Thursday, January 8, 2009

If it takes 21 days to make a habit.....

how many days does it take to break a habit?


These past few months, inspired by some blogs I read, I have given myself some 30 day challenges. Each month is a challenge that promotes a healthier lifestyle. I planned to carry over each challenge indefinitely each month.

In October, I gave up candy and chips. -- (check)

In November, I began to eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day in addition to continuing October's goal.-- (check)

In December, I gave myself a break and decided to just maintain October's and November's goal. (mostly check -- I missed one day of 5 fruits/veggies getting only 3 and I succumbed on two different occasions to peanut butter balls and truffles)

In January, I have given myself the goal of not snacking food off my children's plates.

I broke that January first at 10 a.m. when I was cutting Captain Destruction's waffles. The next day I broke it again when I snacked off his plate at dinner. Again the next day, and the next day. It is now January 7th and I have still not made one day without snacking off my child's plate!

What is wrong with me? Why can't I keep my hands off my children's food?

(I would like to note that I am not stealing the food out of their mouths. With the exception of the waffle incident, I "sample" after it is apparent that the food no longer interests them and I am not a "you must clean your plate" parent)

Perhaps I am acting out unconsciously because there are starving children in 3rd world countries that could be eating that food.

Perhaps, I am being frugal because I do all the shopping and I know how much that meal cost and throwing away food is like throwing away money.

Perhaps, I am saving a trip to the kitchen for a second helping because it is sitting right there on my child's plate, leaving food for my older children to take in their school lunches the next day saving me the "I don't know what to pack in my lunch." drama.

Perhaps, I just have no self control....

What, that can't be me?! I have self control. I drink water not soda or coffee. I don't eat chips or candy. I eat at least 5 fruits or vegetables each day (usually in their natural state). I exercise 6 days a week, usually at 5 a.m. I follow my workout plans. I don't kick puppies. I like old people. I follow Meg's rules for society -- I don't cut in line and I don't steal Christmas trees.

I HAVE SELF CONTROL...


Well..... considering that outburst coupled with my last post,

Perhaps, I don't.

Confession.... Actually, I know that I don't. I buy the little lunch bags of chips because then I will not eat them. I will not open a new bag of chips. I don't buy cookies -- (notice that I have not given up "baked goods" yet -- just keeping my options open) An open package of cookies is like a $20 bill in the middle of the sidewalk. You snatch that bugger up and pocket it before anyone notices. I have excellent covert mid-day cookie snacking techniques.

I know that I just need to get a couple of days under my belt of non-child-plate-snacking and I will be on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, there is no 7 step program nor patch that I can use. It is all on me.

Who knew that this would be the hardest challenge yet?

No comments: