Will Power

Camy here, playing off my title from my last blog post. Haha. Except this post isn’t very serious!

Here is the million dollar question: they sell everything else on eBay—why not will power, too????

So most of you know I’m on a weight loss kick. I joined SparkPeople.com and I’ve been steadily (albeit SLOWLY) losing weight. I just completed the Couch to 5K running program (Yayayayay!), but I’m still a bit frustrated.

Because my eating is still waaaaaay out of control.

I’ve been going way over my calorie count each day. Some days will be good days, but I have more overage days than underage days.

I tried eating carrot sticks instead of potato chips when I get the night time munchies. It wasn’t that helpful—I ate large quantities of both. Who knew that a pound of carrots is almost 200 calories? Although I guess that beats the number of calories in a teeny tiny ounce of potato chips. (Not that I only ate a teeny tiny ounce...)

My problem is that I DON’T HAVE A SWEET TOOTH. I’m serious. I usually crave salty foods over sweet foods. So lots of people have suggested things like sugar free hot chocolate and sugar free lollypops and fruit and sugar free sugar (just kidding) and all kinds of substitutes for sugar, but it just doesn’t help me when I want popcorn, potato chips, and salt.

I tried keeping my hands busy by knitting, but my cravings overcame my desire to finish that sock.

The only thing going for me right now is that I’m finding it easy to exercise. I know everyone is different—some people have no problem controlling how much food they eat or what they eat, but they have problems exercising. Me, I need to duct tape my mouth closed, but I can go out for a jog or get on the exercise bike, no problem. I even like it! (gasp!)

Anyway, I’m just venting a bit. I haven’t lost any weight in the past month and before you ask, no, my measurements haven’t changed, either. I guess status quo is better than gaining, but I’d really like to lose more weight than 5 pounds in three months. And before you ask, yes I checked with a doctor and he said I should aim to get my weight within my safe BMI range. And I’m definitely not there yet.

Is there any substitute for Lays???

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her latest Asian chick lit novel, Single Sashimi, is out now. Join her newsletter YahooGroup for monthly Christian fiction giveaways!

Comments

[PatriciaW]

Camy, I know what you mean. Have you tried veggie chips, or blue potato chips? Better, although still not great.

What about celery--full of fiber and it fills you up--with a little peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese? Cucumber slices with a little seasoning on them. Pretzel sticks (the long ones, which I find easy to limit to one or two vs. handfuls of the little twists). 100 cal bags of popcorn. (Only 1 bag). Get the Smart kind.

[Camy Tang]

Thanks, Patricia! I might try the celery and peanut butter, although I'm afraid of not limiting the peanut butter enough! I didn't think about the shape of pretzels--I'll try the sticks instead of the twists, too.