I have a love / hate relationship with Starbucks.

I love their coffee. I’m an Americano freak, I have two a day, no cream, just straight up. Problem is, there’s that lovely pastry case sitting right there, at the check-out counter, filled with cookies, bars, cakes, and my all-time favourite…chocolate brownies.

I love chocolately-cake-like things….they’re sooo soothing, rich and creamy. But I learned a long time ago that they don’t love me. In fact, I might was well just forgo the eating part and just rub them directly on my butt! Cause that’s where they end up eventually anyway. 🙁

About 2 years ago I decided to get off the weight-gain weight-loss rollercoaster for life. In my sport of choice (body building / figure) most competitors do the old yo-yo thing…they get lean for contest, and the rest of the time they’re bigger than usual, usually with 20-40 extra pounds on them.

I just got tired of it. I wanted to feel and look good all year long. So I decided to get off the roller-coaster for good. But I knew all too well that any lifestyle change requires a shift inside.

So I made ‘the shift’: I decided that every time I was confronted with a lovely display of cookies and cakes, and yes, even brownies, I would see it as an opportunity to grow stronger in my conviction and to re-confirm my commitment, my new lifestyle, to myself.

And it worked. Now, when I buy an Americano, I breeze on past the pastry display without fanfare. I know how much hard work it takes to stay light and lean, and I’m not about to ruin it with a 450-calorie whollop of sugar and transfats. In fact, I silently thank that little brownie sitting there, all soft and gooey on that shelf, for helping me to get stronger within myself, and to remind me that I’m in control. It’s not about denial. I’ve moved past that. It’s about reclaiming my power. It’s a lifelong process, but it definately gets easier with time.

Will I ever eat a brownie again? You bet! But it’ll be a planned event, a once in awhile thing, and I’ll be in control of it, and I’ll eat that little brownie with all the respect in the world!

And I’ll wash it down with a black Americano, of course! Yum!

Karen

PS My 10-Week Challenge is filling up fast! ON SALE – $40 off the regular price. Starts  January 9th (we even build in cheat days)! And for those ladies wanting to take it to the top, check out my 12-Week Challenge… Train, eat and live the life! Not sure which one is right for you? Check it out HERE!