Temptation

I was watching Biggest Loser last night, and they had this "temptation challenge" where, in a nutshell, contestants could win the right to control an aspect of the game in exchange for giving up control and (some of them) eating upwards of 4,000 calories on a gamble. Which, in the end, wasn't worth it to any of them, even the winner of the challenge. Made me think a lot about temptations and the power they have over us. I know that when I overcome a temptation, I feel very powerful and mighty. And when I succumb to it, I feel so helpless and pitiful. All comes down to choices, I guess: the choice to give in or the choice to stand ground. I had a really perfect day yesterday on Weight Watchers. I went over my daily points by 1.5, which is fine since I earned 2 activity points, and it balanced out. Totally on program, and I felt really great about that accomplishment. I woke up today, intending to do the same, and feeling really optimistic about the day. So far, so good. I felt strong and powerful, like I can do anything because I didn't let myself down. My boss, who is on the ferry on his way back to the office, called me a short while ago. He's in a huge hurry and asked, if at all possible, could I please run downstairs and get a sandwich for him. So I had to ask him all the detailed questions about his lunch: what type of sandwich, bread, toppings, snacks, drinks, etc. I had lunch with me today (a frozen lasagna meal I'm looking forward to momentarily), so had no intention to go downstairs to get any food. But I didn't mind running the errand for him - it's not something he asks often, and he appreciates it. Before I even hit the sandwich shop, my mind is racing with the temptations. Maybe I can get a sandwich instead of my lasagna? It's frozen and it'll keep until tomorrow. He's getting whole wheat, but I just love that soft, mushy, long white roll they also have. And I could smother it with mayonnaise. Yeah, that's it, mayonnaise and roast beef with cheese. Would bacon go with roast beef? I remind myself that I happen to know that this particular sandwich (sans bacon) is 16 points (1/2 my daily points), and then start thinking about how their chips are really good too. Mind you, I wasn't even hungry 5 minutes earlier. But now I'm thinking about the cookies that they sell too, the ones the size of my head. Part of me is laughing at myself, and the other part of me is like "for real? this is what you want to blow your points on?" So I'm back at the office now, having resisted my temptation. A turkey and cheddar on whole wheat sits on his desk, and I'm sitting here typing instead. I feel really proud for resisting all of that. Mind you, none of those things are "bad" or "wrong" choices on Weight Watchers - it's just a matter of deciding what I want to spend those points on. And that wasn't it. I took control and I made my choice. I guess it's a bit scary sometimes that we (or at least I) can be so tempted by things. Is temptation just part of being human? Is it a character flaw? Guess it doesn't matter, but sometimes I like to intellectualize stuff like that. It is scary though when you see people who, like on Biggest Loser, have lost over 100 pounds, and they can still be tempted to indulge in a massive binge when they lose sight of what the real reward is. I guess another question is, why is a giant bowl of lettuce never, ever going to be a temptation? LOL! I remember years ago in a Weight Watchers meeting, a new member was shocked that carrots were a "free" food (didn't have to count them in that particular plan, and they were essentially "unlimited"). She got all excited and the leader said to her "girlfriend, I didn't get fat by bingeing on carrots." We all burst out laughing, but it's true. That said, I've got some carrots in the fridge, and a lasagna destined for the microwave. Enjoy your choices today!