Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Works for Me: Trash Can Diet ...

Last week was my first time participating in "Works for Me Wednesday" so I thought I'd give it a whirl again. The first thing that came to me this week was the Trash Can Diet that I invented. I'm pretty sure that Oprah will hear about it one day and beg me to join her on stage to do an exclusive interview. It really is a great idea. ('Great' is a relative term, I know.)

So, what is this new 'fad' diet? Well, it requires you to have a little self control as well as guilt ridden sugar craving moments or carb or fried or whatever your poison is. Let me walk you through how I started this...

I received a package of chocolates for Christmas from one of my clients. It was a box that stayed nicely wrapped in oh-so-festive holiday paper. Who me, open this and eat it? Never. Instead, I put this pretty gift on top of my fridge hoping that I'd forget it was there. Unfortunately, I didn't slide it back far enough. I would see it every single time I went in the kitchen. I think it spoke to me on occasions saying, "Open me, please. I'm lonely and I need to be eaten. Don't let me go bad." I heard a cry every now and then. Really, I did.

A month later my self control went out the window. I was sitting on the couch doing my homework (probably blogging or something) and my sugar cravings got the best of me. I HAD to have something sweet. A piece of gum wasn't going to cut it either. CHOCOLATE ... it's on the fridge!

I thought I would invent the "Don't open the box" Diet, but that failed.

I jumped up as if the house were on fire and unwrapped the chocolate goodness like a 6 year old on Christmas morning. Immediately, I shoved a piece in my drooling mouth and then sat on the couch to enjoy my 'bon-bon' moment. Ahhh, the life....baby is napping, chores are done, house to myself and I'm all comfy on the couch with a box of chocolates.

So, 6 or 7 pieces later I thought to myself, "STOP now or you may never go back! You know you'll eat the whole thing." I knew what I had to do. I got up, opened the trash can and dumped the box.

You think it's over huh? Nope. There is another very important step in the Trash Can Diet. Failure to take this step will lead to personal doom, so you must read carefully...

When throwing your temptation into the can you MUST make sure that you open the package and dump the goodies out. This keeps you from trash can diving later on. If you're wondering, I was tempted, but I refuse to resort to that level.

We don't buy junk food so that I don't get tempted. I figure if it's not in the house then I won't give in, right? Unfortunately, I have a husband who buys ice cream on a regular basis even after I beg and plead for him not to. A few weeks ago he thought he'd be a doll and buy me my favorite cold stuff, Cookies 'n Cream. Well, I had a little bowl and decided to follow my Trash Can Diet again. It worked! :-) Wasteful, yes, but it saved me from having to work off all those calories. I still have 16 lbs to go to get to my pre-baby figure.

Now, I think that moderation is key in all things, but I know myself. I want to reach my goal first and then I'll introduce all the little goodies in moderation.

Of course, this wouldn't be a Pennies In My Pocket post unless I gave you some discounts. Never fear, I've found some trash cans on sale in case you'd like to join me on my trendsetting diet. Not a requirement, but I do believe the ones with lids work better. They conceal things nicely.

Feel free to pass this on to Oprah. I'll bring you to Chicago with me when she calls, K?

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sure if Oprah doesn't interview then Montel Williams will. To think that I can say, "I read about this from Melody herself" one day when you're all famous! lol

I've done the same thing. My weakness is anything fried. Fried cheese is the best. I got some mozzarella sticks from the store, cooked them up, ate 4 and then tossed them in the garbage. At least my house smelled good for a while. haha

Anonymous said...

And I thought I was the only one! ha Before I got pregnant to keep my shapely figure, if I craved something sweet, i would open it chew it, enjoy all those yummy tastes swirling in my mouth, then go spit it out. and honestly... it stopped the craving. All I really wanted was the taste. Sorry to say I don't have that type of self-control after pregnancy, so instead when I need a sweet fix, I buy those little fun-size (they're not really fun)chocolate bars and that helps to curb the sweet tooth. Or even grab 5 or 6 M&M's and walk away don't take the whole bag and sit down or you'll never get back up!
Now can I be on Oprah with you, haha:)

Kat said...

I have done the very same thing. Except I actually did pull something out of the trash and eat it because it was still safely in it's box. Gross. Don't tell anyone, okay?
Thanks for commenting at my site. It is nice to "meet" you!

OHmommy said...

trash can diving?

Never have done that before! :) Never. :) Heehee!

Pennies In My Pocket said...

ROTFL at the comments -- I am dying laughing and laughter is SO much better than doing sit-ups, ladies! :)

lcooper - How dare you doubt that Oprah would personally call me HERSELF. Tisk tisk! lol

Krista - I love the 'spit it out' idea only I just KNOW I wouldn't have enough self control. As for the bite size servings ... I'd just eat 5 of them! hahaha

Kathryn - Your secret is safe with me, but not sure about everyone else reading. You know gossip can be! lol So funny!

