Discipline Takes Practice

Paulin Nordin

Oh how I do struggle with this issue. Some days I am completely good about staying far, far away from the foods that I grew up loving. While others I find myself giving in to the temptation and pull of a food simply because "it tastes sooooooooooo good".

Of course I immediately feel guilty about it and punish myself with a killer workout the next day—reinforcing the notion that I should have left it alone in the first place—but the penance I pay only lasts until the next slip-up undoubtedly happens and then...BOOM!

Well, today was one of those days. I didn't eat well because I simply wanted to go "off the wagon" and eat something delicious and hearty for a change. Lifting, circuit-training, biking, etc. is all good for this body of mine but it also means I spend a great deal of my day looking for my next meal. And, did I mention I absolutely love food?

Inasmuch as I've gotten away from meat—tofu and soy are infinitely more desireable options to me at this point—and eschew most things dairy (although I don't know that I'll ever leave cheese), I do have my weaknesses. And when life gets ridiculously busy, I turn to those vices by the boatload.

When this happens, I start looking for ways to get myself back on track: a fellow woman-in-training, a photo, a quote, a song...or a simple blog post written by someone whose life is all about what I'm trying to become—the very definition of fit.

I found that inspiration today via Muscle and Fitness Hers; it was in a blog post written by Pauline Nordin—a fitness fanatic who has conditioned and trained herself into a fighting machine. Here's what she had to say about those days when the cravings seems to overwhelm your good intentions:

...when you cheat on your diet, you condition your brain into believing that it’s okay to give in. So when the urge to eat crappy food is strong enough, that’s it -- you will give in. To break this habit, you have to be consistent in saying no to the craving. When you are consistent, you give that response strength and you know that there is no damn way that cookie craving is going to derail you from your plan.

I read that and a light bulb went off for me because so often I just feel like—man...what did I just do here? LOL.

But reading that post reminded me that discipline takes practice and the destination I'm trying to end at won't come without setbacks.

So, today I lost, but as Scarlett O'Hara would say, "...tomorrow is another day".

Carb Crazy: Don't Fear The Bread, Fear The Flour

Diana Vreeland once said, "people who eat white bread have no dreams". Vreeland, a noted fashion editor for Harpers-Bazaar, and one time Editor-in-Chief for Vogue magazine, was considered an icon in the fashion industry during the 50's, 60's, and 70's. In short, she wasn't a dietician, nor did the surgeon general have her on speed dial, but the quote still resonates today as one of great insight by a woman who lived for a very long time without any significant health problems. 

That said, I love bread! Love. It. And I would be a wreck if I had to completely eliminate it from my diet, and don't even get me started on pasta—Italian cuisine is a staple in my kitchen. I cook a pasta-based meal at least once a week!

So, when I began the process of changing my lifestyle to one focused on healthier eating and more purposeful exercise, I considered all the alternatives for my bread and pasta loving habits and what I found out very early was that it wasn't necessarily the bread or pasta that was bad, but the type of bread or pasta and, like anything else, the amount I chose to eat.

First off, look for breads made using whole grains as opposed to white flour. While you do not have to forfeit your love of carbohydrates to get the waistline you so desire, you do have significantly reduce your intake of sugar—a prime culprit in most items made using white flour—if you wish to lessen the possibility of additional weight gain.

Secondly, watch your intake. Don't gorge—moderation is a key component in everything.

Finally, don't shy away from pasta. Personally, I have taken to eaten pasta noodles made from tofu as they have less calories and offer—at least for me—as delightful an alternative as regular spaghetti. There are even gluten-free versions available.

The point here is you don't have to sacrifice bread to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's all about moderation and using the information you can find on food labels in order to make the best decision for you and your lifestyle.

Related articles

• Healthy Pasta Meal Ideas (brighthub.com)
• Pasta for Breakfast (tami92.wordpress.com)

Valentine's Day: Nominate A Happy Couple....for Stoning? (VIDEO)

Okay, full disclosure, I do not "celebrate" Valentine's Day. I don't expect the flowers, the candy, or even the jewelry. That day is just like any other for me and I don't feel the least bit bad if nothing happens to make if feel more special.

That said, I never judge those who do choose to make it an event worth remembering because, well, why not? However, this video (seen below) did give me quite the laugh—it's complete nonsense, of course—but that doesn't make it any less funny to watch.

So, for all you Valentine's loathers out there, this one's for you:

Related articles

• And once again...it's almost Valentine's Day (greenphonebooth.com)
• The Passive-Aggressive Guide To Getting Your Guy A Valentine's Day Gift (crushable.com)