Day 24 (x2)

I've realised just how important exercise is to my dieting endeavours. Today I had been reasonably good - I'd gone out for lunch but made a decent choice and not touched the spicy potato wedges that came with my sandwich (unannounced!) although I did have a couple of biscuits at work (why...why??). Then, tired after a busy and productive day, I ended up passing a Farm Shop on my way home where I'd once had the most delicious caramel shortbread. So, what did I do?? Why, I stopped and bought a slab. It truly is delicious but was totally unnecessary.

Once home, I felt cheesed off with myself and tempted to just write off this evening and sink into whatever comfort food I could find. That despite the fact that I feel bloated from time of the month and was not remotely hungry. Sigh...you wonder if you've made any progress at all.

But then, the non-negotiable which has become my running kicked in and, although Shelley texted to cancel, I didn't once consider not going out myself. It's strange - I'm not keen on heading out into the cold, rainy, windy evening - but I know that I'll enjoy it once I get out there so I just do it. I managed a gale blown 4 miles and returned home much refreshed and totally committed to not eating my way through the evening. And I haven't! I had a pack, a milky coffee and a couple of slices of cold meat and that has been enough.

It's what Mrs said about making certain things "non-negotiable" and setting them in stone as part of one's routine. Well, I seem to have managed it with the running but I'm not quite there on the not eating.

I was thinking about the caramel shortbread too. That is the sort of thing I should be able to enjoy every now and then. It's delicious, homemade and delicious...did I mention that it's delicious??! My trouble is that I don't save up for proper treats like that...I squander my treat quota on crap like ordinary biscuits from the tin at work or slices of bread which I don't really need. If I could just cut them out then I could let proper treats slide in and actually enjoy them for what they are.

That is my goal for Easter - cut out the unnecessary and mediocre crap so that I can really lay into a luxurious Easter egg. Do you know that I've not had an egg for years?? I've always said I don't want one because I've always been on a bloody diet. Not this year - this year I'm going to enjoy it for what it is - a once a year special treat. And I'm going to make sure that I have a good quality and reasonably sized egg too. Can't wait.

Hope you're all well and doing better than I at keeping away from the biscuit tin. Tomorrow - I'm going cold turkey......