Sunday Funday

     Today was Sunday Funday for the Dunham household. The kind that so far hasn't involved any alcoholic beverages for me! But it was a productive and fun day for us. We took the pups on a tour of the area! We hit up Petco, Lowe's, my mom and dad's house and Wal-Mart. We got the pups some treats at Petco, figured out at Mom and Dad's where we are staying in Gulf Shores in September (can't wait!), and got groceries at Wal-Mart. All pretty productive for a gloomy Sunday.
     My original plans for last night fell through, which was a bummer. So instead,  Jeremy and I went with my brother, Ben, to have some dinner and drinks in St. Louis. Even though it was below the temperature Jeremy likes to venture out in, we did and had a good time. Now, even though I love to go out and have cocktails, dinner and visit with friends and family it also used to ignite some stress and disordered thoughts. I used to focus on all the calories I would be drinking and limit my food during the day. If dinner was in the plan for the  evening I would often eat something small or "safe", never trying something new or "too filling".  Now, as you can imagine, this would often lead to me either getting QUITE intoxicated RATHER fast or at the end of the evening, when we arrived home,  entering TOTAL munchie mode because I was STARVING!! Then after doing one of these things, the disordered thoughts would begin. Well, obviously, it took a long time for me to realize this really wasn't working AT ALL. I realized my eating patterns on those days (usually weekends) were setting me up to fail and it had to change. So, now when I know we are going out, I need to realize it is not different than any other day. That I need to still feed my body and honor my hunger. If I feed myself properly during the day, my night won't be ending early nor will I feel the need to eat everything in the pantry after drinking! Also, the disordered thoughts may even simmer down.
     So, yesterday, I followed my new "normal, healthy" eating regimen. I had a good breakfast (my ritual) and then a good afternoon snack and tasty dinner. I enjoyed myself  and the company and had a few drinks. All without getting either silly to quick or ravenous! Now, did I feel a bit tipsy, perhaps. Did I have a snack when I came home? Yup. But the snack was one I wanted and was the perfect mix of sweet and salty (chocolate covered peanut butter pretzel nuggets...mmm) and I enjoyed! So, I again proved to myself that being better to myself leads me to feeling better all around. Today, I have felt good and there aren't any of those disordered thoughts that used to plague me on Sundays! Steps again in the right direction.
     Now, it is Sunday evening and Jeremy and I are getting ready to cook dinner and watch the football game. He is cooking himself a meal of homemade fried cheeseballs and fried chicken fingers, and is very excited! I will be cooking something different (and healthier) but I think I may just have to taste test those goodies! Happy Sunday all.