I Still Think about Ice Cream

I feel like my head is in the right place for getting to my goal now. For me getting my mind right is the biggest part of the battle. I know what I can and cannot eat to get to my goal. I'm fine with operating within those parameters. But that doesn't mean that I don't think about ice cream, or that cookie dough waiting to be baked. I do. It is different now though.

Before I started dieting if ice cream popped in to my head, and stayed there, I'd go get some. Simple as that. When I first started dieting seriously a couple of years ago if ice cream popped in to my head, I'd immediately banish the thought. I could not have those thoughts rolling around up there torturing me, knowing I couldn't have any. There were times when I would be counting calories so that technically ice cream was allowed, and if the thoughts could not be banished, I'd try to work it in. That didn't always result in the outcome for which I hoped.  :)

Now, however, when thoughts of ice cream float into my head. I think about how it would be good to have a bite or two right now. I might even contemplate the creaminess and the coolness in my mouth and throat. I might think of which flavor would be particularly appealing right now. After a moment, I sigh and remind myself this isn't the time in my life for ice cream. And I move on.

It is similar to me thinking about being at the beach. Often when I'm at work thoughts of being on the beach pop in to my head unbidden. I'll think about the sun on my face and the sand between my toes. I'll mentally hear the surf and feel the breeze. Then I'll sigh and get back to work. I know this isn't the time in my life to be at the beach and I move on.

I know that one day, I'll go to the beach again. I know I don't live there. It is just a rare, sweet indulgence. Same way with ice cream. One day, I'll have ice cream again. It won't be an everyday thing, just a rare, sweet indulgence. In the meantime, back to work.