When I finished my vacation in Kauai, the scale was up three pounds. Bummer!
In light of this undeniable feedback on the impact of my behavior, I’ve gone over what thoughts or ideas steered me wrong. After considerable reflection and analysis, I came up with a list which I call my “Magical Thinking” errors.
Error #1: Because I exercised more than usual (tennis, swimming, hiking), I thought I could eat whatever I wanted. Wrong. I still have to keep my caloric intake between 1200-1500 if I want to avoid gaining weight.
Error #2: A cocktail before a nice dinner or a couple of glasses of wine couldn’t possibly add pounds. Wrong: Alcohol shows up directly on the scale the next morning.
Error #3: Food eaten at potlucks and prepared by Kauaians’ and fellow visitors must be thoroughly enjoyed, if for no other reason than to show respect and appreciation for the effort that went into the preparation. Wrong: Whatever the occasion, calories count and my priority should be to stay fit, not take care of the feelings of everyone around me.
Error #4: Because I’m eating only healthy foods, I shouldn’t gain weight. Wrong: Food, even the healthiest, will cause weight gain if too many calories are consumed.
Error #5: When in Rome, eat like a Roman. That is, when you go out to eat and everyone around you is having Kauaian mud pie for dessert, order your own slice. Wrong: Unless you want to look like an overweight Roman, you have to settle for a bite of someone else’s dessert.
My magical thinking ended when I return home. I’ve worked too hard to lose all the ground I’ve gained. Perhaps the rain and snow will have a chilling effect on my appetite. In the meantime, aloha!
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