Lifestyle changes

As I reflect on my goals, I find there are two main difficult periods where it is easy for me to slip up.

The first is the initial two weeks or so.  The change from blissfully eating an astronomical number of calories of whatever I feel like, mostly cookies, to reasonably portioned meals and snacks consisting of mostly fruits and vegetables.

My sense of portion size is so warped, it takes at least two weeks to recognize what an actual portion should be and secondly grow used to the feeling of not constantly being stuffed.  There are times during the mornings and the afternoon after starting eating correctly where I feel famished simply because I've been eating too much previously and it is incredibly tempting to snag a candy bar or other snack to feel better.  Which after I eat it and the sugary satisfaction wears off, I feel terrible.  I find that the satisfaction of a candy bar is basically over as soon as it leaves the confines of my mouth.  What a waste. Not only was the satisfaction short lived, it is also a disproportional gain in calories.  In economic terms, not much bang for the buck.

To add to my problems, after returning home, before to long, I find myself wandering into the kitchen.  I think it is mostly a force of habit to just go to the kitchen for a snack if I'm not doing anything.  A mindless stroll to the kitchen.  Even though I may not realize how or when I got to the open refrigerator, I feel bad to leave empty handed (or stomached may be a better description).  That is the second major battle in the first couple of weeks.  Mindless or idle snacking.  Snacking for the sake of snacking. 

Once I get over these first two weeks, the second problem starts to creep in.  And it is just that, a slow subtle creeping into my thinking.  It usually comes after a period of starting to see results or just when I start to make better choices a habit.  I feel confident in how I've been able to reign in my unruly portions and have a good habit of exercise in place.  I think to myself, "Hey, I'm doing good, I think I should reward my self and have an extra cookie(or ice cream)."  Then suddenly, BLAM!, I've eaten half a package of Chewy Chips Ahoy or something.  Then I think, "Eh, it was only one day, just get back into it tomorrow."  Then tomorrow comes and BLAM!  I eat the other half of the package of cookies and have ice cream to boot.  That's a little exaggerated, but unfortunately not by much. 

I think admitting these things "out loud," is the first step to admitting I have a problem and a first step to being able to be on guard against two of these major distractions in terms of my diet/lifestyle change.