Today was a very tough day. I was at a pavilion that's loaded with food from the moment you get there until the moment you leave. When you first arrive, there are trays on top of trays covered with donuts and bagels. I'm actually salivating just thinking about it. Yeah, and that's just the appetizers. You know, the food you eat before you eat. I mean, there's all kinds of fun stuff all day long. Here's a little taste, pun intended; nachos, tacos, burgers, dogs, fries, fried chicken pasta, pasta salads, potato salad, bread and butter, cake, popcorn, ice cream, and the list goes on.

I knew what to expect, but I did not know how I was going to get through the day. I was speaking to Jess, and I said I was just going to have one of everything. Her response was "Really?" Jess knows one is the gateway drug for me. One leads to many. As I sat there wiping my tears, she shared a little gem she had read somewhere. Don't focus on what you can't have, focus on what you can. Hmmm, there could be some merit to that.

The plan was, instead of eating like a pig at the outing, let's plan for a really delicious dinner that I love, for when I get home. One of my favorite meals Jess cooks is meatballs with spaghetti squash. I know, it's embarrassing that an Italian guy digs spaghetti squash, but I do. It's really cool because I can fit a lot more calories in with spaghetti squash as opposed to the real stuff.

Now instead of focusing all day on what I couldn't eat, I just kept my eye on the prize. Now I didn't go all day without eating. I had a plan before I got there. I enjoyed a few burgers on a plate with no buns, and a taco salad sans the tortilla. There was copious amounts of coffee drank all day. That stuff really staves off my hunger.

One more thing that really helped was seeing some of my own new found vascularity. I know it sounds narcissistic, but every time I look down I am seeing newly developing veins in my legs and arms. With that, I'm focusing on the progress, all of positives I can find instead of the negative of what I can't eat.

So think of the smaller pants you are fitting in. How good you will look at that upcoming wedding. Plan a healthier alternative. Just think of something. I used to just throw caution to the wind on days like this. I'd tell myself I earned it. Or, what harm is one day going to do. Well, I'm here to tell you, a lot. It's too damn hard to lose weight. That instant gratification is not worth taking those two whole steps back for one day. Keep up the fight people. I know I am.