It's all in the mind

What you think becomes reality. I've known that forever. I am constantly trying to tell people that, and remind myself of it, and they don't always believe me. But it's true. Another way to put it:

And he was right. I don't know how many times I've taken a deep breath, straightened my shoulders and said to myself "I can do this" and then done it. Sometimes it doesn't happen right away. Sometimes I have to work at it, but eventually I will do it. Or course, on the flip side, when I've said I can't do something I generally give up trying. So maybe it's just the act of continuing to try until you get it. Maybe it has nothing to do with the mindset at all, but everything to do with stubbornness. Okay, I won't go there now....

The reason for this post is actually to talk about food. I've been on Paleo since the end of October and I love it, I really do. But one thing I haven't been able to let go of mentally is sweets. I keep trying to make paleo desserts. I've had a couple of decent successes; lilikoi bars, coconut Larabars and scones. But I've had some dismal failures too: brownies. Last night I tried a pineapple upside down cake. It came out okay. If I make it again, there are a couple of things I would change, but Hubby really liked it. I, on the other hand, was seriously disappointed with it and doused each piece I ate with honey. Which led me to a major revelation. I don't want to eat sweets just to eat sweets. In other words, I'm not going to make paleo desserts just so that I can have dessert. I'd rather treat myself once in a while to the real thing. So instead of making a pineapple upside-down cake that is so-so and dousing it with honey, I'd rather just have one slice of a really good pineapple upside-down cake. Does that make sense? I don't want to have dessert just to have it. I want it to be a treat, something really special and real.

I don't think I want to find ways to eat things I'm not allowed, like sweets and breads, I'd rather just do without them and have them as special treats. I think the act of having them, even if they are paleo, creates a mindset of eating desserts. I'd rather just break the habit completely. Because, aside from the mental side of it, it's extra calories I don't need. When I crave something a little sweet, dates fill the bill.

So it's time to completely change my mind set. No desserts, real or paleo, and that's that. Also, January 15 starts the new paleo challenge and I'm going level 10, I need to prepare.