh, and you cannot possibly expect me to go through a holiday season without the sweet sip of my beloved Peppermint, White Chocolate Mocha!

In the beginning when I started Weight Watchers I could easily slip a treat – OR TWO! – into my daily or weekly allowance. I was working the program. I was losing weight. I was having my treats and losing weight too. Life was good, and I was happy! I could do this, and didn’t HAVE to live without these things I felt I so desperately needed. Crisis Averted.

Fast forward about year… I had lost about 70 pounds, and while happy with my weight loss, I felt I could do more to improve my health. I also didn’t have 34 daily points anymore. See, as you lose weight – with Weight Watchers or any plan – your daily caloric intake decreases. Weigh less = need less food; simple science. Instead of getting 34 points a day I was getting about 26 points a day. It was becoming much harder to fit in my treats, so maybe instead of weekly I’d only indulge every 2 week s or so.

Fast forward another year to today. I only get 23 points a day, 11 points less than when I started. If you aren’t Weight Watcher’s aware an example of a 1 point food is an apple. I’ve certainly had to adjust my food intake in some BIG ways to account for the lesser quantity of food. And now, I find a funny thing has happened. I very rarely find myself being able to justify eating one of the items above. Does that mean I NEVER eat these things? Absolutely NOT, but it does mean that I eat them WAY less, AND the amazing thing is that I don’t care. Let me say that again:

I DON’T CARE!!!

I don’t care about missing out on a scone, or a white chocolate peppermint mocha. It doesn’t hold the same value to me as it once did. I’ve found substitutes that taste nearly as good for a mere fraction of the fat and calories. I’ve discovered that the General Foods International Coffee’s Peppermint Mocha is a mere 50 calories per serving, and with a little fat-free RediWhip, it satisfies my craving. I’ve also discovered VitaTops… 1 point of pure decadence.

But, I’ve discovered an even bigger secret. These foods will always be there. I am not going to miss out on something life changing if I don’t eat them. It isn’t going to make my life any less grand. Christmas won’t be ruined, Thanksgiving will still happen, and they’ll still hold the same sentiment they always did. Life will still go on! I’ve discovered that being able to run a 5k, wear a size 8, chase after a giggling 3 year old, and have obesity erased from my medical record, means way more than eating any of these things.

And I ALWAYS remember: “Eating it will NOT change your life, but NOT eating it will.”

– Ellen Fuhrer.

I can now stand in the truth of that statement… my life has been changed!