A few months ago I was making cookies for one of the children to take to a function. They were just chocolate chip cookies, but they were smelling really, really good as they were baking in the oven. And when I pulled them out they smelled even better.
Putting the cookies on the cooling rack, the phone rang. I answered it and it was a friend of mine who asked me what I was doing. I told her, and she said, “How do you keep from eating the whole batch?” I laughed and said, “Well, these are going out the door this evening so they won’t be here for long.”
But that conversation got me reminescing about my previous inability to leave the cookies alone. There were many, many times where I was asked to bring sweets to a function and I willing agreed. I’d make a batch of cookies, or a pan of brownies and tell myself, “Diane, these are for the kids class at church. Don’t eat them.” But I couldn’t resist.
It would start with just a tiny corner of one brownie, and then before I knew it a whole row was gone. Then another row. Then I had to make more. If it were cookies, I’d count out how many I needed to take to the event and begin eating just one of the “extras.” And just like the brownies, before I knew it, a dozen were missing.
So I’d make a whole ‘nother batch or pan, and then hide the what was left of the original batch for a later time. Like, later that evening when I was bored. . .
As I began to lose weight that last time, at first, I avoided baking. I’d buy bakery cookies if I was asked to bring sweets to a function, or volunteer for something boring, like salad, if there was a sign-up sheet. However, I couldn’t avoid baking forever.
One thing I learned about myself as I was losing weight was that if I didn’t eat the first one then I could resist all of them. There was something about eating that first cookie that got me going and made it difficult to stop. Especially during the first six months of my journey.
After a while, I realized that I had developed enough self-control and appreciation for the changes in my appearance and health, that I could eat a cookie (or two) without feeling as though I needed to eat a dozen. It was a very, very freeing feeling.
And that feeling of freedom was one that has stayed with me all these years of maintenance. It’s why I can now bake without diving headfirst into the brownie pan, or make one of my favorite chicken dishes (Chicken Parmseasn) and know that I will only have what I need and not what I think I may want.
Have you found a strategy that works for you along your journey when it comes to tempting foods? And has that strategy changed over time? Diane
There’s still time to enter the Gym In A Bag giveaway. The giveaway ends Wednesday at midnight CST!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Hi Diane,
It’s hard for me to imagine you eating a whole batch of cookies, but I know you did! Like you in the earlier days of your weight loss, I KNOW that unless I want to risk rack and ruin of the daily plan, I don’t have the first one of anything sweet. For now, I truly cannot handle one. I pray that someday the reasonability you now have to be able to enjoy one or 2 will settle in with me. Like they say in AA, one is too many and a thousand is not enough!
Leslie Erickson´s last blog ..Marching to spring
There is something about not starting, I do eventually have to go cold turkey. But more important for me-because it will still call my name-is to brush my teeth or do something incongruous with eating. Like a shower. He he.
JourneyBeyondSurvival´s last blog ..Ungalvanized
I’m a sucker for warm baked cookies. I stopped buying the Nestle Toll House dough – I was getting the extra large size EVERY week around Christmastime. The longer I go without buying it, the easier it is to pass it in the grocery isle. I barely flinch anymore. I’ll buy it again, but in a few months. And it’ll be a treat, not a greed-fest.
I don’t like when food controls me. I smacked pizza in the face and overcame that hurdle. Now I’m giving baked cookies a smack down too. But don’t ask me about banana bread. Nope, don’t ask.
Yum Yucky´s last blog ..Tasting! Kraft Singles Melt Downs
Drop it like it’s hot!
Good post, Diane –
I was thinking the same thing.
I have this “thing” about serving food I haven’t tasted. (I’m not a very good cook. *G*) That’s not a problem for most things, but for cookies or sweet treats, I learned to taste as I’m leaving the house on some errand or another. That serves the dual purpose of distraction and also allowing me to stop by the store for replenishment if the taste wasn’t good and I need a do-over.
Fortunately, I don’t bake too often.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Finding (and Keeping) the Mysterious Mr. Will Power, Pt 1
Im like cammy in that my cooking isnt fab and Id be too stressed to serve what I havent yet tasted.
That fact led me to manymany “downfalls” back in the day…until I finally learned the relish the taste.
Embrace and savor it.
Until I finally learned that when I had SPOOOOOONFUL after SPOONFUL it was almost as though Id not tasted it at all.
The food lost all meaning.
Miz´s last blog ..Earth Footwear 30 Day Challenge (video post).
