Friday, October 24, 2008

Snack size M & Ms may not be the best snack

Dieting around Halloween time can be difficult. I shouldn't have bought the candy until the night of Halloween so I could have gotten rid of it quickly. But I'm a sucker for a good deal...especially a CVS or Walgreens deal. I love those stores. So, when CVS put M & Ms on sale the same week the paper had a $1 off coupon...I prepared for Halloween early. 2 bags of snack size M & Ms for two bucks? That's a deal.

We've had a crazy busy week that started off on Sunday with the baptism of my 15 month old. I haven't even posted the pics of that yet, so you know how busy I've been. We celebrated that event with a nice dinner out at Pappadeaux's Seafood Kitchen. I was determined to "be good", so I ordered blackened catfish with a side of grilled zucchini.

But then the devil himself appeared at our table. He was in the form of a bread basket of course. With a side of real whipped butter. We had 17 guests and I swear the waiter brought out a bread tray for each and every one of us. I couldn't let it go to waste. It went to my waist instead.

Warm crusty bread with whipped butter.

Not a huge problem. Except for my mindset. When I've had a "cheat" like that, the day is blown for me. I hadn't eaten that much food in one setting in a couple of months. So dinner was no problem. Jerry and I even had a date that night and I could barely eat. I was still full.

But then about 10:00 PM I swung by the Halloween candy bowl. I thought to myself...hmm...I've already blown the diet for the day...a little snack wouldn't hurt. I opened a snack size peanut M & M's and quickly ate them. All six of them. Seriously. Six M & M's...that is hardly a snack.

You know that when you find yourself irritated and wanting to call the candy makers late at night to complain about the size of their snack bags, you are clearly mad at yourself for your lack of self control.

Anyway, I survived, decided not to weigh myself for a few days, and the week continued.

So did my "snacking".

I have a part-time job that I do from home. For a long time it has been easy to manage and I rarely go into the office. Recently though my hours have increased from 15 to closer to 25 weekly. With little childcare, it has become more stressful.

This week one of the other girls was on vacation and I was asked to help even more due to her absence. Quickly my little at home job turned into more of a monster. And to top things off I got called into the office two times this week for meetings. I usually go in twice in a month...so twice in one week was a stretch. The second of the meetings delivered some important news. I am needed full time. Not full time from home though. They want my presence at the office full time. They gave me 30 days to decide.

It took Jerry about 30 seconds to decide for me. Our desire is for me to be able to focus on the kids during these early formative years. Putting them in someone else's care 10-12 hours a day so I could do a long commute to work and make almost nothing after taxes, gas money, and the $390 a week daycare bill...just isn't worth it.

I get paid well, but to pay over $20,000 annually in childcare? Is it just me, or is that outlandish?

I'm in angst about communicating our decision to my employer. We can tighten the purse strings and make it. It just feels wrong not taking an opportunity when you know so many people are without work. I guess I'm just going to look at it like we're allowing someone else the shot at a new job...someone who may need it more than we do.

So the stress has continued...and along the way I needed some "snacks". Although somehow in the madness I convinced myself that two snack size M & Ms were clearly necessary due to the obvious packaging size error.

I realize this is a totally pathetic Fit Friday/Hot for the Holidays post.

My report:
Work outs---NONE.
Eating---healthy except for downing an entire loaf of bread with butter and enjoying multiple "snack" size M & M packages.
Weight---STEADY! Yay! I didn't lose, but I am actually just relieved that i didn't gain.

There is hope in sight. Jade woke up before 6AM with a stomach virus. So I'm thinking by the time it ravages the family, I will have a weight loss to report next week.

Hey, you've got to take it...in no matter what form it comes.

It's not too late to get Hot for the Holidays...join the fun at It's Almost Naptime!

And don't forget to check back here for my blogoversary giveaway. Starbucks makes great "skinny" drinks. I should have it up late Sunday or early Monday.

12 comments:

Membership Required said...

You do gotta "take it". Love that you wrote that because heck a pound is a pound right. Good luck in week two of Fit Friday. I'll be checking in on you next friday.

One More Equals Four said...

I blew it this week, too! Somehow I manged to lose a pound, but I think that is quite possibly because of the time of day I weighed myself. I did get in exercise this week but ate HORRIBLE! Anyway, good luck next week!

The Sullivan Sitcom said...

Stress and making decisions, yikes, that makes me want to eat for you! I totally think you are making the right choice for your family.

I think after a week like that, you deserved those M&M's.

This will be an even better week for you! Good luck my friend!

Brittany said...

We get to start again today. We can do it!!!

Posh Mama said...

Hey its a new week! Good luck in week 2! This week is gonna be a good one, I can feel it!

Jackie said...

Pappadeauxs Seafood Kitchen is my primary love language. Just thinking of their fondue with garlic bread is enough to make me want to forget this diet business. :) I was SO happy when they finally came to NM.

I think that holding steady is an absolute victory...that has been the main thing I've been holding on to these past 4 months or so. I might not lose a whole lot, but AT LEAST I DIDN'T GAIN. :) And Halloween will soon be past, and you can put the candy behind you.

Sarah said...

I work from home as well. I agree that it is challenging sometime, but I love it. My prayers are with you. I know it must be stressful so hang in there.

It's the start of another week, so hang in there. You can do this!

Christina said...

i have been working a little bit at home recently with makenna here. i don't know how you do it! she is SO needy when she knows i am working and i feel guilty! i am impressed you have been able to do it. good luck on the job situation. is it all or none? would u be completely out of a job? well that predicatment probably means more candy eating is in your future.

The Smiths said...

M&Ms are a killer - and almost always justifiable in my book! :) I'm with you - once I've blown it for the day, might as well make it a good one!

Anonymous said...

Good for you Kerri. I know God will bless your decision to put your family first.

Katelin said...

oh my goodness..i love your blog! (i read your first post before your fit friday..it totally sounds like what it will be like when my husband and i have a little one..sheets on the front porch..too funny) good luck next week, you can do it!

Alana said...

Some weeks not gaining really is a victory. I totally get that. I think this week will be like that for me after our little trip. It is so hard to diet while traveling!

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