Light Bulb Moment

You've had them, right? "Light bulb moments." There are certain things people can't tell you to do...you have to want to do it for yourself. You need to want to quit smoking or want to reconcile with a long, lost loved one or want to lose weight.

I had my light bulb moment yesterday.

Remember last month when I thought I was pregnant? Remember how I was 100% sure??? That certainty infested my thinking and allowed lots and lots of food and calories past my lips because I had thoughts of, "What's the point? I'm just going to get fat and pregnant anyway..."

Then surprise! Not pregnant. Oh well, it's the holidays. Again: what's the point??? I'll start fresh after the new year. I'll be good, I promise. But not yet. Bring on the Christmas cookies and neighbor gifts and I'll have just one more because what could it hurt?

But I knew. I felt my pants getting tighter. I saw the scale creeping higher...slowly...one pound at a time. I actually began noticing that full feeling each night after dinner. Not just satisfied. Full. I was eating to the point of being full...nightly. I'm a good cook, but not that good!

Sometimes all it takes is a light bulb moment. Mine was last night. We were eating enchiladas and they were delicious. I seemed to inhale my dinner and added a little more to my plate. Then I snuck a bite or two from Kaylin, who hadn't touched her food. As Mike finished up, he brought his dish to the sink and ran water over it. Odd, considering the fact that I only gave him one enchilada. He can put it away, that man of mine. He's no stranger to seconds.

I asked if he was full and he said, "Yeah, those were pretty filling. I don't need more. I'm good."

(gulp)

I had officially eaten more than my husband. Almost twice as much more than a man who eats a lot. Most people who eat what he eats weigh 300 pounds. Then there are others (like him) who have a crazy metabolism.

Not only did I eat more than a man not on a diet and not watching what he's eating, but I also I had dessert. And, as is now customary, I was full all night. Oh, how I hate that post-Thanksgiving meal feeling of being full.

So there it is: I can't wait until January 1st to cut back. Because at this rate, I'll have gained another 5 pounds by then.

Light bulb.