Is the weekend as hard for you as it is for me? Do you do well eating, tracking and exercising all week and then come Friday have a food fest of bad choices until Sunday?
I don't always give in, but I'm much more relaxed on the weekend and carefree, which sometimes I can handle and sometimes causes chaos in my life. I just can't overindulge. It makes me crazy mentally especially if I've gained a few pounds.
Are you shocked to hear I struggle too? I am going to be totally honest with you today. My desire is to not only to provide you with excellent sugar-free alternatives and healthier food choices to the foods you love, but the ability to vent and share your struggles, triumphs and questions.
Just because I have a healthy food blog doesn't mean I've got it all together by any means. I am only human and in my own strength I can easily be overcome by temptation. I just want to share my heart with you today so you can come here each week on Saturday and share yours.
So I'll start. It was a very tough week and it started last Saturday after I went on a 10 mile hike with my oldest son. All 3 children spiked high fevers that night and for pretty much the rest of the week until Thursday they were quite sick. Friday was the day things started to turn around! I just wanted to eat everything in sight mainly to comfort myself with food. Have you ever been there? I even tracked my food, but didn't stick with it, and ate extra bites. I don't normally weigh myself each week, but once I've noticed I've gained a few pounds, I start weighing myself each Saturday to check in and be accountable.
What I do know is beating myself up about gaining a few pounds, overeating and being negative isn't going to help me at all today, tomorrow or next week.
Each day is a new day and fresh start. When I have that attitude and maintain my exercise, mentally and emotionally I am more stable and balanced in all areas of my life. So although it was a horrible week at least I can walk away from it with a plan of action for next time a struggle comes and of course they will. I definitely need to find a way to exercise daily to relieve stress and anxiety. I am also a regular reader of my bible, but when I neglect to read it because of life circumstances, I loose my peace all around. I really have no strength to say no to overeating. So acknowledging this and identifying the problem for me is the best way to combat against it next time.
Your turn.
How was your week? What worked? What didn't work?
What is something positive you can take away from this week so you can have a better week to come?
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Ebey Sorenson
Weekends are my favorite part of my week because my husband and I do date night every Friday! I am gluten-intolerant and my hubby and I choose to eat dairy-free so finding food options for us to enjoy our date night has been a challenge. We have found a lot of awesome vegan places in San Diego that serve gluten-free foods and are SUPER tasty! We always make sure to treat ourselves on date night because it is our night to enjoy life and enjoy savoring a delicious meal together. Sometimes we make a quick and easy meal and just hang out too!
Some easy weekend meals to try making:
-Meatzza (pizza with turkey meat instead of dough, nutritional yeast instead of cheese and all the tasty fixings you can imagine) 30 min
-spaghetti squash instead of pasta with meat sauce (15 min)
-soy cheese tacos with turkey meat and tomatoes
-Kale pan seared with pasta sauce (My favorite!)
-Turkey burgers with grilled whole bell peppers instead of buns and avocado instead of cheese (John's favorite)
Ebey Sorenson
OH YEAH! And dessert I will make what John calls "chocolate balls" which are natural peanut butter mixed with honey and coco powder. I mix it up without measuring in a small bowl with a fork and keep adding coco powder till it forms a thick paste, then add a few drops of water. Super tasty when frozen! Sometimes I add raw gluten-free oats too give it a tangy taste. Super tasty, easy, and a quick treat without the bad stuff
Christina
I have just been considering making further changes to lose my last few pounds and I really need to get control of my little treats. It's too easy to go over the top or have them too often. I'm ready to get serious about it now that swimsuit season is so close!
Kim - I have found that eating almonds helps my chocolate cravings. Also, when I eat plenty of greens (spinach, kale, collards, etc) my sugar cravings are fixed. Odd, but it might help.
Brenda
That's wonderful Kim. Thanks for the tips!
Toni C
This is a fantastic idea Brenda, thank you! Almost two weeks ago I completed the Couch to 5K program and successfully moved into the Bridge to 10K program. Then we had a major change in our family of 4 this week. My sister-in-law and two nieces found themselves without somewhere to live. Of course we jumped in and let them move in with us. That meant me giving up my treadmill's happy home last week...yes, last week...and not having a permanent home for it so we could put 3 people in that room. The treadmill finally has a new home and it's time to get back on track. I'm just hoping it's not back too far into the running programs. Thanks again for your honesty and this new series!
Brenda
I would have done the same thing in your situation. You have greatly blessed your SIL! Thank you for sharing!
Kim
Hi. This was a very welcome post today. Like you, and the others who've responded, I find that weekends are so tough to maintain good eating habits. I am currently about 3/4 of the way through a 30 day no sugar challenge - no added sugars and only 3 fruits a day. I have a significant amount of weight to lose, and I was an over the top sugar addict. I found your blog just in the last few days and it has been so great to connect with it. I feel like I've really conquered the highs and lows of added sugar, and my energy levels are great. But, the last couple of days, I have been craving something and I just can't satisfy it. Oh so, frustrating. But tomorrow I will try again. I will look forward to reading more of these posts. Thank you!
Brenda
Congrats on your challenge! It will get easier, but I think I craved for a good few weeks on and off when I first detoxed my body. Just don't give in because it is so much harder to detox again. I am happy you found my blog and will be joining me on this journey!
The Better Baker
GREAT idea to begin this. I have always! struggled with eating right on weekends.....just gotta pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again sometimes huh? Thanks for being transparent and inspiring all of us.
Brenda
Thanks Marsha! And you are right, dust off and try again!
Melinda
Thank you for being so transparent with your readers. I do really struggle with Saturday and Sunday. Hubby and the kids always want to relax, eat out and splurge a little. He understands that it presents more of a challenge for me but feels that because I've worked so hard during the week someone else should cook for me once or twice over the weekend. Now that the weather is nice here we are grilling more on Sunday, which I love. I just take it one day at a time!
Brenda
I know.....Same thing with my hubby. His breakfasts are wonderful but eggs, bacon, homemade hashbrowns......full of alot of calories. It's very thoughtful so I eat some and try to eat lighter at lunch. Yes, one day at a time is the right thinking!
angie
I love that you are doing this 🙂 <3 This week was pretty good. Worked out daily with Jillian's 30 day shred. Yesterday was day 1 of level 2 🙂 I hope to continue to see these posts from you! 🙂
Brenda
That's awesome! Thank you! I would like to continue each week so everyone can be accountable. 🙂