I really wanted to go to Vegas for my birthday this year, but we just couldn’t swing it. Instead, I went to a local casino for lunch with my husband and hit up the slot machines.

Before we left, I wanted to take a picture of myself.
Twenty five plus pounds ago I would hide from
cameras. Now I really like them.

This is the first time John and I have went to the casino together. We’ve heard wonderful things about the restaurant located inside the casino – but we didn’t know it was buffet style. Had I of known that, I most likely would have picked a different restaurant. Why? Because buffets are an open invitation to gorge yourself and lose all control. Especially when you’re trying to stay IN control.

I’m glad we went though, it was a good opportunity for me to test my portion sizes and self control around heaping piles of food. I only made one trip to the buffet for regular foods and only took a little portion of the foods I wanted. I also made sure I stopped when I was near being full.

Before last November, I would have made several trips
and ate EVERYTHING on my plate – full or not.

John and I were both looking out for each other at the buffet line. John whispered, “Remember – portion sizes.” I thought it was directed to me at first – then he admitted to me he had to keep telling himself that so he didn’t overeat. LOL

We’re in this together and I’m glad I have
him to support me no matter what. :)

I decided that since it’s my birthday, I would have some dessert, and I did. When I browsed the many choices my head was spinning. I’m such a sugar addict and I KNOW IT. Realizing you have a problem is the first step, right?

I chose some strawberry shortcake and berry berry cobbler… Then the cheesecake was calling my name. It was actually a “low sugar” cheesecake so I grabbed a slice.

I have no idea how much lower in sugar
it was, but it sure tasted GOOD!

Before I even had a bite of the dessert, I told myself I would only eat half or less of each. I know that sounds very wasteful, but I really wanted to come away from this outing feeling IN CONTROL and that I wasn’t being deprived.

John ended up sharing the cheesecake with me and
I only ate some of the strawberries and whipped cream from
the shortcake – but I did eat most of the berry berry cobbler.

I was still very proud of myself for leaving some food on the plate, because old me would have eaten it all and went back for more! The funny thing was I really could feel my stomach hurting after the dessert, and I’m convinced it is the sugar or something that doesn’t agree well with me. I rarely have sugar now, so when I feel like that it’s very noticeable.

After lunch, we decided to try the slot machines. We decided we’d only gamble with $15 each. We hit the quarter machines first, and then we moved to the penny slots.

I wish we were high rollers, but we just don’t have the
excess funds to gamble with. And, the point was to
have fun anyway. Which we did!

Until the crotchety casino lady came by and told us to put our camera away because it was “not allowed”. Whatever crotchety casino lady. It’s not like I’m going to share your super secret casino secrets with anyone. Or I’m here to rob ya blind! LOL

So far, it’s been a great birthday. I got my cardio and stomach workout in this morning and I’m going to hit cardio again this evening to just make sure the lunch and extra dessert doesn’t jack with me too much. It’s so hard to be mindful of your calories when you eat out and I want to be careful.

I’m pretty proud of myself. For the first time that I can remember, I went to a buffet, stayed in control and didn’t feel deprived. I did it my way.

Are you able to stay in control at buffets? Do you have any tricks or tips?

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