Pasta, wine and chocolate. M-m-m-m-m-m.

I took yesterday off. Almost completely off. I didn’t do any form of exercise more strenuous than typing on my keyboard, except maybe lifting the laundry basket.

I decided I needed a bit of a mental break. I read for a while, watched some television, and puttered around the house a bit. I checked and responded to some email and updated some comments and postings on the Web site. All-in-all, it was a pretty relaxing day.

I thought it was just the kind of break I needed, until around 7pm when the cravings hit.

For the first time since I started on this journey, I wanted chocolate. Then I would have done just about anything for some pasta. With cream sauce. Make that seafood fettuccini. With wine. And something chocolate for dessert.

Fortunately, I had cleaned pretty much all of the bad food out of the house weeks ago, except for that lovely box of Belgian chocolates my relatives sent. I’m happy to report that box remains safely tucked away in the freezer, unopened. That will be a special treat saved for sometime down the road.

I picked up my cell phone and sent a text message to my best friend in Oregon and, thankfully, she responded right away. We spent the next hour texting back and forth, which really helped pass the time until the cravings passed. The way I figured it, texting was better than actually calling, as it kept my hands busy helping keep my mind off the food thoughts. It worked beautifully!

So, today I’m back on schedule. I’m still staying on my eating plan, and I hit the gym for another torture session with Brutal Bill.

My knee is doing better, but still a little sore, so Bill kept the focus on the upper body and abs. There were times during the workout that I swore my arms were going to fall off. In fact, I asked Bill what would happen if my arms did fall off during an especially grueling set, and he replied simply, “We’ll pick them up and keep going.” I swear Jillian from The Biggest Loser and Brutal Bill are from the same mold, or probably had the same sadistic trainer training them.

Tomorrow is weigh-in day, so I’m hopeful my workouts and willpower will pay off.

Have a good one.