Jun 04 2007
Cake Therapy
Stress, frustration, annoyance, whatever you want to call it: it makes me do bad things.
Today, in particular, I broke my streak of good behavior and gorged myself on two pieces of cake (on two separate sittings, mind you, 4 hours apart). And, yes, I ate the frosting. Every last bit of it. If I wasn’t so concerned about appearing uncouth, I would have licked the plate. I guess I should also admit that I ate a Big Island Candies chocolate-dipped shortbread cookie, too. (To my credit, again, not in the same sitting.)
Undoubtedly, this kind of compulsive eating will blow any well-intentioned diet out of the water in one fell swoop. There’s something about sweets that has a soothing effect of me, especially when I’m having a particularly bad day. When things go awry, I feel justified, as if I deserve it. But when my senses return, after the momentary pleasure on my palate, I realize that comfort eating really doesn’t do me any favors. It’s not healthy to be able to measure your stress level by your growing waistline.
Since my surgery, I have been taking baby steps toward changing my lifestyle. I have been eating salads for lunch consistently and taking a brisk walk at least 5 out of 7 days of the week. I am planning my return to karate within the next week or two and I’ll be signing up for tennis lessons with Joyce in July. I hope that all of these things will help keep me on track with my health — and also help me manage my stress levels. Perhaps the latter will be more of a challenge than the former.
Some days it just comes down to this: I had my cake and I ate it two.
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
Hey Donna,
Don’t beat yourself up over a tough day. Not worth it, and there’s a new day tomorrow.
As far as diets go, this is one of the things I like about the Abs Diet; it gives you a cheat meal once a week.
Was that a “Rochelle” cake? I had one of those plus when I came home I had an “Amber” cake. I guess you could say I had mine two!
One step back, two steps forward. Not to worry as long as you’re making forward progress.
Don’t sweat it - we all fall off the wagon once in a while…..and as long as it doesn’t become a habit, it’s no harm!
You gotta treat yourself every once in a while!
Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement! I agree, sometimes we do need to treat ourselves — as long as it doesn’t become a regular occurrence. I’ve been better, except for the occasional oreo now and then.
Susan: Yep, that was a Rochelle cake. Boy, was it good. Thanks for sharing your two cake day story!