After going a wee bit overboard for a week and a half, I finally put my foot down yesterday and made an effort to listen to my hunger cues. I did fairly well, although the foot sort of came back up at night and I got friendly with the desserts. Something is better than nothing though.
I have to tell myself that because I am a long time member of the all or nothing club. If I’ve eaten a bowl of ice cream, then I think why not have a second? And a third? Dare I say a fourth? I don’t think that way about spending money though. If I buy a purse, I don’t think why not buy a second or a third? That would be silly. I can always buy another purse later and I can always eat another bowl of ice cream later.
So I’ve joined The Something Club. It’s possible to have something–not all and not nothing.
Tell me: Which club are you in? How do you combat the all-or-nothing mentality?
***
Can you believe I went out for a run yesterday in a long sleeve t-shirt?! Boy was it chilly and windy. I ran 1 mile and felt like I couldn’t go on. As I was walking back, totally defeated, I noticed the entrance to a Sugarland Run Trail that led into the forest. On a whim, I decided to take it and before I knew it, I had run 3 miles. Although I set out for 4 miles, I had to remind myself of my membership in The Something Club. Three miles was still something. It wasn’t all that I hoped to run but it was better than nothing.
Afterwards, I hopped on the elliptical for 20 min. and squeezed in a quick 15 min. of leg weights.
Post workout:
Ingredients:
I’ve been snackin’ on these Rice & Bean Chips a lot recently (from Costco). I don’t even like chips that much, yet my hand keeps reaching in this bag.
So so so so good. I had this x2.
Dinner:
Made with a Sashimi Grade Ahi Tuna filet and Whole Grain Tortilla from Costco.
I marinated an ahi tuna filet in a combination of Ginger Soy Vinaigrette, wasabi, and sesame seeds.
Then I pan-seared the filet until only the outside was cooked.
Sliced and wrapped up with spinach, tomatoes, avocado, and more sauce.
I got my inspiration for this wrap from the Peppercorn Crusted Tuna Wrap I got on campus a few times.
Side salad:
Dessert/Snax:
My dad got several bars of Lindt Chocolate when he was in Frankfurt earlier this week. As you can see, I’ve made my way through this hazelnut bar.
+1/2 bag of M&Ms
A whole grapefruit (only half shown):
Eat Natural Bar:
I also baked a small loaf of Avocado Banana Bread and ate two slices.
***
I need to find something to do at night that doesn’t involve sitting in my kitchen browsing recipes. It makes me uber-munchie and inspires me to bake. Maybe I’ll get a job at Chipotle down the street. I just saw a Craigslist post saying they’re hiring.
Yep, I’m about to graduate with a 4-year degree and I’m thinking about making burritos. Something is better than nothing, right?
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Your food always looks so delicious
I’m definitely a member of the all or nothing club. It’s hard sometimes. Sometimes I have to be really strict with myself and my food intake just because I know that’s how I work and after a while it’ll feel natural to me.. but yeah, starting is the hard part. I’ve been trying to be more moderate but sometimes I fail.
Glad to see you’re getting back in control – sometimes we just need an “off-week”. I’m a victim of all-or-nothing thinking, too, and, well, it’s hard. I’ll happily join the Something club… work with me?
Oh, I remember that wrap! The amount of spinach in the school one was INSANE! Literally half the wrap was spinach… and it was layered DENSELY, too! I must recreate that.
Wei-Wei
What a great post- I think I would like to join The Something Club! I’m the same way though; if I’ve already eaten half the bar of chocolate, I think why not just finish it up?! Sigh.
I must say your tuna wrap looks beautiful!
I am all-or-nothing for sure! If I eat something sweet, I always have to go back for more. I need to practice the “something” mentality! Have a great day
This really hits home with me because so often I fall into the “ALL or Nothing club”. I really feel like I fail myself if I don’t accomplish every single part or aspect of what I set out to do. This is on all levels on my life, not just my workouts or healthy eating so I realize that I need to work on it as a whole. I am so glad you are able to realize that it’s not always How much or you or what you do, but where your heart is when you are doing it!
You’re awesome Allie. Love ya!
Hey Allie! I graduated with an English degree and worked as a waitress for over a year before I put my degree to good use.
So I understand applying for any job you see right now! While it wasn’t using my degree, it allowed me to meet some great friends, make money, and look for another job while I was there. I say go for it…yummy, Chipotle discount. 
Nice post Allie. as a lifelong, card carrying member of the all or nothing club, i had absolutely no idea other clubs, like the something club, existed! i’m ditching this club and joining the something club with you!
