I feel like I have found my stride. It has been five consecutive days of 100% compliance to my meal and training plan--without feeling like I was trying, or that it was a chore, or that it was an option. I sat in a staff meeting on Friday and did not eat the gratis chocolate--even though I was hungry. Instead, I ate my grilled chicken after the meeting. It finally feels natural to prepare and eat what is in my cooler versus what looks best on the teacher's grazing table. About that table, why is it the norm?

Why do sweets and fatty snacks always have to be the reward or the way to show appreciation? During the course of this week, alone, there were: cookies, cupcakes, pretzels covered with something, and popcorn. I guess old habits die hard. Food is used as a way to make us feel good when something is wrong. Maybe there is something to that.

Are the amount and frequency of  fattening foods that are available are a way to veil a dysfunctional organization or getting people ready for bad news? Contracts are coming up. Year after year, it is probably one of the most stressful times for teachers. The more serotonin that is released, the more euphoric you feel. That is why sweets are at every staff meeting and conference call. A vegetable tray never yields the reaction that a box of bagels and cupcakes yields. And, who wants to eat a baby carrot when they do not get that coveted envelop in their box?