Happy Birthday to ME!!!

My birthday celebration started yesterday and will last through next Tuesday!!!! Every chance I get, I sign myself and J-boy up for birthday clubs. It is a great thing because they give free stuff to club members on their birthday or various other times during the year. I've lost count of the number of restaurant chains and ice cream parlors I have received coupons from since last week. In year's past, I would have used every single one of them, and anxiously anticipated J-boy's cache starting next week. (Most of the places send the coupons electronically the week before your birthday and they are good until the week after.)

This time it was different. My frugal nature wanted to take advantage of all of the free stuff, but I was sort of nervous about all of the calories involved. Really, I got sort of fidgety and anxious thinking that I was somehow obligated to cash in all the coupons. When I finally considered it, I realized that there were only two eating establishments that I really enjoyed and wanted to patronize for my birthday. I even asked J-boy if we could use one for my birthday and the other for his since our birthdays are so close together, but he thought I might feel deprived and over indulge in other areas if I cut back too much. He is often much wiser than I, so I agreed.


Last night we went to a hamburger place, where my coupon was good for a free hamburger. I knew exactly what I wanted, so I went to the establishment's website and easily found the calorie count. It was set up where the hamburger could be customized so that there was no doubt as to the number of calories. For instance. the burger I wanted came with mayo, but I hate mayo with a deep passion generally reserved for vegetables. So, I selected the burger then customized it to have no mayo, and for the record no tomato too, but they don't have a lot of calories. I also wanted fries because they have really good thick steak fries. Once I had my calorie count, for that meal, I knew how many I had left for breakfast & lunch. (Planning is key in a situation like this!)

As soon as I got home from work, I hopped on the elliptical and went for it. Every time I felt like slowing down, I thought about those french fries and kicked it back in gear. I had one of the best workouts I've had in a while. I was motivated!!

I feel good about it because I'd planned for it. When I got home, I didn't feel like I should just eat everything else because my calorie budget was blown. It wasn't. My weight was up 0.4 lbs this morning, but I know it wasn't from overeating. I think it was the salt on those fries, which by the way, I did not eat all of!

Tonight, we'll be going out again. Once again, I have decided what I want and how much it will cost in calories. I'm looking at it just like cash. I only have so much to spend and when it is gone, it is gone.

My sweet family has agreed to a joint party for J-boy and me next week. That will eliminate one eating occasion. My 20 year old nephew is making the cake. I can't wait to try it. My plan for that party and whatever J-boy chooses for his birthday will be the same as last night. Budget my calories carefully and exercise my tail off!! Whew...I think I can do this.