sick day - catch up day - abstaining from food notes

so yesterday I got the message loud and clear.  So here it is 3:30 in the afternoon, I'm only JUST getting out of bed, emailed work about a sick day this morning, and generally not feeling great.  So...I'll catch up on blogs while listening to Hulu - right?  :)

I'm a little frustrated by internet filters at work - during slow times I can read other blogs but I can't comment - for some reason, commenting is blocked.  Now I have to figure out how to "bookmark" the ones I want to comment on from home!  Suggestions??

Meanwhile, I've been blogging extensively about my training - but not so much about my food issues - which are still alive and well.  Some things I'm doing well on - candy's tempting but not overwhelmingly so, I've turned to almonds for a quick snack vs. a bag of chips.  A reasonable alternative in my book.  Sugar is ok - I'm still struggling with how to replace the "you deserve a treat" thoughts that hit me quite often.  Artificial sugar defeats the purpose of abstaining - so sugar free alternatives are out.
My goal is to take the emotional emphasis OFF of food, not find food substitutes.  Does that make sense?  Most people I explain it to are a little befuddled by the concept.  Is alcohol-free beer ok for alcoholics?  Not in my book - am I being unreasonable?

I still have a hard time walking through a grocery store and feel overwhelmed at times with urges for halloween candy.  It's not always bad - but sometimes I really am *this close* to throwing the towel in.  I know it gets better and that keeps me plugging along.  I've done this before - it's been 6 years (give or take - I don't keep track anymore) since I've had cola or caffeine of any type.  I'm not even remotely tempted.  Not even a sip.  So I KNOW it can be done.

My brain is a tricky organ though. 
"just a little bite"
"sugar free doesn't count"
"it's just one"
"you can stop any time"

and on and on and on....

I've been fighting it.  And winning - so far.  Nov 1 is coming up - that marks 3 months no candy, 2 months no chips, and 1 month no sugar treats (I still have natural sugar and instant oatmeal - otherwise no sugar).

In training news - I'm thinking about creating a new training plan.  I'm having trouble finding the time for my Over the Top plan.  I made it with aggressive training in mind.  But I'm feeling like a failure for not completing all the training.  In reality I'm doing really well.  But watching as some of my scheduled training doesn't happen because of regular every day life - it feels like failure.  So I need to adjust.  For comparison, I'm training roughly 2+ hours a day.  Somedays more than 3.  But it's not always 100% effort because I'm tired or distracted.  So my reasoning (rationalization?) is that if I schedule less training but give it 100%, it will be as - if not more - effective. 

I'm super excited because hubby and I are taking a vacation - that will throw a crimp  present a whole new set of challenges.  Our hotel room has amenities and I'll be packing snacks (we're going to a trade show - I'm sure there won't be any healthy food there!!).  There won't be the opportunity to swim but I can get in some nice long runs and I believe there's a workout room at the hotel.  Now to prioritize it.  Maybe make a special "vacation work out plan" so that I have something realistic to stick to.  And some meal planning - new microwave receipes maybe?  Either way I plan on enjoying Vegas and still staying on plan!!

Ok - time to go catch up on some blogs (and leave comments!)

TTFN,
LauraLynne