Promises, Promises ~ Jacquolyn McMurray

Here’s the deal. I’ve been teaching in the public school system for over twenty years and although I’m retired and only work part-time now, when summer break comes my body expects ice cream.

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I’m not talking about a little niggling in my brain that ice cream would taste good. No. I’m talking about a daily hammering that I deserve that rich creamy dessert because I work hard, and I’m convinced after years of spending time with my siblings that I’m hard-wired to crave the delectable treat.

The niggling has been in my brain for most of my life, but the hammering started around the end of the 2016-17 school year. That summer, I allowed myself one bowl of vanilla ice cream a day with chocolate syrup and almonds for protein.

I promised myself I’d eat more protein to balance the sugar, because when you have a sweet tooth you believe anything that makes you feel okay about eating so many sweets. If you have protein, the sugar doesn’t count. Right?

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At the end of the 2017-18 school year, I craved root beer floats. Determined to control my sweet tooth a bit better than the previous summer, I used a highball glass rather than a water glass to hold my treat.  The trouble was, I convinced myself I could have a second float in the late afternoon because I’d walked a few steps or completed a load of laundry or written some miniscule number of words.

I promised myself I’d exercise more--take walks, do more activities, burn those calories, invest in a standing desk, because then I could have as many root beer floats as my little heart desired.

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At the end of last school year, I wanted it all—root beer floats, chocolate sundaes, and mixed berry milk shakes. So, I spent June and July enjoying as much ice cream as I wanted with the promise to myself that I would quit when school started back up.

Well, school started July 30 and the bucket of ice cream is almost gone. I’ve joined a gym and promised myself I’ll get those aerobic walks in this month. 

And when I can comfortably button my pants again, I’ll reward myself with a hot fudge sundae.

Photo by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

What foods do you crave?