sabotage.....

Sabotage

If you have attempted to lose weight--whether successful or not--you know the stress you face

in changing behavior patterns. Information on calories and healthy foods does not address

key challenges to successful dieting.

Sabotage

People who care about you may work against your weight loss. Perhaps because they feel insecure about their role in your changing lifestyle or because they genuinely want to reward your efforts, they offer high-calorie treats that work against achieving your weight-loss goals. To develop skills to identify and

combat diet sabotage, ask members of the weight-loss support group to share their strategies for dealing with sabotage. Alternatively, invite a speaker with experience in assertiveness training to present approaches on how to stand for your goals in a firm but non-confrontational way.

Self Sabotage....

...even worse. We start a new diet with the very best of intentions. We know we picked a good program. We’re excited. We’re stocked up on the program essentials. We even manage to do well for a few days (maybe even a couple of weeks).

Then the shoe falls. Our resolve wanders. We almost look for an excuse to cheat.

On one hand, you know you can do this. You know a strong 14 days free of temptation will garner you the best chance of success. So, what do you instead? Make a date with your pals at the new place with a free Happy Hour buffet and $1 beers.

You rationalize that you “deserve” it. Convince yourself that friends will bolster you with support, although you vague suspect probably not. Lastly, you promise yourself to stick to 1, OK 2 at most, Michelob Lights. Yeah, but it didn’t quite turn out that way, did it?

We’re only human. It surely doesn’t help that there’s a McDonalds, Burger King or Pizza Hut on every corner. Calling at us like an epic siren, we turn into the drive-thru . Our brain tells us to order bunless cheeseburger or grilled chicken salad, but our mouths spurt out “Big Mac & Diet Coke”. Of course Diet Coke, we’re on a diet!

And we’ve failed. Again. Why do we do this to ourselves?

Personally, I think its akin to the emotional reasons we eat, whether we’re actually hungry or not. The next time you’re standing in front of the fridge, door swung wide open, staring in a blank trance as if some magical 0 cal 0 carb delicious delight will suddenly appear — take solace that your dieting sisters and brothers are joining you the world over.

Self examination is the key. What’s going on inside? What are we furiously trying to bury under the wrong foods and poor choices? What are we afraid of? That we might not be able to blame personal failures on being fat anymore? Maybe we’re nervous about sudden attention and flirting from the opposite sex? Or … maybe we just don’t want it bad enough?

One “fix” is journaling. Yes, guys, even you. You’ve heard confession is good for the soul. Well, it’s true. None of us are free from doubt, remorse, “what ifs” or guilt. Why aren’t I a better spouse? Why aren’t I further in my career? Will my kids turn out OK? Will my bonus come in time for the property tax bill? Committing these feelings and insecurities can help.

Peanut Butter Noodles

Serves 2

2 bags shirataki noodles
1/2 cup Silk Unsweetened Almond Soy Milk
2 tablespoons PB2 powdered peanut butter
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1-2 teaspoons ketchup
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
1 t lime juice
1 pkt Splenda
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
pinch dried red pepper flakes

Spray small sauce pan with butter flavored cooking spray and place fresh garlic in first for a few seconds. Add in everything except shirataki noodles. Stir with wooden spoon to mix all ingredients.

Wash shirataki noodles with hot/warm water in spaghetti strainer about 3 times, then take about a paper towel and wrap around noodles and squeeze hard. Repeat 2 more times.

Place noodles in pan with sauce and stir while flipping the noodles to a bit to get the sauce on each noodle evenly. Cut noodles finely with cooking scissors because they’re slippery and could cause you to choke if you try to eat them like regular pasta.

Cook everything on low for 2-3 minutes. Enjoy alone or you can add in cooked chicken breast. If you’re only using 1 bag of noodles then cut other ingredients in half. Enjoy!

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 65
Carbs: 7 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Fat: 2 grams