Willpower, Motivation or Something Else?

Before leaving work tonight, the husband called and asked if I’d be willing to pick up McDonald’s on the way home.

*Sigh*

Not Fast food, anything but that! Especially after my weekend of indiscretions which, unfortunately, included a trip to MickeyD’s.

But I said yes, and hit the drive thru on my home.

Now, any other day, the smell of the fries would be enough to send me into a mindless eating fiasco and the they would be gone before I even got home.

But not tonight! Tonight I had something. Something I’m not quite sure how to describe.

I went through that drive thru, I ordered the husbands value meal and I drove home. No bites, tastes or licks! I didn’t even want one and I WAS hungry.

This surprised even me. I don’t think it was a matter of willpower or that I was particularly motivated I really think it’s something else. I think it’s a form of momentum and mental preparedness.

Let me explain.

This weekend I did indulge a bit. I enjoyed some good dark chocolate, some bad fast food, and just allowed myself to nibble a bit more then normal. I gave myself permission to do so. That may sound weird but it’s true. There’s a difference between “falling off the wagon” and “taking a detour”. While “falling off the wagon” may require repairs and additional help, the “detour” infers you will be back on track sooner rather later. And I told myself Monday was the day the detour ended, so I ended it.

To end it, I started my day with a plan and a Racquetball game. I packed a bunch of healthy choices and by the time I went through that drive thru I was back on track, full steam ahead.

My momentum kept me going.

Labels: insights , journal