About those Doubletree Cookies

Debbie Hatch | Family & F.I.T.
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I really try to focus on an abundance mindset in all areas of my life.  And, I have to tell you, it can be difficult!  It’s essentially that I will get everything I’m supposed to get, regardless of how much other people get.  I struggle more in remembering this for my business and personal life than I do in eating but that’s likely because I’ve worked on a healthy eating mindset for a lot longer.  The rest will come….I know it.
I know it, because I can clearly remember that I didn’t always have this mindset when it came to eating either.
It’s remembering that the wine, or cookies, or beer, or pasta, or whatever it is that you love, will be there tomorrow…and the day after that…and the day after that.
We don’t have to have it today just because it crossed our mind.
Now, even though it’s easier for me now, there are still plenty of times I struggle.  Last week for example.  I stayed at the Doubletree my first night in California.  I LOVE their cookies.  You know the ones.  Those giant, chocolatey and nutty delicious cookies.  They’re warm.  They’re welcoming.  They’re free when you check in.  I want one!!
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The second night, I moved to a different part of the city and checked in at the Hilton.  They always leave Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies in my room. They’re right there on the bed when I walk in.
These cookies do not cross my mind on a normal day.  I never think about them until I walk into the hotel.  Then, I want all the cookies!!!  My desire is triggered by seeing them.  It’s easy for me to justify them because
(a) they are my reward for a tough day of traveling and
(b) they are right there in front of my face, attacking my senses.
Why would I refuse?  I should have a cookie.  My default behavior used to be to eat the cookies.   My reward was a nice little sugar rush and a warm feeling in my tummy, because…I love cookies.
But….
It’s typically late when I check into the hotel, and I’ve spent the entire day sitting on my butt.  The last thing my body needs before going to bed is a cookie.
And…
I travel a lot.  This is where business travelers can pack on the pounds:  there’s the free hotel breakfast buffet; a quick lunch (if not out of the vending machine or fast-food, maybe a catered working lunch – croissant sandwich, small salad – if you’re lucky – and dessert); dinner out (alone or with a client: either way, you’re exhausted from the day and are looking for comfort food) or at the free hotel evening reception, maybe a couple of drinks in the hotel bar, and the cookies.  It adds up.
QUICKLY.
I’m in a hotel hundreds of nights each year.
Just focusing on the cookies, never mind everything else.  If I eat a cookie (314 calories, 17 grams of fat and 39 grams of carbohydrates for the Doubletree or 230, 13, 26 in the Milanos) each night I’m on the road (4 nights a week), that’s 1,256 extra calories per week.  5,024 calories extra per month, and 60,288 calories each year that I travel.
On nothing but a cookie!!!!!!  …a cookie to which most people would say, “what’s the big deal?”
You can easily see the problem!  It’s a big friggin’ deal!!!!!
With an abundance mindset, I remind myself that I can have a cookie any time I want but not every time I want.
There will be another hotel and more cookies tomorrow.  I know that!  It’s still not easy and I’m not yet at a point where I can actually “trust” myself with the cookies so I’ve had to change my default behavior.  Now, when I check in and they start to hand me a cookie or ask if I want one, I have to say, “no thank you”.  Don’t even accept the cookie.
When I get to my room, I have to get rid of the Milano cookies and – I’m just going to be completely open and honest here – throwing them in the trash does NOT work.  I will, in a moment of weakness, dig that package out of the trash and eat them.  I’m not proud to say this but, the fact is, I’ve done it more than once.  So, now, I open the package and flush them down the toilet.  …as soon as I walk into the room.
The trigger is there.
My behavior has changed.
My reward has changed.  Now instead of feeling guilty; I feel empowered.  I make the choice to either eat or get rid of the cookies.  I’m not eating them out of habit.

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  1. […] to eat well and exercise regularly.  I love trying local fare but I do my best to avoid the free cookies, vending machines, hotel bar, and manager’s […]

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