Treat Rules

I have treats whenever I want them. My rule: they just have to fit in my daily calorie allowance. I put them in before I eat them - if I go over, I either have a smaller portion, or get my butt on the bike/to the gym. For me, this works. Knowing that I can have them, but that it's about making a conscious choice, means that I actually eat treats less frequently, but I choose better (ie. yummier) ones when I have them. Over the past month, I've found myself looking at the bowl of chips at the office thinking - does it fit in my day? Is a handful (ie. 200 calories) worth 20 minutes on the bike? Most days, I just walk away and save the treat for when I really want something. Because at the end of the day, I don't want to be going to bed hungry. 200 calories can be a lot of food or 7 chips.

You can treat yourself (in moderation) to things. But you have to have the mindset that it is a treat.

For mothers day with my mom and sisters, I wasn't going to deny that piece of cheesecake! But I knew that int he morning, I was going straight back to my healthy lifestyle.

The next morning I felt awful! Then I remembered how eating healthy makes me feel so it was easy to jump back on the saddle and move on!

I am going away for the weekend with my husband this weekend. Will I have a "treat" probably. I know I am packing a small cooler or fruits, veggies, and nuts for the hotel though. Thank goodness they have a gym!

I have a No Sugar Added Klondike bar every day after dinner. That's my signal that eating is over for the day. After that, I never eat anything else. I do Weight Watchers Flex Points and it's 3 points for a really satisfying dessert. Sometimes I put some strawberries on top and a little Cool Whip Free.

Unfortunately, I also like to treat myself to a little vodka & Ruby Red Light or a glass of wine every day, too! So that's two treats. Oh, and then I like to have a granola bar with my coffee every morning, that makes it three treats. Oh, my. . .let's just say, I like a lot of treats.

I also love Lean Cuisine spinach and mushroom pizzas and their baked ziti - so if I have those, I consider them "treats" even though they are part of main meals.

I guess I would have to say that I try to make EVERYTHING I eat a "treat" or else I don't eat it. I love vegetables, so a big bowl of steamed broccoli or brussels sprouts with spray butter is actually a treat for me.

Log everything, stay in your budget, and if you want a "treat" earn it by saving calories for the rest of the day (or the day before and after) or EXERCISE.

And drop that "oh, it's a treat day, I might as well..." because that is the perfect way to turn an acceptable indulgence into a day you'll deeply regret.

And if you fall off the wagon occasionally, forgive yourself and move on.

I usually eat my treats Friday through Monday as I love snacks, but Tuesday through Thursday I try not to have that sort of thing, but sometimes I still do. I work around them in my calories so as not to go over. I buy lots of 100 calories treats like Skinney cow icream etc.. I do have cheat days where I eat what I want all day but I make sure I get back on track the next day. Yes it can be hard but if you put your mind to it you can get back on track. You just have to incorporate things in your meals that you really enjoy so you don't feel your missing out

Every night I have a small treat that's normally under 200 calories or so. I normally go for the Skinny Cow or Weight Watcher or Smart One ice creams, dark chocolate, 100 cal packs, No Pudge brownies, a Pepperidge Farm cookie, etc. This helps me stay on track AND allows me to enjoy myself! Every so often, like this coming Friday, I treat myself to frozen yogurt or something with a friend.

Something kindof obvious, but something I didn't figure out for a long time, is that I would give myself "treats" that weren't really treats-- I mean, I would eat chocolate even though chocolate isn't something I LOVE (I like it, just don't love it). That's a waste of a treat. Plus it really made me think about what I'm eating and what I like.

Treats for me are cheese, a big batch of homemade popcorn, and Irish Cream. Not all at once. But still.

And my philosophy is, as long as you can keep it an honest-to-god treat, as in once a week, make sure it's the full-fat full-calorie version. If you'd rather have it every day, then a healthy version is probably better.