Hey -I just graduated as well and am working as a nanny and got excited to get a job at Old Navy. Gotta take what we can get now, huh?
Wow, that dinner sounds fancy! And my gosh, you are brave with that rare tuna…I’m always so scared of food poisoning :s
I’m an all-or-nothing club member too, but I’m trying to find a balance!! Listening to hunger cues and having just a small amount of something is so hard sometimes..I really admire Kath at Kath Eats – she’s queen of listening to her body!
Have a good day
I LOVE Lindt chocolate, it’s the best!!!
im in a little raw food potluck club.. i used to be all 100% raw is the way! but now im in a totally dif mentality. i just eat raw when i want and eat whatever else when i want too. that way i can be either 10% raw or 90% raw in a given day and not feel like im doing anything bad. its all mental games we play in our heads, hard to get over, but incredibly liberating when we do. <3
I’m SO a member of the something club. The all or nothing club is so 1985…
Wow kudos to you for taking a risk and running down that trail! I’m glad that you found it!!
NO WAY!! chipotle ad on Craigslist?? I’d totally work there for a couple days, but i can imagine that it’s one of those places that you might not actually enjoy after day 5….I get the munchies too after dinner and i resort to recipe reading…hence munchies. I’ve recently discovered some addicting shows on Hulu like Millionaire matchmaker and Holidate. hahaha Those have been helpful in distractin me!
I struggle with the all-or-nothing mentality sometimes too. It’s difficult to overcome, but I think the majority of the time, something IS better than nothing. ..and looking at the glass full [3 miles rather than 4] will make for a happier, healthier mind. Go get baking! ; )
So true and so wise Allie! I think women just have such a hard time with beating ourselves up when we don’t feel like we are “perfect” and whatever definition they have of it. Which with eating, can lead to that “all or nothing” mentality and then I feel like it’s just a bad cycle. I’m all about joining you in the “Something Club!” Oh I ran a 5K race on Saturday and it was FREEZING and windy and a little drizzly. We had such a perfect spring then it got so cold! But I felt so great that I could do it without leg pain-which was really bad the days before it. It wasn’t an amazing finishing time, but I’m just happy I ran it-SOMETHING is better than nothing!
I’m a member of the all-or-nothing club, unfortunately. It goes back to my ED days, when three chocolate chips would bring on the waterworks because I’d “ruined” my day of eating. Oy. I’ve gotten much better at stopping with treats, but certain foods I just can’t control myself around…cake and mixed nuts are the worst! Chipotle actually sounds like a fun job…I’ll bet you get as much free guacamole as you want
I’m def a member of the “all or nothing club”, which has lead to a ton of issues with food over the past year. Right now I feel like I’m back on track, which is good, but it’s hard to find that balance. I almost can’t even watch the food Network because it makes me want to eat everything in the kitchen. About working at Chipotle, why not? It’s good experience, and it will def help figure out what direction you want to go in. Working at Borders (and now Borders and Macy’s) has def helped me see what direction I want to go in!
lol, I saw those eat natural bars in Marshalls also!
Anyways, yes, the “Something Club” can work for many different aspects of life! I definitely am in the something club when it comes to working out.
And also when it comes to eating when I’m not hungry. Sometimes it’s dinner time, I know I should eat (says my metabolism), but I don’t want to. something then is definitely better than nothing! Anyways congrats again on graduation and being home!
Stay optimistic and make sure to get out of the house or you’ll go craaaAAAazy!
I am the same way when it comes to eating sweets! So glad I’m not alone!! If I have one peice of chocolate..I think, I’ve already blown it, might as well have more. Pretty soon..the whole thing is gone lol It’s awful, but I’m so joining the something club!
Your wrap sounds delicious too! How do you get it to look so good? Mine are always falling apart and don’t look very good at all lol but at least they taste good! That’s all that matters, right?
Oh I am definitely a part of the all or nothing club…unfortunately! I think I’ve been avoiding cereal for months because if I have 1 bowl I HAVE to have 2 or 3. There’s never just 1 bowl of cereal for me…THAT’S my weakness!
Oh i am the same way, but more when i am studying less when i am at home. I figured i already ate bad why not just count the whole day as ruined, I am trying to learn moderation! seems like lots of bloggers were able to .. maybe someday… lol
Unfortunately, I am totally a member of the all or nothing club–I live by extremes. I’m working on it though…
I recognize those blue and white plates–Target??
I’ve been looking at the craigs list job postings and went over to the restaurant section… it’s tempting.
