“So Perfect”?

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This post is in response to a recent email I received from a thoughtful young lady – we’ll call her Alison – who wrote the following:

“Hi Gena! I recently stumbled on your blog, and I love it! Thanks for presenting the raw diet in such an accessible way. I really liked reading your post about quitting smoking, and I was wondering, do you still crave cigarettes? What do you do when you crave them? Sometimes it seems as though your diet is so perfect  from the blog, so it was kind of nice to hear that you have struggled with an addiction to something!”

Thanks, Alison, for such a great question. I’m glad that my post on quitting smoking struck a chord with you. And this is a good time for me to invite all of my readers who haven’t read my quitiversary post to please check it out: I wrote it not only to share my two cents about quitting, but to remind all of my readers that no one is perfect. Even those of us who make healthy choices for the most part have our battles.

First of all, I should say that my diet isn’t “so perfect.” It’s perfect for me, and some others; there is no such thing as “perfection” when it comes to what we eat–only what is and isn’t optimal for each of us. It’s easy to read food blogs, nutrition books, or articles and become prone to comparing yourself to others—worrying about whether you should do something another blogger does, or stop doing something another blogger doesn’t. But ladies. Stop it. I beg you. It’s wonderful to get inspired by food blogs: I love reading my fellow bloggers’ work because it so often inspires me to taste something I’ve never tried, or to try a new workout, or because it teaches me about food philosophies that are different from my own (and when you have a relatively offbeat lifestyle, which I do, it’s important to stay informed about what others are doing—especially so that you can remain in-the-know for new clients).

But inspiration or information is all that fellow food bloggers really should offer. None of us (myself included) are here to tell you what to do or to make you feel lousy about what you don’t do. As I hope my quitiversary post makes clear, we’re all human.

To answer your question, Alison: yes, I do get cravings. In fact, I crave cigarettes every single day. Sometimes all day. I have been smoke free for one year and three months, which isn’t very long, and it’s still very hard for me. In fact, I still have my “emergency pack” sitting in my desk drawer at home. (I haven’t dipped into it, and I know I won’t, yet I have a hard time throwing the damn thing out.) It’s much easier today than it was a year ago, but it’s not a piece of cake; there’s a part of me that could still easily light up, if the right triggers congealed in my life, and I have to battle that part of myself actively.

Oftentimes, a client of mine who has an addiction to a particular food (say, a certain sweet), will ask me what to do. I give lots of feedback, starting with healthy replacements, or strategies for steering clear: sipping herbal tea, breathing deeply, music, meditation, taking a walk, etc. The strategies differ based on the client. But if the food in question is undoubtedly not healthy for my client (in other words, if it’s not something I think he or she can learn to enjoy in moderation) I’ll often tell him or her the truth, which is that the best means of battling a craving is to call upon your willpower. There are things I can do to lesson my cravings for cigarettes, just as there are tricks of the trade for lessening a food addiction. But in the end, the best thing you can do is to be tough. Really tough. That’s how I manage to stay away from smoking, even when I crave it. And the reward—pride and good health—is priceless.

The battle continues, Alison! I won’t pretend it isn’t something I struggle with. But it helps to share my struggles with you all. And on that note—and so that you all know how very un-“perfect” I am—I’m sharing five other habits or tendencies that I would, in a perfect world, learn how to modify.

1)    Coffee. GASP! Oh no she didn’t! Readers, are you shocked? Yes, I still drink coffee sometimes. It is not raw, and it is not good for my stomach, and it is not alkaline. But there are days when I drink it anyway, mostly because I love the taste. It happens maybe once a week. If I could make that every two weeks, or maybe once a month, I’d be way proud of myself.

2)    Fitness magazines. Honestly, the advice in these bad boys is so diametrically opposed to most of what I believe about nutrition and health that I read them, more often than not, in a state of annoyance. And yet I read them still. This strikes me as not the best use of my energy: the one or two decent ab or glute routines I might happen upon do not justify the energy I waste being critical. At the least, I should modify my approach as a reader!

3)    Tardiness. I am almost always five minutes late for everything. Never more: just five minutes. It’s obnoxious and self-involved, and I need to stop.

4)    I take much too long to return voicemails. Seriously. Like, weeks. I hate the phone (I’m an email person, not surprisingly), and unless it’s a client, I tend to let voicemails slide. Sorry, friends! Sorry, Mom!

