So, I’m a tiny bit partial to the odd slice of pizza – not thick doughy based bendy pizza, that isn’t my thing at all, I’m a thin and crispy girl all the way. It’s a rare treat though to be fair, it would never occur to me to order pizza in…if we’re having a takeaway it’ll usually be Chinese food. Pizza’s a bit brutal on the points budget so it’s not a great choice, but I spent the evening with friends on Friday night and that’s what everyone fancied so I threw myself into the spirit of things. Four slices, within points, enough to feel like I’d had a good innings at the pizza box and it was scrummy. All things being equal that should have been it for a while. Except I just ate it again last night for the second time in three days. But I swear, this time I only meant to sniff it.
Someone had put a late meeting in at work, five ’till half seven and it’s kind of an unwritten rule that if someone expects you to extend your working day into the evening, the least they can do is feed you. I did a quick risk assessment on the likelihood of being offered something worth having, but given that it’s generally nothing more exciting than half a dozen custard creams on a plate in the middle of the boardroom table – which is so wide that nobody can ever reach the plate without a very undignified bend and reach manoeuvre – I thought I’d be safe. And I was, until the pizza arrived.
Ten large pizzas…five of which were thin crust, and two of which were thin crust pepperoni. And they smelled amazing. It was six hours since I’d had my lunch, and it had been a really trying day…my defences were low m’lud…that’s why, when the asshole in my mind suggested I could go stand next to the pizza box and just, you know breathe in, it seemed like a great idea. I mean, no harm in that, right..? And I might have gotten away with it too if someone hadn’t handed me a plate, before staring at me expectantly, waiting for me to take a slice and move on, get out of his way.
What’s a girl to do? I could hardly say it’s ok, I’m just sniffing it…even I know that makes me sound like a freak. So I allowed myself to get carried along for the ride and before I knew it my jaws were moving and I was staring down at my plate which appeared to have a half eaten slice of pizza on it. I mean it’s not the biggest disaster in the world, since I can point it, and count it. Along with slice two and slice three, dammit. But the point is, I didn’t make a conscious choice to eat it…I just didn’t make a conscious choice not to. Eighteen big fat points on three slices of pizza. I am weak!
I lectured myself all the way home in the car. I was within my points budget for the day so it’s not that that I’m cross about. More that I had no intention of eating pizza at all…if you’d asked me at 3pm as I walked through reception, ignoring the pile of Ferrero Roche with ease whether I’d make a dodgy choice later on I’d have delivered a resounding no, I am strong! The offer of a muffin as I crossed our trading floor earlier had been met with a curled up nose and a polite no thanks. I’m hardcore! Apparently though, if you show me pizza and hand me a plate, I turn into a complete fanny. FFS!
No harm done…well aside from the fact that by the time I got home I was starving, with no daily points left. So I just had to have an early night and suck it up. Muppet.
You didn’t fail the test. You passed it with flying colors. We live in a world of all sorts of temptations and will power can’t be the only weapon. You made it work in your points. Brilliantly done!
Thank you! 🙂
You made me cry when you wrote about your wonderful son and how much he has supported you, indeed, LOVED you through thick and thin. Just remember that falling and forgiveness are both f-words that all of us are familiar with. Sending you love and grateful that you have written about this with such love. Boy, I am right there with you! 🙂
Hi Djan, thank you so much 🙂
So now you know that the next time someone orders pizza, you need to put on your track shoes and run! Learn the lesson, forgive yourself, move on seems the only way to handle something like this.
Indeed!
Dee I have never met a pizza test I’ve passed to be honest – well that’s not true – but it’s probably harder than chocolate anything. But you’re right – planning the indulgence is far more worthwhile than grumblingly counting points for stuff you’ve just randomly shoved in your mouth. Been there, done that more than once!
It’s beyond annoying isn’t it…damn these impulses!
“muppet” ?? ho-lord, too cute. you gave me a good laugh again today.
i have been trying to learn bread, actual yeast dough – contemporaneous to a 7-month assault on my bulk, weirdly… go figger. but, strangely, it hasn’t been a disaster. the occasional foray into bread baking hasn’t set me up for unnecessary extra stress & will-power fatigue. I have conjured up a pizza for our evening meal, even tried my hand at hom bao (manapua here on Hawai’i). there have been left-overs. ‘planned into’ subsequent dinners, to accompany the staple Big Ass Salad.
But store-bought pizza is a stressor! it is crack cocaine. i’m not safe around it. hell, when you invoked the towers of pizza boxes & the aroma, I COULD SMELL IT.
You did good. I get it, that you dexterously wielded your tools, exercised your muscle, refused to be completely disarmed. doubtless you slapped away seductive suggestions from your subconscious, & stomped off to bed. Proud of you.
you tugged at a tender paw, here. i guess it’s a useful exercise, keep me from getting smug! Love, Fleury
Oh no! Sorry ’bout your paw! And yes, cross words were exchanged with the asshole in my mind…lets just say he’s not at the top of my Christmas card list!
Fleury had to chime in – I love to bake – including breads – off to look up hom bao
Cherie, how cool! You know I spent my whole previous cooking life running a bit scared of yeasties?! It’s been fun, because it hasn’t been so intimidating (YouTube videos & tutorials) – hugs