My best strategy when baking something that is not in my best interest, i mentally tell myself that it contains a fish product( I have an allergy) and all temptation goes out the window. one thing I used to have a real weakness for was any fresh baked bread I would make. It seems that my guys have an even bigger weakness for this so I have found that when I bake, I change the recipe to make three portions only, and only buy enough of a key ingredient to make 3 portions only ( If that is impossible, the amount gets measured and the rest immediately goes into the freezer). It’s not perfect, but it works for my mind !
Diane´s last blog ..Creative pursuits
Boy can I relate to this. I can’ make chocolate chip cookies because not only do I like the warm cookies I also like the dough.
I was happy to read this because I am still mostly in the stage of avoiding baking. But now I have optimism that I will someday be able to bake for others and still stay on plan. My downfall was the chocolate chip dough! I would put small bits in the freezer for later since I liked it frozen even better. Sigh.
WaistingTime´s last blog ..Farewell February
I LOVE to bake so now I bake in moderation with healthy substitutes. Sometimes they’re not as good as the “real” thing but that’s ok…I get my fix and move it on!
Joanna Sutter´s last blog ..Ah Fudge(sicle)!
Ditto everything that you said.
I still use the bakery method for a lot of school functions – buy exactly what is needed and take them directly to function.
When we are getting things for our family – we buy exactly the number needed. But this is because there are only 4 of us home now – you have enough people that a batch of something is quickly gone with each person having some but not excess.
and I think it is important to remember that there are times for all of us, when we are under stress or having a hard time, where we are back to not baking at all, not having things in the house. This is not weakness, it is not a flaw – it is self protection.
vickie´s last blog ..Zumba M-F last week
I guess I’m still at the stage where I don’t bake. I have a hard time resisting them, so if I don’t have them, it’s a lot easier. It’s a hard balance, b/c if you avoid them forever, it’s easier to binge on them. But for me, having just a “little” leads to a lot! Still trying to work on that.
Diane, like you, for a while, I did not bake & I am not a cook or a baker anyway but I did used to bake more.. I loved the sweets & snacking on them before I gave them away or passed them on to another was not good for me.
Now, when I bake, I am usually baking healthier versions of sweets anyway, but if I don’t, I always think about how much more exercise I have to do OR what I have to give up to make up for too much snacking. It is all about thinking it thru for me & what it is worth or not worth!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Workout Towel GIVEAWAY!!!!!!
Ohmygosh!
This was an issue for me just this past Saturday. There was cookie dough sitting on the counter. I KNOW I cannot eat it but I said to myself, I’ll just eat ONE peanut butter chip! Just one! Wrong! That ONE CHIP led to a scoop which led to a few warm gooey cookies which led to ice cream and chips and ….well you get the picture. A full blown binge!
Like you, I do not eat the first one. Not even a lick or I get myself into trouble, fast! It is not that I’m an all or nothing kind of girl. It is just that I know what triggers a binge (somethimes, not always) and need to stay away from those foods. (OK, maybe I am an all or nothing kind of girl! LOL!) Especially when I’m hungry and it is a weekend.
You give me hope. You said you struggled the first 6 months. Although that number may be different for different people, it at least tells me behaviors can change.
Your chicken parmesan is a regular part of my new menu plan.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..Meal PLANNING Worksheet
When it comes to sweets, I’m just like you and can’t take that first bite or I’m doomed! As far as dinner foods like parmeasan chicken, I have adapted healthier versions which still have more calories than I would like, but i’m ok with having a smaller portion and pairing it with a real healthy veggie and salad, so that’s no longer a problem for me.
I dream of the day when 2 cookies won’t mess up my whole day of healthy eating lol
I’m still working on my willpower around sweets,etc. So far I just ban them all. It would be nice to be where you are down the road.
John´s last blog ..Challenge Review-2 months in
Yummy! Just the thought makes my mouth water….need more will power around cookies and chips!
sian-girlgetstrong´s last blog ..Giveaway-elete Electrolyte Add-In
My strategy is this: Don’t bring it in the house. If cookies or sweets are in the house, I’m going to eat them after dinner. No ifs about it. Baking for me is deadly—I can’t pass up one cookie or one brownie. That’s why I never, ever bake. (I think most people think I’m incapable.) So I just don’t stock up. Then I have no choice but to choose the healthier dessert: fruit.
I’m still “nothing or all”… if I resist the FIRST one (candy, chips, cookies, bread), I’m good to go – otherwise, it’s all downhill. I really, REALLY need to work on my self-control and moderation.