5)    An excessive adoration of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is one of my very favorite pleasures, and since I’m not much of a dessert person, it’s my dessert of choice. And, dear readers, I sometimes overindulge. It’s good to indulge in things we love, and good to know when enough is enough. I remind myself of this when an enjoyable treat becomes mindless choco-munching.

These are just some of the habits—and let’s call them adjustable habits, rather than bad habits—that I am conscious of. I hope they remind you all that I am far from “perfect,” whatever that means!

Ladies, remember: progress, not perfection. And remember to judge your progress by standards of your own devising—not anyone else’s, and least of all mine.

Thanks, Alison!

xo

Edited to add: I’m having a mid-afternoon moment of excitement! My friend Danielle just let me know that banana soft serve got a shout in Glamour online! Hooray for raw love around the blogosphere!

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    82 Comments
  1. Congratulations for the mention on Glamour online!

    I too still drink coffee, but I do drink it black. I love the moment it gives me – the time and space. I consider those as essential to health also. A year ago I was drinking a grande soy latte a day (*shudder*), 8 months ago I was still drinking a tall (dairy) latte… So a tall iced americano is at least an improvement 🙂

  2. Hey Gena,

    I just wanted to tell you that I stumbled upon your blog today and I can’t even begin to tell you how inspiring it has been reading your stories. I am very new to the raw food diet and it has been so stressful and so draining for me these past few days. I kept thinking that I was doing everything wrong or eating too much and just reading what you had to say about food combining (that I shouldn’t worry too much about it at the beggining) was such a relief to me. I’m pretty much completely alone in doing this so it feels like I have a little bit of support in the form of your blog so you deserve a big thank you!

    -Rita F.

    P.S. To everyone else reading this comment: I’m always looking for even more support so feel free to stop by my blog and say hello.

  3. I really love this post and it couldn’t have come at a better time. I have many addictions, and not all of them are terrible. For example – belgian waffles are one of my favorite foods. I don’t want to cut them out completely, but I want to be able to enjoy every once in a while without feeling guilty or triggering a binge when I do indulge in one. It’s really good to hear about your struggles too. Best of luck!!

  4. I’ve never smoked. It’s the one bad habit I never picked up. But I know what it’s like to crave a substance and after 23 years of being free of that substance it’s rare that I crave it. Still, there are days when I’m running on less sleep than I need that I wish I could just have a little. The trouble is – I can’t have a little. Progress, not perfection!

  5. Thank you so much for the wonderful post! I have been beating myself up today for not eating as well (healthy, fresh, nourishing) as I could have these past few days. Lunch meetings, family gatherings, LIFE, somehow always seems to get in the way. Or does it? I undoubtedly have made healthier choices over the past few days than I would have a few months ago. In the midst of the chaos and lack of control, I still sought to find a sense of balance. And maybe, if I’m looking for “progress rather than perfection” that is enough for now. Maybe I should encourage rather than kick myself and let this momentum carry me forward into a lifestyle of increased healthy choices and behaviors. I made a list this weekend of the changes I’d like to make over time- goals that I know will help me feel better and that I am working towards. This post was just the encouragment and motivation I needed today to stay on the right track. Thank you so much for the words of wisdom!

    • You are so welcome, Brenna! It’s very important to see progress as something that happens over time, rather than overnight.

  6. Thanks so much for this post Gena. I have a crazy addiction to peanut butter – it’s the only thing I ever really want to eat wayyy to much of. It’s good to know others struggle with the same type of thing. I want it to be a food I enjoy, not one I’m mad at sometimes for being too tempting!

    • Beth —

      You are SO not alone. Nut butter fixation is something that many of my clients struggle with.

      G.

  7. Fabulous post! The only blog post I have read in days, and such a winner. Totally agree that inspired by not in competetion with fellow bloggies is the way to be.I really don’t thinl there is such a thing as too much DC-dark chocolate. Ps during my trip my own DC–diet coke, has been basically nothing! I thought I would die without the caffiene and the dc comfort, but I am just fine. Hopefully I can keep it up when I get home and there is so much more temptation.

  8. Thanks for this post! And CONGRATS on having your recipe featured in Glamour online! Yippee!

    I think our imperfections make us human, and much more appealing, actually! I also quit smoking, about 10 years ago, and I no longer have ANY cravings. Chocolate is another matter. . . but I’d still advise throwing away those cigs–they’re stale by now, anyway! 😉

  9. What??? You’re not perfect? You mean I have to knock you off that pedestal I put you on?

    I kid.

