An ugly discovery.

So I made the realization today that sugar is apparently my caffeine. Take it away, and I can't function as well as normal. I've been crabby all day and a little on the hungry side, even though I ate tons of fruits and veggies. I also had a bean burrito for lunch (to get that protein in) and a Boca burger for dinner (meatless, of course), which I thought would take care of the hungry part, but sadly, it did not.

Now my challenge is to find snacks that are either high in protein or high in fiber, since my normal high fiber granola bar snack has been kicked to the curb (10 grams of sugar per serving!).

I realized this afternoon at work that I feel just like I did during my first week of Weight Watchers - constantly thinking about food and looking at the time to see if it's time to eat again. But I soon felt better when I remembered that the feeling went away after a few days and I completely adjusted. So by this time next week, I should be feeling a lot better. I've just got to get through these next few days.

Wish me luck.

Yes, I am serious about the no sugar thing.

I had my last piece of chocolate and last Fiber One chocolate granola bar today. I also had a small little chocolate cakey-thing with chocolate sauce on top as a last hurrah. And to prove that I'm serious about this, I went to the grocery store after work and bought the lowest sugar-content cereal I could find (Special K) without eating twigs for breakfast, and I also bought Egg Beaters so I can do without cereal some mornings to go even more sugar-free.

One of my co-workers said I'll be amazed at how I'll feel after all the sugar has left my system. And I know she's right, since I've done this once before. It's just that these next few days are going to be...well...a little rough. Especially since eating chocolate is my stress reliever. I'll just have to turn my energy toward more exercise. Or I'll start another book.

I'd just better figure it out before tomorrow afternoon when I get home from work and really want to eat that piece of chocolate. That's all I know for sure.

A question of sacrifice.

The season of Lent begins again on Wednesday, and I've been giving a lot of thought to what I'll be giving up this year. I went back and forth between a couple of different things, and after a weekend of overindulgence (again), I've settled on abstaining from refined sugar. A few years ago, I did it for a month right before I started Weight Watchers, and was able to do it just fine. Even though it was a bit of a struggle at first, I made it through and even lost a little bit of weight. What made my decision easier for me was this past weekend, when I tore into the Girl Scout cookies I bought without thinking twice, and then devoured a Milky Way bar right after that. That's not normal for me, and I felt really physically awful after I ate all that. So I thought about it a little more over the last couple of days and came to my decision today, after I woke up feeling miserable and having not slept well again last night because I ate too much sugar yesterday.

Lent is also a time to reflect spiritually and prepare yourself for Easter Sunday. I'm also planning on doing that over the next 40 days, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to come out a more positive, relaxed person.

Tomorrow will be my last day of eating a piece of chocolate when I come home from work, so I'll savor it just a bit more than usual and then say good-bye for 40 days. It will definitely be a journey of temptation and sacrifice, but it will build character and will make me a stronger person.

I can't wait to see what I'll be like on Easter Sunday.

RIP, Socks.

Former First Cat (that makes me laugh a little) Socks passed away yesterday at the ripe old age of 18. Quite a long life for a kitty, but it still makes me sad whenever I hear about an animal passing away. It sounds like he was well cared for and had a wonderful life with Betty Currie, Clinton's former personal secretary.

I told my kitties to say a kitty prayer for him (I know, I'm a sap and a little weird).

I heart Vietnamese food.

We went out to lunch today to celebrate a co-worker's birthday, so we went to Andy Nguyen's and it was delicious as always. It was nice to have hot, fresh food on a cold, blustery day. I had the mixed vegetable and tofu over noodle dish. Heaven. I'm not normally a big tofu fan, but this was cooked to perfection and so yummy. I've had their food a few times now, and I can honestly say that I prefer it over Chinese food. I did have to work a little harder on the treadmill tonight, but it was worth it.

A few years ago, I never would have even thought to try Vietnamese food (I used to be very picky), but I can't imagine being without it now. Hopefully we'll go back again soon!

What could be better...

than a rainy Friday night watching Sex and the City?

Nothing makes me feel cozier than that!

Pet peeve.

Why is that, sometimes (or all the time, depending on who you talk to), people forget the fundamentals of driving and act like complete morons? While driving home this afternoon, it was pretty backed up as soon as I got on the freeway. It was stop and go traffic, which is a little unusual for the time of day I leave work (3:30). As I got closer to my exit, people were stopping to look at a single car accident (someone hit the guard rail and had minor damage to his car), which pretty much created all the traffic. As soon as I passed the incident, traffic cleared up and it was smooth sailing all the way home. I don't understand the blatant gawking at something that's really not that interesting and none of their beeswax. What is it about seeing someone else's problem that's so fascinating?

It's the same reason why reality television is so popular, I suppose. People are just too curious for their own good.

Now please excuse me while I go make sure that Project Runway is still set up to record on my DVR.

Party time!

By this time tomorrow night, I'll be one year older. Amazing how fast another year has passed.

My co-workers are taking me out for lunch and are also bringing in cupcakes for the occasion. Although I'll be working tomorrow, I'm glad to at least be in a place where I enjoy it and it's not such a chore to have to work on my birthday.

I'm looking forward to what the next year has to bring, since they only seem to be getting better.

And since I'm officially old, I'll be going to bed at 8:00 tonight (but only because I'm starting work at 6am tomorrow so I can get off a little early).

Did I mention I ate dinner at 4:30 tonight?