When I first started out, I blacklisted all of my trigger foods. Now I’ve gotten to the point where I can have one cookie or sweet treat without hogging the whole tray. It’s a purely mental game, though. I still prep myself for holidays and other events where this kind of temptation may surface. I find that giving myself a good pep talk is immensley valuable!
Erin´s last blog ..Trial Run
Nothing smells (or tastes) quite as good as a chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven. I’m with you on this one. If I eat the first one, it’s all over.
I used to love to bake, but I rarely do now. Now that my daughter is 15 she and her friends sometimes bake something since I don’t keep sweets in the house. I always divide up the baked goods and send them home with her friends, keeping just a few for my own children.
karen@fitnessjourney´s last blog ..Rock On
It is always hard to resist the call of the delicious chocolate chip cookies!! Like you said, as long as you don’t cave to eat that first one, you should be fine. If not, its like a dizzy spiral into the cookie batch for me.
MySensei´s last blog ..Is Kirstie Alley the Latest Celebrity Nutrition ‘Expert’
My self control over things I make at home varies a lot. I find it is actually best to make something when I am not *craving* it. If I really, really want something like cookies – I know if I make them I will be eating not only multiple cookies, but a lot of raw dough LOL!
I also have the solution of John putting things out of reach for me so I can’t just walk over and help myself. The act of having to get out a chair to reach something on top of the cupboards is usually just enough to keep myself in check. Out of sight out of mind, right?
Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last blog ..Attune chocolate bars giveaway!
I can stay away from cookies and cake but NOT fresh baked bread, corn bread, etc…so I really don’t do any bread making. Luckily the bakeries here in Belgium are good so we can buy good bread.
Amy´s last blog ..Carpe Diem
I loved this blog and am going to try to adopt the strategy of avoiding the FIRST one. Another strategy that helps me if I’m getting obsessive about a craving is to tell myself that I can have a small piece tomorrow (or after work or whenever I’ll get out of the environment in which I’m craving it). This seems to soothe my “I’m either miserable denying myself or miserable binging” mindset. Most of the time, when “later” rolls around, I don’t need the treat anymore.
shannon´s last blog ..Crunchie Lunchie
I say you are brave for making them in the first place! lol I made cookies a few weeks ago for my Mom and to take to my BF house fro dessert. They were a Weight Watchers recipe adn I still felt like I had an evil enemy in the house. lol I’m not even someone to go for sweets but I think it was the fact that those items are rarely in my home. I had 1 FOR TASTE TEST! lol and then one as dessert- then ONE more the next day with my Mom. I think I walked away unscathed.
tj´s last blog ..Baked Macaroni
I can absolutely relate to this. For me it’s still better not to touch them to begin with.
Baking is one of my biggest problems. I am notorious amongst my friends for providing sweets at parties and picnics. I LOVE to bake and I love to make people happy. I usually stick with baked goods made with more natural ingredients, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that these are still baked goods and dangerous to a girl trying to maintain weight loss.
I often find that when baking “try” too many of the finished cookies or brownies. This is why I prefer baking whole cakes because you can’t show up to the party with a piece missing.
Jenelle´s last blog ..The Benefits of Chopsticks and Other Realizations
I haven’t advanced to that stage yet. I still have to go by the potato chip aisle in the grocery store, or the whole bag is gone. Actually though, being around other people seems to keep me in check quite well.
It usually helps if I make a deal with myself before that I am going to eat “x amount” of cookies (2, 3 whatever). Then I know what I am getting into before and don’t feel as compelled to eat 15!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..Back to the Grind
I agree entirely! If I can resist having one it’s easy to resist having any. If I have one then I have to have another one.
AndrewENZ´s last blog ..Weigh-in post #9 2010: By the skin of my teeth
Such a great post!! I try to keep things I know I might eat more of completely out of the house!! Like cokes, I don’t touch. Yes, I bake cookies and brownies but to enjoy over a week not in one day. I used to eat stuff like that like there was no tomorrow. It got the better of me. I started eating smaller portions allowing myself stuff I like without losing my self-control. Now I only want 1 or 2 cookies and not the whole plate!! Like you said, it’s a very freeing feeling
Jen-JensFitnessTips.com´s last blog ..Olympic Special #10: Curling Crescent Lunge
I used to love to bake cookies — especially around Christmas and there was nothing better than eating as many cookies as I wanted as they emerged from the oven.