    But you know what? I think you’re pretty darn perfect just the way you are.

    Your “Stop it. I beg you.” comment about comparing ourselves to others is spot on. I abhor when others do it to me, and yet, I still find myself doing it on occasion. Do you think it’s a girl thing, or what?

    Pssst, I share a couple of your vices, by the way. Shhhh. 😀

  10. I am so pumped to see that everyone I’m a follower of on here (Gina-fitnessista, LovIn,Jenna(eatliverun) and YOU) are all so honest and all about doing what’s right for you, and that striving for perfection isn’t what health is about!

    and total congrats to the banana softserve spotlight 🙂 I do not have a food processor so it didn’t go quite as well… hopefully one day in the future.

  11. Gena, I attempted to make the wonderful banana soft serve, it was lovely, however the banana had gone slightly brown in the freezer, what do you do to combat this? Also there is a slightly bitter taste to it, is that just due to dodgy bananas? Sorry about this. Also thank you for giving me a wonderful substitute for ice cream, it seriously rocks.
    Also thank you for this post, it’s a lovely eye opener.

  12. oh i LOVE your post! it’s great to see how other people are battling with certain addictions or bad habits and even more of a motivation to see how you are strong enough to have that pack sit in your desk and not use it! you’re awesome girl 🙂

  13. Congrats on the mainstream mag taking notice! That’s awesome. Women will be thanking you collectively 🙂

    How wonderful of you to be so honest with your “vices”. I love, love , love Gil’s mantra and hearing it never fails to make me feel ok with choices I have made. It’s great to look back and see how far we’ve come, but it’s also nice to look forward and see that progress can always be made.

    Yay for you lovely Gena :)!!

  14. so cool that the banana soft serve got a shout out!! i love that you shared some of your vices. i, too, am a subscriber to various fitness mags and even though i rarely use the tips or follow the advice, i still enjoy it (especially while on the elliptical). even worse – trashy gossip mags. i cant help pick them up at the gym. if i ever start buying them on my own, im going to have to start attending rehab. its a sickness! jk.

    i heart you and your slightly imperfect self “) well done reminding the world that youre human after all

  15. Thanks for this post. Sometimes I feel weird posting my eats, but really it’s what works best for us. RESPECT! 😀

    Ha how could we ever give up fitness magazines?! I don’t buy magazines or have any subscriptions, but if I’m at the bookstore, you’ll have to pull me out of the cooking and magazine section!

  16. Great post again, Gena. I hate explaining to people that while I don’t eat hoagies with my co-workers at lunch time, I still like my red wine and….gasp…red meat on occasion!

  17. Hi Gena – I totally hear your view on popular magazine, Glamour, etc. – nearly every article seems flaky and makes me roll my eyes and start ranting, but I still read through them if they’re laying around.

    A comment on your quitting post – the things you list as vices (staying up late?!) Is this just a personal vice or do you consider it one in general? Speaking as a life long night owl who could be productive until 5 a.m. but not before noon…

    Finally – why in the comments section does it cut off the entire left hand side? Like now, I can’t see the first two letters of what I’m typing on the left. Maybe it’s just my comp., but wanted to let you know.

    Cheers,
    K

  18. First off, congrats for the banana soft serve appearing in Glamour online!!! That is so cool! I have frozen bananas in my freezer just waiting to make their appearance.

    Your posts never fail to leave me feeling like I’ve learned something. You do seem pretty darn close to perfect so it’s nice to hear that, just like so many of us out there, you struggle at times. I also like how you reiterate that how you eat is perfect for you. It’s so easy reading all these blogs to compare myself to others and wonder if the way I’m eating is appropriate for me. I’m really glad you said that we’re all different…thank you Gena for another wonderful message! 🙂

  19. I wanted to affirm that your cravings will pretty much go away (8 years quit!). Also I can TOTALLY relate to the hating the phone thing…I feel like I’m almost afraid of it. I can let vms sit there forever, never to be answered.

