Roses are Red, Program Still Works

I started last week on such a positive note after writing the blog—which, unfortunately, ended the moment I hit post.

I didn’t set myself up for success after coming back from vacation or in preparation for last weekend’s lovely snowstorm. I skipped grocery shopping entirely, relied on takeout and vending machine snacks for both lunch and dinner, and didn’t drink nearly as much water as I should have. Instead, I downed tea like it was going out of style in an attempt to nurse the lovely sinus infection I brought home as a souvenir from vacation.

It’s one thing to make sure you’re properly stocked with nutritious foods ahead of an impending storm—but it’s just as important to do so when you’re under the weather.

Suffice it to say, I wish I had weighed in right after the cruise. Even though I wasn’t feeling great, at least then I’d know whether the four pounds I gained were cruise-related… or the result of last weekend’s takeout soup and pizza. Now, I’ll never really know.

Either way, I’m accepting those extra pounds with confidence. I know that being fully back on Program will shed them quickly—and considering there was an all-you-can-eat buffet on board, those pounds could have been a lot more.

As I mentally recommitted to getting back on track—hydrating properly, grocery shopping like a responsible adult, and letting those extra pounds roll off without panic—I realized how closely my thoughts were tied to food, habits, and the way we treat ourselves (or don’t). Maybe that’s why my mind wandered, as it often does, during my commute this morning—from takeout soup and vending machine snacks straight into the unavoidable topic of the season: Valentine’s Day, indulgences, and what we actually want versus what we’re told we should want.

While driving to work, before my car switched over to music, I caught about two seconds of a radio host talking about gifts people do—and do not—want for Valentine’s Day.

Sadly, this isn’t something I truly need to worry about, because Penny has never once gotten me a Valentine’s gift. Rude. Meanwhile, I give her extra treats because she is wildly spoiled.

I’m not a fan of talk radio, but one point the host made had my eyes rolling: chocolates were somehow on both the “to gift” and “do not gift” lists. According to whatever research they conducted, men want chocolates, while women don’t—especially not in a heart-shaped box.

So that got me thinking: what would I want from my Valentine?

As much as I enjoyed chocolate and candy pre-Program, I wouldn’t want a significant-other encouraging old habits—even if a candy bar technically fits on the Elective List. Flowers are lovely but a bit cliché, and while a romantic dinner out is always fun, those Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menus are rarely Program-friendly.

I think I’ve made my decision. The Valentine’s gift I truly want is the one item that’s been sitting on my family gift list for the last three years—an item everyone refuses to buy me: the six-foot, life-size giant teddy bear from my Amazon wish list.

Speaking of romantic gestures, during the ABBA sing-along party on board, a woman asked me if I was the girl who got proposed to during the late-night game show the night before. I promptly showed her my very naked finger as proof that it was not me.

So while I’ll be spending this Valentine’s Day among fellow singles (and hosting speed dating at Foxwoods—come for the love, stay for the entertainment), I’m choosing to focus on connection, laughter, and showing up for myself.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, friends, family, or just your favorite four-legged Valentine, remember this: getting back on track doesn’t require perfection—just intention. A stocked fridge, a full water bottle, and a little self-compassion can go a long way. And sometimes, the best love we can give this season is simply taking care of ourselves.

This week:  4 pounds gained

Total loss so far: 50 pounds