Detox Day 11: Popcorn, Tacos & Margaritas. I thought I had this down...

I spent Saturday the way I like it: getting things done but also having some fun. Well, for the most part.
I woke up and walked the dog, who explored her first snow.

Then, enjoyed a big home-cooked breakfast and got some things done around the house. I have been saying for the past 10 days that it doesn't bother me anymore when people around me drink or eat food that's not on my plan. Yet, Saturday was just a repeat of what I had gone through back in October when the apple fritters were making my knees wobbly.

My boyfriend and I decided to go to the movies and that's where it all started. He ordered the big popcorn, assuming I would share it with him. Nice assumption, but I'd rather be asked, so I had a few and not even liking it. After the movie we headed to a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food has always been one of my biggest challenges and so I haven't had it in years. It's hard to bypass the starches as most dishes have tacos, chips and beans and I'm always tempted by the chips. Many years ago (way before my personal trainer/nutritionist days)  I used to live in Washington, D.C. and there was a well-known Mexican restaurant called Cactus Cantina that I would frequent because of the chips and salsa. They were amazing. Always fresh and you could get as many refills as you wanted with your drink order. I remember one morning when I woke up after a dinner at the Mexican restaurant. I looked into the mirror and my face was so puffy you wouldn't have been able to tell me apart from a hamster. That's when I realized that chips and I weren't going to be friends anymore. So much for my history with Mexican food...

I must have looked at that menu for ages and tried piecing together a decent meal with protein and veggies. Sure thing the chicken Quesadilla or Fajitas looked tempting, but weren't a good idea and I would feel awful after eating it (not just mentally but physically). I modified a dish and ordered the grilled salmon topped with salsa and grilled veggies on the side. The original dish would have come with rice and beans.  Of course the chips and salsa ended up right before my nose and also a lovely dish of guacamole and so I had a few - total reflex. The dinner really hit the spot. However, there was also the quesadilla and frozen margaritas sitting across the table from me and I couldn't help but comment on the sugar in the margaritas. It was part concern that made me comment over the load of sugar and part dissatisfaction that I couldn't just have a glass of wine too. For the first time in 10 days I felt deprived, even jealous and mad that that stuff was enjoyed in front of my face. And, I realized I already had some popcorn and chips and broken the detox rules and perhaps that all added up to me being grumpy. To make a long story short, it wasn't a good feeling and ruined the evening. I guess I'm not superhuman and immune to temptations around me, after all. What's my lesson here? What others do shouldn't affect my actions. Plan ahead for snacks and meals.

I received a few other emails from Detoxers who went through similar challenges. This is an email that was sent around one of the detox teams.

"UGH!  Today is a Very Challenging Day.
On the drive up to Albany, we stopped to get lunch, and there was literally NO carb and sugar free option!  All the salads came with dressing already on; the grilled chicken was honey-coated...it was very disheartening. (There was a salad bar, but it looked like it hadn't been refreshed since the middle ages, so I passed.)  I sipped a protein drink (I had enough foresight to bring ziplocs of powder along), but it was very unsatisfying.
Then, when we arrived in Albany, we were offered "Whatever you like - there's lasagna, bagels, some crackers laid out..."  I had brought some broccoli, and stirred it up in butter and garlic, but I felt very alone.
I've stayed strong, but tomorrow we celebrate my daughter's 7th birthday.  I'm baking the cake. This is not the awesomest mood I've ever been in.  "Grumpy but resolute" is not how I want to live my life.
Help me out, team! I need some MAJOR encouragement to get through the weekend..."


Being surrounded by people always challenges you at the core about your choices. Sure thing it would be easy to live in a bubble, but we don't. It would be boring and we wouldn't learn a thing. These challenges are what make us learn and improve and understand who we are. Appreciate them and make the most of them. Sure, I broke the rules and there was a decent amount of bread in my diet yesterday and not enough protein to fill me up, but I at least know now how it all came about. Next time around I will try better.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: 3 eggs with whole grain bread
Snack: grain bread with 1/2 avocado spread
Lunch: Carrot-pumpkin soup with 1/2 chicken breast
Snack: grain bread with 1/2 avocado spread
Snack: popcorn
Dinner: Grilled salmon and veggies, salsa, guacamole and tortilla chips

Supplements: none
Water: 3 liters