  20. another excellent post my friend and HOORAY for your glamour shout out!
    thank you for the very important reminder that blogs are meant to inspire, not influence.
    i stopped drinking coffee about a month and a half ago (because i needed it to function everyday) but definitely still plan on occasionally drinking it because it tastes so good!
    have a wonderful day <3

  21. Gena – I’m a newish reader here — may have commented before. This is a great post — insightful and honest. It’s helpful to hear that you find it a struggle everyday to resist cigarettes, but you are able to do it. And after reading your list of vices, I think you are a kindred soul to me — now I must keep reading your blog.
    Your perspective is helping me figure out how to make the changes in my diet that I want to make happen.
    **I’m putting my bananas in the freezer now. 🙂

  22. Love this post, Gena. I have decided to take some steps backward in eating raw because I think I was focused on doing it perfectly and it ends up backfiring at the end of the day! This post makes me feel slightly better 😉
    CONGRATS on the Glamour article…that is SO cool!!

  23. i love this post Jenna!!
    i drink too much coffee, and even though i try to change it for green tea i still over indulge in it…
    by the way,im trying to lose the last 10 pounds, any tips???

  24. Rock on Gena love you. Wine, and shopping are my major personal faults, you may add gossiping in there as well. Gosh it’s nice to know no is perfect

  25. Gena gorgeous, a wonderfully honest blog post. Thanks for sharing. We all have our less than perfect habits/crutches/etc and it is a great reminder to all of us that perfection is not real. Life is 🙂

    Case x

  26. This post is amazing Gena! I have been known to overindulge in my newfound chocolate obsession…no worries =)

    SO EXCITING about glamour!!! Congrats hun!

  27. I am loving your blog!
    This month is my 2-year “quitiversary” after smoking almost a pack a day since I was 14 (I’ll be 30 very soon.)
    I am unique in that I never crave cigarettes. I can really no longer be around people who are smoking.
    However, I have a searing caffeine addiction that I have tried numerous times to control. It is my battle. Nobody is perfect, and everyone has that one (or, in my case, a few) things that present a challenge. Life without challenges would not be as fulfilling. Congrats to all the “quitters” out there, and for those of you struggling…wanting to quit and taking that first step are tremendous. Hooray for you!

  28. I totally agree about the fitness magazines! There’s so many times where I read something in a health or fitness mag and just get so mad about something they write when I know it’s not true or is totally skewed. I love reading them still though. I think its better than the gossip magazines I used to read!

  29. Hey Gena! I recently started reading your blog, and just wanted to let you know how much I loved this post. I appreciate the message of “progress, not perfection.” I think many of us need a reminder of that every once in a while!

    Oh, and as a fellow “quitter,” wanted to say way to go, and it will get easier! I’m shocked to discover these days that I have absolutely lost all cravings to smoke, but girl, it took a while 🙂

  30. Gena, this was such a wonderful entry. Good for you for revealing that you are human, just like the rest of us. You’re totally right, the blogs are so great, but it does allow a certain level of control. We are able to only show what we want to show and exclud the things that we think people would not want to see. You know what though, somethings are meant to be kept to ourselves and there is no need to ever feel a shred of guilt over any of the things you mentioned. You are beautiful, strong and have inspried SOOOOOO many young women! You’ve given so much insight into a healthy lifestyle that so many of us value and look up to.

    Even if you see these minor things as faults, I am sure that everyone else veiws them as qualties of a wonderful young woman.

    Take care Gena!

  31. Thanks for posting this! It is SO easy to look at someone else and assume that their life or they are perfect. I love it when people are real enough to admit that they aren’t perfect, but working towards improving in different areas.

  32. Willpower is very powerful. So is the formation of habits, and the elimination of the offending item (for me, generally only buying foods I want myself to eat). Of course, it’s always there to buy. It’s amazing how similar addiction is regardless of the object of addiction. Cigarettes repel me and make me sick, and I don’t care much for alcohol. Luckily, I’ve never much liked coffee or pop either! But I have plenty of vices and have had terrible battles with food addiction, both over-eating and restricting, more of the former. It’s funny- in college I often had a bottle of vodka or rum stashed in my closet for parties. I would frequently forget whether I had any alcohol in my room, and if I did it didn’t really matter to me- I had no desire to get it out. Yet if I had any kind of food in my room- chocolate, wheat thins, anything- it would be on my mind constantly, interrupting my thoughts, tempting me. I always knew what I had, how much, and where, and I was craving it. My friends always found this contrast amusing. Raw foods have helped my cravings immensely!

  33. Thank you so much for this post Gena, and for stopping by my blog earlier! I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – I really appreciate your approach to food and health in general. I’m so glad that you’re sharing your thoughts and beautiful writing with us!

