The Challenge is Over..... Or is it?

     Ok guys, so the three weeks are up. The 21 Day Challenge has been completed. I would say that I was 85% successful in not eating the foods that were prohibited. In my opinion, it wasn't really that hard to do, or so I thought. The first few days were terrible because I think it's human nature to want what you can't have. I normally eat those foods on a daily basis, but once I was cut off, I wanted a cookie like I was crack addict. Anyone that knows me, knows that sweets are my weakness. At work, there was so much temptation around: Cookies, pies, donuts, chips, but I kept it together.

     Now, I said that I was 85% successful because well there were some slip ups in those 21 days, more so towards the end. Welllllll sometimes, no one wants to cook in the house so naturally I'm gonna order out, and welllllll I had some pizza. A brotha has to eat, and it wasn't even that bad. Spinach alfredo with chicken and tomatoes so I was being good. Then, one night I went out to eat with friends and there was this reese's molten cake and REESE'S ARE MY WEAKNESS so I succumbed to the temptation and I felt no guilt whatsoever. Then the kicker: my mom bought home some chocolate peanut butter poptarts and caramel apple cookies from pepperidge farm. Mind you, it was the last two days of the challenge. I said screw it and I WENT IN. Once again, no guilt whatsoever, I gotta live my life.

     There were some positives from this challenge. For instance, I slimmed down just a tad. I never weighed myself but I could tell from how clothes were fitting on me and how baggy my pants were becoming. People noticed a difference as well so I knew I was doing something right. I felt a little bit more energetic throughout and I made healthier eating choices as I've been working towards doing for quite some time now. I also enjoyed the fact that friends of mine were also inspired to do the challenge with me and following my lead. Made me realize that people are watching and listening to me and look to me as a positive influence. I have to say, there's no better feeling.

     The only real downside is that I don't like restrictive diets or that word alone: diet. It triggers something that makes me feel like I can't eat this or that and quit cold turkey. That's not good at all because you get that first taste of something you've deprived yourself of and you're gonna binge. Believe me, I've demolished cartons of ice cream and packs of oreos to myself so I know what I speak of. It took me a while to understand that I don't have to deprive myself of a cookie once in awhile, but not to go overboard with it as well. It's a balance struggle that I've had to deal with for quite some time.

     The next step for me is to challenge myself to not stop eating the foods I love, but instead to just cut down on certain things. My main loves are: peanut butter, cheese, peanut butter, wheat bread, peanut butter, gatorades, and did I mention peanut butter? Now that would be the real challenge for me. It won't be easy but I've proven time and time again that I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to. The same goes for anyone reading this blog, we can do anything guys.