15 Days – Hanging Tough

A quick update ’cause I’m supposed to be writing for the corporate overlords, not you beautiful people.

Last night I went to Polvo’s with my Dave and our dear friend Stefanie. For non-Austinites, Polvo’s is a Tex-Mex joint that is the definition of “South Austin.” Flashing neon sign, hipsters drinking beer and margaritas in the parking lot while waiting for tables, island-ish music on the sound system. It was rockin’ last night – and Stef declared she was “totally ready for a margarita.”

Without thinking I said, “I’m having a drink, too.”

Then I remembered: October Clean-Up.

And I thought for a long minute, “I can have a drink if I want.” [pout]

I did not have a drink.
I did not eat even a tiny nibble of a corn tortilla chip.
I did not eat any tortillas.
I did not eat refried beans.
I ate grilled shrimp, hold the rice, double salad, with a side of guacamole.

(I’ll wait while your applause dies down.)

Just now, after a 100% dino-chow breakfast and lunch, I thought, “I’m working so hard this week. I’m going to treat myself and get one of those 25-cent Diet Cokes out of the soda machine.”

But my wallet saved me from myself – I had no coins.

So I refilled my water and got my snack: sardines, olives, green peppers, cucumbers, snap peas, and jicama.

I’m doing great in spite of myself.

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Comments

  • Alaina says:

    Way to go Melissa – your anti-carb will power at the Mexican restaurant is inspiring!

  • Emily says:

    Yeah, today I rewarded myself for a good job interview with a muffin because I AM A BITCH TO MYSELF

  • Mz. G says:

    Hi Melissa. I've been secretly reading your blog now for a while (lurking is so bizarre) and just really enjoy how you share your struggles and triumphs. Thank you for your clever and very relatable honesty.

    Good job being "good" at Polvo's! I feel a 30 day challenge coming on soon…but haven't yet committed. But reading your posts help, so big thank yous. Angie

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Alaina –> Thank you! I was kinda feeling sorry for myself for a few minutes there last night, but then I rallied. Once I'd decided not to even eat a bite of a chip, it was actually easier.

    Emily –> Was the muffin delicious? I hope you enjoyed it!

    Angie –> Hi! Thanks for commenting! Let me/us know when you start your 30 days so we can cheer you on!

  • Lauren says:

    Go, Melissa! I can't say I'd have the same willpower at our local Mexican place, but I aspire to 🙂

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Thanks, Lauren! I bet you can do it… it's all a matter of channeling the mentality of a very stubborn three-year-old 😉

  • Meghan says:

    Yay for control at the Mexican restaurant! 🙂 My girlfriends and I get mixed fajitas, no rice and beans, sub pico de gallo and extra guac. Best. Thing. Ever!!!!

  • Lea says:

    Good job at fighting the urge….I know how hard it is. But it feels good to have stayed strong, doesn't it?
    Tonight I dreamed that I was holding a really big pretzel, it felt so delicious in my hands (I know – it's a dream), but somehow I found the strength to put it away. I didn't eat it!
    What my dream taught me: if somebody is going to give me a pretzel today, I certrainly know what (not) to do with it 😉

  • Martin says:

    Congrats, Melissa! It's hard to remember the feeling of pride you'll have after resisting temptation when those chips and margaritas are staring you down.

    Just started working with the Whole9 folks a week ago, and your site has been really helpful with getting meal planning tips. I now have plastic containers of par-steamed red cabbage and broccoli in my fridge waiting for an easy saute. What a great idea! And I love the Sunbutter sauce, even my (militantly non-paleo) partner likes the stuff.

  • Trixie says:

    LOl..you crack me up!!!

  • Lydia says:

    Go, Mel!

    Not drinking just because I want to makes the special occasions when I *do* have a glass of wine *so much better*. That was a very poorly constructed sentence, but you know what I mean.

    Keep on keepin' on. No corn chip will taste as good as those strudels in Prague, so savor that memory instead of indulging.

    XOXO

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Meghan –> Fajitas are a great safe choice, right?! At Polvo's, they have fajitas tossed with a few raisins, pecans, and some kind of awesome chili powder. I think I'm going to reverse engineer the recipe…

    Martin –> Congrats on start with Whole9! I'm glad you're finding my site helpful — let me know how you like the veggies cooked that way. And yes, Sunbutter wins over even the staunchest skeptics!

    Trixie –> YAY!

    Lydia –> I totally get what you're saying about the wine, and yes, the memory of REALLY delicious poison makes it easier to say no to local poison 😉

  • Erika Superguts says:

    Okay, I have to admit…I've been "blogstalking" for a few weeks now, and think your blog is FABULOUS! First off, I wanted to share that I too have been dealing thyroid crap (had Graves Disease and radioactive iodine treatment that killed off most of my thyroid funtion) and the ups and downs of synthroid. While most of my experience has been positive, there has always been that desperate need in the back of my head to be OFF the meds and that I SHOULD be off the meds because I take such good care of myself, right? So, I can definitely relate and seriously…kudos and applause to you for the amazing way you've handled it!

    My take on things might be a bit different from yours, but overall…I think we have the same general goals with food and fitness (and clothing, spy-"wear", and being a bad-ass superhero). I'm interested in hearing more about what you've discovered about yourself through nutrition (though I guess I could just blogstalk and read your older posts, right?) and would also love for you to weigh in on my own blog post about FOOD!

    http://gutsygirlsadventures.blogspot.com

    Keep fighting the good fight!!!!

  • Angie says:

    Oh, the amazing will power it takes to resist chips and salsa and tortillas. You rock!

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Angie –> When the chips hit the table they were warm and TOTALLY taunting my nose. It was a bit painful, but then I thought about wanting to feel like a superhero. sigh

  • michele says:

    Emily made me laugh out loud.

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Hi, Erika! Thanks for calling my blog "fabulous"… I love that! And I'm really glad that you like it. Thanks, too, for sharing your thyroid adventures. It's a b*tch, isn't it?! LOVE your blog. And I'm about to send you an email to we can geek about food, thyroid, etc.

    Michele –> Emily totally cracked me up, too. Thanks, Emily!

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