    I’m also totally guilty of phone aversion and coffee addiction. 🙂

  34. Love this post Gena! Your honesty is just a healthy reminder that we are all human and make mistakes. There is no need to beat ourselves down for our weekly coffee cups or daily squares of dark chocolate. Two thumbs way up 😀

  35. Thank you .
    Sincerely! A reminder that it’s all a journey and it’s not a one size fit’s all plan is such a comfort.

    I ate a hamburger patty last night NO BUN, lots of veggies..and not one twinge of guilt…Surprise YES (I thought I was going vegan) but guilt NO. Some days eating the same food as hubby and teenager is, just plain ole connecting. I was in control though, making sure I combined it well. And I realized that where a single whole wheat tortilla or a serving of rice for dinner would mean a higher number on the scale, one juicy patty did nothing.

    so yeah for that realization…but getting me off the scale in the morning is another animal all together.

    I actually get grumpy if the number is UP two days in a row, like a mini panic.

    one day at a time!

    Thanks again for the honest and open post.

  36. I just wanted to let you know how much I have come to appreciate your blog. I was reading more and more about raw foods, am already a vegan, and have been trying to improve my health through nutrition. Your site kinda pushed me and encouraged me to really start implementing more raw foods into my diet, and it introduced me to soo many other raw food blogs!

    I have found your posts to be very relevent and useful, especially this one. Keep up your passion and your writing and thanks!

    A fan from Switzerland/CT,

    Lia

  37. Gena, this is a wonderfully honest post. I’m so glad you posted about this topic! I’m a tobacco cessation health educator who has never smoked cigarettes myself, but I overcame a 15-year-long eating disorder which has been my inspiration to help individuals quit tobacco! I truly believe if I could beat that addiction, which I never in a million years thought I’d beat, that people can beat their tobacco addictions. It is a tough one, for sure, and I like your strategies! Smoking is the type of addiction where you really have to quit, completely, and find substitutions. Whereas for me, with my eating disorder, I learned to indulge in my greatest pleasures in moderation. Again, something I NEVER thought I’d be able to accomplish. It was really a change of mindset, a rewiring of the brain, which is similar to the change that has to take place when you quit smoking. I write a lot about addictions, eating disorders, and tobacco cessation on my blog, so I am just really loving this post! Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on quitting! What a tremendous thing to be proud of!

  38. i’m so glad you posted this. i have noticed i have been camparing myself to others a lot lately. i love the inspiration and tips i get from my fellow loggers BUT i have to remind myself that i am my own person and in the end i need to what is right for me. it’s a hard habit to break. really though, we are demeaning ourselves when we are trying to be like someone else. i am going to work on this more. thanks again. p.s.- i would love to see you through that emergency pack out! you can do it 🙂

  39. Fantastic post and I love the mantra!

    I have a question for you: because you live in NYC, I’m guessing that you walk/take the subway to work. You’ve also said that you pack your lunch every day (and sometimes dinner, too). Do you have any packing tips for the busy-yet-healthy girl? I take the bus to work and sometimes I just feel so bogged down with my work bag + lunch + gym bag, not to mention the resulting back ache… Do you have any secrets for lightening the load/not feeling like a pack horse?

  40. gena, i could just read your words all day long. i loved this post. it is so easy to strive for perfection, to try to be better all the time, to try to be like someone else. one of the best lessons i ever learned was that perfection is a myth. all i want now is to be the best version of myself – which includes lots of “flaws” – coffee included. 🙂

    ps: i am also habitually late and find myself reading fitness magazines while scoffing as well. why? i have no answer.

  41. Hey Gena! Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 I loved this post, and I completely agree that we all just need to do what works for US. This may take some experimenting, but in the end, every body is different. I, like you, love reading food blogs for inspiration and ideas, but in my mind, I also know what lifestyle and types of foods work for ME and what don’t. There are some delicious raw foods out there that I love eating, but then it is also a lifestyle that would probably never work for me all the time! I do love this post on perfection though. I don’t intend on ever posting every single thing or meal that I eat on my blog, but this reminds me that I should definitely post some of my treats and “not-so-perfect” foods on my blog, just to show readers that not all bloggers are eating a perfect diet! And besides, isn’t
    perfection” relative? Perfection may mean finally being able to strike a balance and achieve moderation. Perfection may mean actually being happy, but with some flaws. Everyone’s idea of perfection will be different 🙂

  42. I love how you keep it real, Gena! Thanks for sharing your “adjustable habits” and for always being so honest and forthcoming about your views, your eats, and more. I love how you encourage seeking what is right for me, not just emulating what is right for you, and the “progress, not perfection” mantra is great 🙂

  43. We’re all imperfect in a ‘beautiful’ way and that’s what make each of us unique and human.

  44. Amen, sister. I think I have similar vices, most notably the telephone aversion. I have scolded myself for years for not calling people more often, but the bottom line is I would take a conversation face to face over the telephone ANY day! Since that’s not possible with most people I’d like to keep in touch with, email becomes my fallback. I dunno what it is, but being on the phone makes me feel like an aspect of the convo is being lost in translation.

