Sweet - Sweet Temptation

"The Candy" that is lurking around every corner at work!

Today has been a struggle for me. Today stress has just about gotten the better of me. Today I battled the temptation to eat chocolate all day long. I am grateful to say that I did not give in to the temptation but I must say that it really has gotten on my nerves that after all this time I can still have days when something like this can almost take over your brain.




I really want to blame the chocolate candy bars sitting on my co-workers desk. We are selling them as a fundraiser for school but they are constantly looking back at me and trying to lure me in. The thing is I really don’t want them. When I think about how I will feel just 5 minutes after I first open the wrapper – I know that there is more than chocolate in there. There is also guilt inside that wrapper. I would dare to say there is also condemnation in there too. You know that voice that say stuff like “you know you were not supposed to eat that”, “that is not on your plan”, “you may as well give up because you are never going to succeed” and “you are such a failure.” Those things are hiding up under those pretty wrappers. Their packaging says “you’ll love me and you deserve me” but that is just a lie to lure you in. Why do we let them drag us in? Why can’t we see the lies they are telling us quickly and just be done with them?



So today I have had to rely on prayers much more than plans. Thank goodness for a well laid plan before today or else I don’t know that I could have remained faithful. I am grateful for this 17 Day Plan I have been on for several months now because I know exactly what I am supposed to eat and I have it all mapped out before me and all I have to do is continue on the path set before me. I know what I get for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I know when to plan to eat my fruit and yogurt which have become my sweet treats throughout the day. I am able to not get stuck in eating the same old thing because I have figured out a couple of different ways to make things work on this plan by changing up just a few things to make it work. For example when I want Mexican – I can make me a taco salad. With turkey meat and some fat free sour cream along with all the other good-for-me veggies I can be satisfied. If I miss spaghetti I can make me some turkey meatloaves with spaghetti sauce on top (and usually a little fat free Mozzarella melted on top). If I want pizza I do the same with a thin baked chicken breast as the crust and the pizza sauce and veggies (and even a little bit of turkey pepperoni – really just a few cut up and the fat free mozzarella). I have gotten pretty good at jumping the “what’s for dinner” hurdle. I just think about what Kevin and I would like and then tweak it to something we can make work in the plan. However, I cannot tweak a chocolate candy bar into the plan no matter how hard I try. Thing is I really don’t even want it. . . Really I don’t . . . I would much rather have something homemade than processed. That is how I know my stress lying to me and for that there is only one plan and the only book it is found in is my Bible. God is supposed to be my comfort, shield, protector, portion and even my rest. That is why that candy bar is lying to me. It cannot provide any of that to me. It can only give me empty calories, a quick fix and a long lasting guilt trip. So today I am glad I took my temptation to God in prayer.



I am also really glad for good friends that walked all the way with me all through my day from beginning to end to help support me. I had another gift sent my way today from a friend and this one I got to eat this afternoon. It was a delicious apple along with a sweet encouraging note. What a great way to begin a day!!! Then tonight was Bible study. So I also got to end it with a great group of ladies who are battling the same stresses that I am! They understand how we are all tempted and we are learning how to take our battles to God! We are reprogramming our minds, hearts and our wills to go to God rather than food or any other comfort in this world. What a great way to end the day – with sweet sisters in Christ learning to submit our whole lives – food and all to Him who has done so much for all of us.



Sweet notes and Sweet friends – now those are two “Sweets” I don’t want to live without!



Today’s meals: eggs and chicken breast, salad w/ tuna, oranges, apple, yogurt w/ fiber one, chicken and veggie soup, yogurt w/ fiber one.



Today’s exercise: 45 minutes at the gym lifting weights, 15 minute bike ride, 20 minute walk.