Waisting Time

Recently, for the first time in many years, I thought about my ex-sister-in-law.  I have three; this one was the skinniest of the bunch.  But I wasn’t thinking of her because of that.  Well, not exactly.  She popped into my head because I had a flashback about a peculiar habit of hers.  When dessert was served, she walked away.

Maybe I would never have noticed her doing this, if not for the video of my son’s first birthday party.  (That would be my oldest who is now 22!)  My husband and I sat and watched the video over and over, enjoying the cuteness of our rapidly growing baby boy.  We heard the regaling chorus of the Birthday Song and watched ourselves move to cut the cake.  And we noticed my SIL leave the room.

And one of us, I don’t remember which, made the connection that this was not a one time event.  We realized that every time dessert was served at a family gathering, the same thing happened:  SIL left the room.  Hmm.  Curious.  Why?  We didn’t care.  And we didn’t much think about it again.

Until just the other day.  When I was driving in my car, a place where random thoughts and epiphanies often pop into my brain.  And I thought about her.  And her potential calorie saving habit.  Because twice in the preceding (Passover/Easter) weekend I had been at family events and both times we had sat around the table for hours, with a variety of desserts in front of us.

There I sat; there sat the sweets.  Me.  Them.  I had a little bit.  I sat longer.  I had a bit more.  I sat longer.  More.  Longer.  Nibble, nibble, nibble.  Proximity and temptation united to win out over willpower.

Now, just to clarify, I didn’t really eat EXCESSIVE amounts.  There was no bingeing.  But, there was clearly a succumbing to temptation that would not have happened had I not sat at that those tables in front of those desserts for all those hours.

But, back to the car, and my thoughts of my SIL, who I hadn’t seen in years.  “Aha,” thought I.  “SIL would NOT have sat at the table.”  She’d not even have stayed in the same room, if possible.  Could this have been her strategy all along?  Could this be my new strategy?

Sometimes.  Maybe.  Sometimes not.  Because as I think about just walking away, I realize that at some social events, the gathering is really limited to the table.  Everyone sits.  Captive, almost.  As we talk.  And visit.  But at other times and places, the action is taking place all over and it would be a simple plan to excuse myself from one conversation (at the table) and join another outside hands’ reach of the treats.

So, that’s my new plan.  When I can, walk away.  When I can’t, sit and stay.  But I’m going to do my best to move the temptation as far across the table as I can!

Does your family sit around the table (and dessert) for hours too?  How do you handle it?  Ever notice any odd habits in family members?

It’s not too late!  You can still enter the Snikiddy Snack and grocery gift card giveaway!

Today is Groundhog Day, forever immortalized in the 1993 movie as the day of “do overs.”  In the movie, Bill Murray’s character gets to relive that one day over and over again.  Initially he takes advantage of the situation, but eventually he begins to reexamine his life and priorities.  And the movie ends happily ever after.

Two years ago today, I asked readers what, if anything, they’d change if they could go back to the past and do things differently.  Last year I asked readers what they’d change on their healthy lifestyle journey if they had could have a “do over.”

But this year, no looking back.

Sure, I wish I’d returned to yoga sooner.  Yes, I realize now I should have stopped my elliptical workout when I felt the first twinge in my calf.  And I’d listen to my inner voice and put that bucket of biscotti back on the store shelf!  Not to mention that there are countless days of overeating that I’d like to roll back and relive, willpower in tact only now, thanks to hindsight.  But I’ve either learned from my mistakes or I haven’t.

So, rather than imagine how I could change the past, I’m going to try to change the future!

Who’s with me!?

This year, I’m encouraging us all to look forward.  Regardless if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or not, the reality is that we have six more weeks of winter.  (Or summer, for those of you Down Under.)  And while they may seemingly drag by as we are living them, if you’re like me, six weeks from now you’ll look back and wonder at how fast time flew!  (What happened to January!?)

So, today I propose that you and I consider what we can change going forward, not looking back.  For the next six weeks.  One thing.  Or more, if you want:)  It can be related to healthy living or not.  It can be something you add or something you stop or something you simply change.  Add veggies to your lunch.  Pack your lunch for work.  Work out more often or longer or harder.  Try zumba.  Try running.  Try new recipes.  Write in a gratitude journal.  Journal what you eat.  Stop eating refined sugar.  Stop cursing.  Stop saying “I can’t.”  Blog more (or less) often.  Spend less (or more) time on Twitter.  Read more (or less) blogs.  Read more books.  Find balance in your life.  Improve your balance.  Balance your budget.  Budget your time better.  Add timed intervals to your cardio.  Start lifting weights.  Lift heavier weights.  Give up weighing yourself.  Give up chocolate.  Give up regrets about the past and apply what you’ve learned!

You choose.  Six weeks.  Commit here or commit on your blog or commit privately to yourself.  Whatever.  Wherever.  However.

Let’s change our past while it’s still our present.  And rewrite our future!

Ready?  Set.  Go!

Photo credit: [Vineyard Cafe]