Ohmommy - Never? really? Ever? I bet you're tempted now... hehehe

~melody~

onthegomom said...

I have never tried this...it would be very hard for me, as I hate wasting food. Ok, I hate wasting GOOD food...LOL. I will remember this trick and try it the next time I am tempted to eat Reese Peanut Butter Cups... OH YUM!!!

Oprah here you come....

Suburban Correspondent said...

This is pathetic, really; but I totally understand.

Pennies In My Pocket said...

onthegomom - Oh I know, I'm with you on hating to waste food, but junk food isn't really 'food' so I have no guilt. Well, at least not as much guilt as buying it in the first place ... oh and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!! Woman, don't make me drool!!! Those are my faves! Mmmmm

suburbancoreespondent - Totally pathetic, I know. Glad you understand so we can be pathetic together! ;) lol

~melody~

Kellan said...

I love that touchless stainless steel trash can!! I have no willpower when it comes to chocolate - you did a lot better than me!! This was a fun post - great tip. I'd love to see you on Oprah with this story. See you later. Kellan

tommie said...

I go so far as to save dump the coffee grounds on the stuff!! Or if no coffee was made, squirt a bit of dishsoap!

I think of the Sex and the City episode when Miranda dug the chocolate cake out of the trash EVERY time I do this!

Happy Wednesday

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I'm still in disbelief on what Kathryn posted. I so have to give her crap on that. I'm a germaphobe, so once it's gone - IT IS GONE. :)

Anonymous said...

AHhhhhhhhhhh!!! Just promise me you wont trash dove bars... Seriously, call me first, K?

Janice {Run Far} said...

I am laughing so hard right now, really, you are to funny. Ok so i have not trash can dived but my two year old does. Ya she is a nut. i have thought about it, don't get me wrong, but I always make sure I put it under something gross, so that I wont trash can dive.
You are such a crack up

onthegomom said...

OMG Tommie - I TOTALLY forgot about the SATC episode where Miranda ate the entire cake, 1/2 out of the garbage!! How could I forget that?!?! I am ashamed. To think, I call myself a fan...

Unknown said...

LOL My husband brings SO MUCH JUNK into this house. I swear he WANTS me to be fat! Seriously. I think he feels more secure with a fat wife. lol.

My vices are pretty much everything awful for me. We're vegan and eat healthier than most people, but I have hypothyroidism so I can't eat anything. *wah* Currently my major craving is soy delicious purely decadent..whatever the cookies and cream is called. Seriously. It's SO good. I've tried so many different non-dairy ice creams and they're all awful except for this kind(all of them from that line). Ok, now I've gone off into some craving induced stupor...sigh

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

Damn those talking chocolates!

Pennies In My Pocket said...

Ladies, it's not nice to make the blogger pee her pants ... well if it's from laughing then I guess it's a little OK ... you all carck me up! Stop it, the baby is sleeping! LOL

~melody~

Maria said...

Hi Melody! Thanks for stopping by. Your idea about the trash can diet is great! I always think I'll diet once the food is gone. Thanks for this simple, yet ingenious idea! I love your blog and will be coming back for more "deals".

Dawn said...

I found your post through a comment you left on my blog, and I just had to take a moment to thank you for a good laugh!

As a christmas gift from a friend, we got a GIGANTIC bag of homemade caramel popcorn drizzled with dark chocolate and peanuts. How many times did I think of throwing that bag away? I wanted to, but I kept hearing my mother's voice repeat:
"You can't waste that food when children in Africa are starving!"

I admire your will-power and look forward to watching you on Oprah (although I do prefer Dr. Phil).

Anonymous said...

I still have 20 pounds of "baby weight" to shed. The baby just turned 12. :o)

Rachel said...

What a great diet!! If you can get yourself to throw it away. I would probably have to dump leftovers on to pof the poured out chocolates. That is embarrassing. I always think about the "wasteful" comment.. like oh paid for this.. I am oging to enjoy it.. but why pay for it twice? Great diet! Calling Oprah.

Wendi said...

My sides are aching from all the intense laughter. My 3-year old just came in and asked me, "What's sooo funny Mommy?"
I love your trash can diet idea! I am so on it! Is there a support group included? I will let you know of my progress! ( oh how I hope I don't go dumpster diving!)
Thanks for a good laugh this morning! ~Wendi

Amy said...

MMMMMMM....Chocolate!

I can't wait to tell everyone that I have a famous friend on Oprah. I am really close to Chicago so it would be really convenient for me to accompany you ;)

Anonymous said...

I'm a bit of germ-o-phobe, so I would never do the trash can diving.

Right now, while I'm reading your post, I'm stuffing my face with chocolate chips cookies. While they are quite delicious you have me feeling very guilty!

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

Hi! Thanks for stopping by!

What a funny post! I once invented an "ice cream diet" and sure enough, it was on the cover of Prevention magazine the next day! How do they do it? LOL.