    And you know I love “progress, not perfection.” I think I’d actually end up feeling weird about it if I thought I was near perfection! Such a subjective term, anyway.

  45. Great post. Because your diet is so clean and free of nasties, I always kind of envision you as being perfect. I also drink too much coffee (with no desire to give it up) and I’m always late wherever I go.

  46. Great post!!! I use to loooove my cup of coffee, I only drank one cup in the morning, black, but it was heaven! Ever since crohn’s (3 years), I haven’t been able to drink it.. something good that came out of my disease! I do love dark chocolate too, once I start I can’t stop!! Oh, and I subscribe to waaaay to many mags..most not even vegan or raw!

    Congrats on the shoutout!! So awesome, Gena!!!

    P.S. I am not a phone person either..

  47. I needed a “Progress, Not Perfection” kick in the pants today too. And I’m another one who is always 5 minutes late. I’m working on it.

  48. I think this post was needed in blogland! Kudos for writing it. I’ve found myself comparing a little too much lately – and I can’t do that! Thanks for the reminder and kick-in-the-butt.

  49. I’m fortunate that I don’t crave cigarettes anymore, but I know from bitter experience that I can’t “just have one” socially. Within a week I’m up to a packet a day… The last time I quit was at the end of April and this time I’m adamant that I won’t let myself be seduced. It helps that my best friend is also smoke-free now.

    As for coffee, I also have it about once a week, but I’ve vowed to do without for the next 30 days. I don’t think I’ve ever done that, but I know that I can, because I’m not addicted.

    This post was a huge eye-opener for me. You are such an authentic person. Thank you for sharing this, because it does encourage us all.

  50. I appreciate knowing that my “raw inspiration”, Miss Gena herself, overindulges in dark choc once and a while!! Although my diet is more high-raw than ever before, I still have mad chocolate cravings pretty much every day, and I sometimes feel more than a twinge of guilt when I go through more than my alloted 2 squares! Thanks for being a REAL, raw, inspiration! 🙂

  51. Love love love this post. I’ve been doing much better lately with “progress, not perfection” myself, now that I finally understand that there is no such thing as perfection, and even if I achieve it in a given area for a short time, it is impossible long term. Now I try to be happy with every little improvement I do, knowing I am doing something amazing for myself. Thank you for sharing your habits! It is always good to hear that other people are in the same boat as you.

    • We all have something, D! I might not have the same sentiments about food that some of my readers do, but see, I feel that same way about coffee!! Again: we all have things we might wish to change, but forgiveness and appreciation of progress is HUGE.

  52. Gena, thanks so much for sharing this post! This is very positive and reaffirming. I too, still drink coffee from time to time. Even in this hot summer weather. Sometimes I can go several weeks without one and then, out of nowhere, I’ll want some. It just tastes so good. I do believe that one day I will be able to dwindle it down to once or twice a month–tops.
    No, I honestly have no desire to completely cut it out of my diet.
    Lol.

  53. I was at the mall today, and there was a booth selling electronic cigarettes that are supposedly much less unhealthy than regular cigarettes. It was so weird… but funny at the same time.

  54. Hahahaha! I love the positive reframe at the end there 😉 Well, you know this already, but your cravings will definitely subside. I stopped getting cravings after three years. Way to keep it real girl.

  55. “Progress, not perfection” – the best mantra available. And THANK YOU for stressing that people should judge their own progress and endeavors using their own standards, NOT someone else’s. Every body is different – certain things work (or don’t work) for certain people.

  56. LOVE THIS!!!! I have some of the exact same un-perfect traits, and it’s nice to see that I’m not alone! I always feel like I’m the only person who lacks the willpower to resist certain things, so it can be totally embarrassing.

    I just bought a 10-pack of mini dark chocolate bars today in hopes that it would keep me from overindulging. I have already dipped 4 of the 10 into my PB jar and was on #5 as I read this post, haha, *sigh*. some things are just so hard to resist!!

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