Now, I seldom bake unless someone requests a cake or something…
‘Drea´s last blog ..Month-End Review, February
I sort of take the opposite strategy to you in that I give myself permission to have a small portion of whatever I have made. Then, if I don’t want it, I don’t have to have it, but if I do I don’t have to feel guilty and add to an emotional eating issues that may be wanting to surface.
266´s last blog ..Slightly Anxious
For me the most important change has been to have a plan for what used to be “problem foods” (because I ate too much of them). If it fits into my day, I’ll have a firm plan to have one cookie, and then I stop. But sometimes it doesn’t fit into my day, and then I plan to have none. It just has to all balance itself out at the end of the day… I guess being truly mindful before I eat anything/plan to eat anything has really worked for me.
Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..Happy Monday and Weekly Meals
This is so true about just staying away from that first one.
I also find it easier to tell myself that I need to wait until they are all done baking to have one. Then I will enjoy it instead of eating it while standing up continuing to bake.
Very good post, as always!
Leah´s last blog ..ATTUNE giveaway
Love this! My perspective has always been this; that the 2nd bite of anything — any food, any treat will never test better than the first bite. So, why take it any further? The first spoonful of ice cream is a treat — the last one is usually long overdue.
Emergefit´s last blog ..Peeling back the layers of success…
I too am learning that I can’t have “just one” and that I do much better if I don’t have any at all…but it’s killing me a little because I desperately want the “one.” Hopefully I’ll get stronger the more I work on this!
Sarah´s last blog ..Week 42: -4.4
Yep, I know exactly what you mean about the cookies. Which is why I am currently on Day 6 of my own 10 Day challenge to be cookie-free. No cookies, candies, cakes – no sweets for 10 days. I needed to go cold turkey for awhile because I was getting seriously out of control with the GirlScout cookies! I’ve done really well and now that I know I won’t DIE without dessert, I’ll probably extend my challenge, just to see if I can do it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is run away from temptation!
Jill´s last blog ..Team SassyPear is a go!
Portion control, like you said. You’re always so eloquent and convey emotion so well, I love it! I think for me, it was taking food OFF this pedestal and not giving it more credit than it deserved. As soon as food is not the center of your life, and you make YOU the center of your life, a healthy, maintainable equilibrium is reached.
Nicole, RD´s last blog ..Happy National Nutrition Month!
I can not have some foods in the house. Keeping them out of sight and reach is the only way I can overcome some addictions…
Mackattack (Beth)´s last blog ..Roasted Brussels Sprouts
You’re so right about not eating the first one! Although I have gotten a lot better at stopping after one, too. I just discovered your blog, and your weigh loss is very inspiring. Thanks for sharing! I’m nearly 50 pounds through what will hopefully be a 125 pound loss for me.
Chad´s last blog ..Nutrition From the Ground Up
if I’m going to indulge, I do my best to stay at the 1,200-1,300 calories a day max limit.
Sunny´s last blog ..Lucky Me! Two New Blog Awards! (now, lucky you!)
Yes! yes! yes! Diane I love this post… thankyou for sharing about the One cookie… it’s so true!
If I don’t eat the first cookie, I won’t want the rest.. lol! I am at the ‘I can’t bake or I fall off the wagon” part in this journey. Looking forward to not have such a pull, and being able to bake again!
You are such an encouragement! Thankyou for all you share!
Amy S,´s last blog ..Thankyou
[...] Las Vegas | Beautiful-Las-Vegas.comNew Poker Champion of World Series Announced | The Quincy Covefit to the finish » Leave the First One AloneMedia team finish first in class on Rallye Sunseeker | RallyBuzzPeters to Start Season for [...]
My best way to avoid this, is just not to bake alone. If I am alone, I would eat the whole dozen. If others are here, then I can easily resist. Haven’t quite figured that one out yet..
If others are home, baking actually helps me to stay on track. I don’t even have the urge. If I am at work alone at my desk or If I am home alone, the urges just seem overwhelming.
Thanks Diane, I just never even realized this until I started commenting. WOW
Jules – Big Girl Bombshell´s last blog ..What Type of Person are You?
Baking is challenging for me because it can be a trigger for me. Warm cookies and brownies….I did make some brownies this weekend and ended up eating about 1 over the course of a couple of days. I wrapped them all up individually and gave them away. It was a positive experience for me!
Kat´s last blog ..Charlie update, Brownies, and Jody has a giveaway on her blog
My strategy for a while was to bake cookies that I really didn’t care for like snickerdoodles. LOL