I took this photo this morning, just to give you an idea of what itβs like to be the only one in the house counting calories. On the left, half of a βminiβ chocolate crΓ¨me cake at 210 calories and 11 grams of fat per serving; on the left, my breakfast: two packets of raisin, date and walnut oatmeal with a dash of sugar and a splash of milk for 315 calories and 5 grams of fat.
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Failed to mention that little cake serves eight. All together, now: HAHAHAHAAAAA!!!
Bobby bought the cake last night, on his way home from karate. Thatβs how he stays fit. When heβs not teaching karate to kids and the black belts, heβs taking it. About eight or nine years ago, I enrolled the whole family in karate because the class always started with about 20 minutes of tough exercises, and both of our children were looking a little chubby. A few months of hard-style Shotokan fixed that. My son lost weight, so did my daughter. She ended up quitting after about a year or two, and I enrolled her in an all-star cheerleading gym. At the time, Skyler refused to get out of the van. When I came to pick her up, she didnβt want to leave. At the time, Sky couldnβt do a forward roll. Now sheβs five inches taller than I am, strong, lean and throwing the most difficult stunts on the top-ranked squads.
My son, Trey, eats only when heβs hungry, and that seems to work for him. However, heβll often go too long without eating, then inhale large bowls of cereal or buy some meat patties and carrot juice at the Jamaican restaurant up the street. He doesnβt work out, but he always looks like he does. Mostly he walks, easily a couple of miles a day, just visiting friends in the neighborhood β who also like to walk.
Me, Iβm really the only one in the house faced with a struggle. I donβt ask that they donβt eat what they want, just that they not LEAVE IT SITTING ON THE COUNTER, LOOKING ALL CHOCOLATE-Y AND STUFF. And it cost $2.99. Thatβs about the same as a whole box of my instant oatmeal.
But Bobby has a sweet tooth. Thirty-two of them. He, like me, tends to crave sweets late at night. Iβve been working on not eating past 7 p.m., unless I need a snack, and if so I limit it to 100 calories or less. Lately, itβs been fat-free chocolate pudding. Thankfully, that usually hits the spot.
Soon, both Trey and Sky will be home, the rest of the cake will be gone within minutes, as will last nightβs leftover pizza. As for me, lunch will consist of a Smart Ones frozen meal and a bunch of green beans with spray butter. I hope youβre not feeling sorry for me. Smart Ones are the tastiest things out there. I like to keep several on hand. Easy, healthy and when paired with a salad or veggies, very filling.
But Iβm not going to lie. That chocolate crΓ¨me cake would have tasted 10 times better than my oatmeal, but not the guilt and shame I would have swallowed along with it.
I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it. ~ Mae West
Leslie J. Ansley is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who blogs daily for TheRoot. She lives in Raleigh, NC.
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