Personal mini triumphs can feel huge and keep us on our new and wonderous paths.

The other night had a function to attend and knew I wouldn't being eating for hours---turned out 11:30 at night---soI pulled into a gas station mini store to get a "little something." The least offensive thing that I could

find (or zoomed in on) was my old default bag of pretzels. I wasn't happy because one voice in my head

obviously wanted it and the other didn't. I was about to pay when I noticed next to the bullet proof window

was a big basket of bananas. Eureka---I turned around, put the pretzels back, bought a banana and even

saved 50 cents. I felt so proud being true to the new me.

Between the banana and some Sniffs of the pen I was perfectly fine, free of food thoughts and focused

on the drama before me for the four and half hours, until I could eat. Best of all, I didn't gorge like

my friends, but calmly took what I wanted and ate with delight---not overeating-- and not with the anger they

had because they were "starving."

The glass is half full. The glass is half empty. How about the glass has water in it or is simply half a glass of water. No need to project subjectivity on to it. No need to feel empty or full; just be. It is a great feeling to work towards. Not less than and not more than.

The diet support pen is ideal for calming compulsive thoughts of eating. It's excellent before for walking into a surprise meeting at 11:00 that is going

to last for two hours---focus on the meeting, not the anxiety cravings of missing your 12:OO lunch. Don't reach for the tray of donuts being passed

around--- Sniff, don't snack. Its also ideal for not having to make excuses to oneself as to why you ate a bowl of chips or nuts that you didn't want.

Sidebar: why don't people use spoons for nut bowls? Who wants everyone's hand to mouth to bowl saliva (that image is a craving curber) on the nuts?

Just noticed that I need to make another notch in my belt. Happily looking forward to buying a new one. I don't weigh
myself, since I do not want to be a slave to the numbers or to attach my self esteem to an arbitrary number. I use
my clothes and how they fit as a fast indication of what is happening. The clothes don't shrink---I was expanding, but
looked for excuses and justifications. I recently had a check up and noticed that I hadn't really gained weight, since last
year, but things were fitting differently. My muscle mass had most likely gone down (not ideal), so that is another reason not to go
by the scale; instead clothes, well being and energy level.

The diet support pen is allowing me to focus on so many aspects of my health and well being. Actually, the loss of appetite or fixation on
food is so freeing that I am able to chip away at what it was that had prevented me from being honest about comforting (illusion, since never felt good after overeating)
myself with excess food.

I really have an appreciation now for fine food and the subtle tastes. Last night my wife and I ate at the Crooked Knife and thoroughly enjoyed it.
http://www.thecrookedknife.com/ Between us we ate one little roll in the bread basket and waited comfortably for our meal. I had a delicious hamburger and substituted the
french fries for a salad. I took my time and cut it into small bites with a knife and fork. I think I realize now not to shove large chunks of food
into me, but patiently nourish myself and enjoy the experience.  I feel as if I am honoring the food and experience the way Europeans do. Less is more and
quality trumps quantity.

Knife Skills

Today I brought carrots and celery which I cut up myself  for a healthy accompaniment to my lunch---or wise snacking. Preparing healthy foods and making good choices are one of the side effects of my commitment to staying fit and vital. I sniff the pen  and the space between cravings stretches longer and longer allowing me to see what health is about. And it isn't about pretzels, quick food and excuses.


I love knives and cutting fruits and vegetables---I'm my wife's sous-chef in the kitchen and it works out great. My knife skills are pretty good. If you want to update yours check out this cool book. http://www.eatyourbooks.com/library/10721/knife-skills-in-the-kitchen

Swam again this morning for 2O minutes. I want to keep the habit alive. If you are just starting a workout program, commit to getting there, even if you don't workout. Schedule your (non-negotiable) time  and stick to it. They say the first step out the door is the hardest---get that part out of the way and eventually the workouts will improve. And don't let the weather become your excuse. Dress correctly and think positive---no mental chatter. It was cold on the bike today, but I just think of myself as Leif Erickson exploring and I warm up fast. http://www.mnc.net/norway/LeifErikson.htm

Swimming

I woke up too late to have breakfast before my swim this morning, so I drank my customary few glasses of water (water is life and as important as air). I got on my bike---I ride all of NYC---and headed over to the YMCA for their Olympic size pool. http://www.ymcanyc.org/chinatown/chinatown-home/

I emerged a half hour later, not hungry, but aware I should eat, so I went a bought some oatmeal and a banana and ate in my office. Afterwards, I took a sniff of the pen and I feel I will be fine till around 2:00, before eating lunch today. I want to have a late lunch anyway, since I am going to laughing yoga at 5:30 and won't eat till I get home around 7:30. http://www.yogalaff.com/  


There are a few activities that keep me feeling young and from taking myself to seriously; riding a bike, swimming, laughing and dancing. I do them all with gusto. All of them reduce calories, keep me in the moment and allow me to stay fit and be joyful. When I get to work---I am psyched about the day.

Namaste

1:00 (sniffed at 11:30, which kept me fine till now) and I'm off to lunch soon. If I finish eating by 2:00, I'll be fine for  my yoga class at 6:30, since you never want to eat two hours before a class.  A well digested lunch allows me to get into challenging poses without my stomach getting in the equation and preventing me from maxing out the pose.

Worst scenario is to eat or snack prior to yoga and do a back bend or downward dog and end up with acid reflux---something no one ever thinks or talks about. But, I do, since I have been experiencing bouts of Gerd and need to change my eating patterns to protect my insides from a painful and dangerous disorder. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001311/

Another reason that I love the diet support pen; I can simply sniff it five minutes prior to class and not feel hungry or think of food until class is over, instead I can remain calm and focused on the task at hand. I love yoga and would never want to give it up or distract my dristhi. (http://www.rainbowbody.net/HeartMind/Yogaglossary.htm)  Hope to see you in class. http://www.yogahighnyc.com/