I really like your thoughts about the all-or-nothing eating (after I just went for an all eat and am telling myself I need to nothing tomorrow). It is so great to see someone who has struggled with it and is working towards balance. Thanks for your honesty here
Katherine
I definitely try to be part of the something club but a lot of the time I can be all or nothing, ie, eating or exercising! What a fun way to cut up a grapefruit – I have to try that!
I am totally an all or nothing girl. I am trying so hard not be that way. It is always feast or famine for me. I completely have binge issues and am trying so hard to be better.
Something definitely IS better than nothing. I’ve never been a part of the all or nothing club.. I’m not sure why. I also tend to go overboard with sweets at night. My sweet tooth is INSANE.
The ahi tuna wrap sounds amazing!!!!
Hey!
gum or drinking water usually helps!
I’m DEFINITELY in the all-or-nothing club. And it’s more likely than not, the ALL club. I’ve had lots of trouble with this in the past (like where I just don’t know portion sizes), but come to terms with “treating myself”, and allowing myself one “treat” per day. On the whole, I am really healthy (vegan, exercise daily….), and so I’ve had to teach myself that a treat is something I deserve. But it’s still hard to stop after just one cupcake
Fancy lunch.
SOMETHING CLUB!
I have a four year bachelor of music with honors in music education and a four year bachelor of arts in english language and literature… my job? THE NAVY! Not even as an officer (which requires a degree), my job requirement: a grade 10 education, preferably high school graduation, but not required.
Ha. At least food and fitness is delicious and a wonderful pass time?!
Those eat natural bars are so good!!!!! I get them whenever I go to england. I have them like once a day heh
<3 Dana
http://happinessiswithin.wordpress.com/
girl.. love that you realize a few days off from the gym is not going to make you gain 10 pounds. I am just saying that I just took 3 weeks off because I was sick and did not change my eating patterns and probably even indulged more than usual and do not think I gained anything.. maybe a pound… but I feel different. I know how you feel.
Hope home is good…. and Chipotle is my favorite so you should totally get a job there.
After years of “starting tomorrow/on monday etc” and gorging on declicious treats (one time I ate half a kilo bag of natural muesli), I read the Beck Diet solution which looks into your thoughts and tries to change them and that helped a lot although I always forget what I learnt in there! I guess the best way for me to combat the all of nothing is by congratulating myself when i can, even after mistakes! Even if I have had a whole bag of doritos and two chocolate bars, I congratulate myself for not diving into a pint of chocolate ice-cream(this time). And that helps me remember I am human and make mistakes, so I dont go crazy and eat everything, vowing to “start again tomorrow”. Instead I say “from this moment I am restarting, there is no ‘one last hurrah’ because that was it!”
I need to join the Something Club. Sometimes I am a member… but I am also a member of the Nothing Club or the Everything Club at other times, so, I should work on that a bit more
And don´t worry about considering Chipotle! I get home from the Peace Corps in six months, I´ll be 24 and a half, and I am moving in with my parents for six months or so before grad school… And all I want to do is get a job at Starbucks or Whole Foods! It sounds fun and a good transition. Something is better than nothing
That tuna looks fantastic! I agree something is better than nothing, and at least something is progress! Nothing is just…well…nothing. I’ve been in the all or nothing club much of my life and have been taking steps to find the median. I’m like that with food, exercise and work. Shopping…forget about it haha. I actually don’t even like shopping that much. I support your burrito making. It would be something to do while looking for something which is certainly better than nothing
.
Mmmm…hazelnut chocolate.
I think I’m part of the something club too. You can’t have it all, but you do need some.
Can I join the something club? I definitely need it. I’ve been hitting the all or nothing club a lot lately. Case in point last night- me + kitchen counter + spoon + giant tub of brownie ice cream = field day. Mmm nope, not liking that club so much. I’ve been hitting it up lately because I’ve been just kicking it at home though, doing a whole lot of not much… other than that whole recipe browsing thing that is just oh so fun right?! The Chipotle job sounds like a good idea, anything for a little extra cash and to keep busy is always a good idea. I need to find a simple job like that too right now… siiiigh.
I think I’ve always been a member of “the something club” which is why I’ve never really had weight issues or anything like that. (I’ve also always loved to run and am blessed with a great metabolism, but nevermind that.) I tell people that I eat ice cream every day…not a HUGE bowl, but I look forward to it and enjoy it and I don’t ever feel like I’m limiting myself.
Get a job at a bakery! I’m sure they pay just as much as Chipotle…
Those chips are awesome!!! It’s a local boulder company…so many good food companies in Colorado!
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