My Treat

The Treat Jar!

Alright, I got some sleep last night after what was a rough day yesterday (please refer to yesterday's cranky post for more information).  I am much better today and I certainly hope this post will reflect it!  And, I should admit up front, I am mostly just bragging about something I created which I am pretty proud of.

Most people in my life are aware I have been working really hard to loose the excess weight I spent most of my life finding.  It has been quite an experience and the finish line is very much in sight.  This makes me happy.  So very happy.  But it has not be easy.  In fact it has been rather hard.  It takes a great deal of my time and energy.  As someone I work with said to me not too long ago, "it is just so much easier being fat!"  Agreed.  Loosing weight can feel like a full time job.  There are constantly obstacles to defeat.  And I have discovered my number one obstacle is my urge to snack on something sweet.

Most weight loss experts will say one of the best ways to over-come a snacking urge is to wait 15 minutes from the first moment of wanting to reach for something.  If after 15 minutes you still want to eat something, either pick something healthy, or go for it.  It is alright to have snacks!  This works well, but those can be a really LONG 15 minutes.  I needed more help.  First, I combated my obstacle by only keeping healthy food in the house.  If what I have available to me is only healthy, that can't be too bad right?  Well, for the most part it worked pretty well.  I had to learn more about portion control, but I was satisfied.  However, it only really worked when I was actually hungry and not eating because I was bored or nervous.  What about those times?

Next I tried to just ignore the snacking urge.  Distraction worked for awhile.  If you recall my obsession with cooking shows from the post a couple of weeks ago, I am pretty sure I used those shows as a way to think about food and not over-eat.  However, I have given up television (hard to believe but true!).  So, now what?  How can I fight my craving and not re-find my lost weight?

Introducing...The Treat Jar!  Completely fat and sugar free, and guaranteed to satisfy!!!  Looking for a quick fix to your snacking crave?  Just reach in and pull out the perfect little treat!  When you are done, put it right back and go on with your day, smiling with the satisfaction you can only find in...The Treat Jar! *CUE FAKE AUDIENCE APPLAUSE*

Yes, my invention is the treat jar.  I didn't want to give up my uber cute cookie jar, so I filled it with pieces of brightly colored paper and written on them are up-lifting and inspiration phrases.  Most of them are direct quotes from people who have commented on my weight loss ("You look great!"  "Keep it up!")  Others are ones I made up ("You ROCK!")  My favorite is: "Remember the red dress."  I have a dream of a fun red dress which I will buy when I reach my goal weight.  When I want to snack, but I know I am not actually hungry, I just pull out one of my brightly colored treats and satisfy my craving and over-come my snacking obstacle.

Like I said, this post is mostly about bragging on my invention.  Seriously, I am pretty impressed with myself.  Feel free to copy!  And come back tomorrow as I reflect on my new desk and how I am pretty sure it makes me smarter.