Once a cheater, always a cheater?

I have a problem.


I'm a cheater. I just can't seem to keep my hands to myself. 


No, I don't cheat on my husband (why would I nibble on processed cheese when I've got St. Albert's cheese at home?!)


I cheat on my diet. Constantly. And in doing so, I'm cheating myself.


I can't help myself! My stomach growls, I fear it and feed it. My tummy wants, I spoil it rotten. And before I know it, I've eaten tons of amazing and delicious foods  crap and am bursting out the seams of my pants. I have to grease the doorways in order to fit through them. My butt earns it's own postal code. 


I thought I was doing great by choosing one day a week to have a small cheat. That day comes, I cheat (okay, splurge), end up regretting all that I ate and promise not to let myself go so crazy the next time .. then the next day comes and I'm doing it again. It seems I just can't settle with that one cheat day, I need more .. and more .. and more ...


I see the numbers on the scale. Instead of getting lower, they're climbing in the opposite direction - FAST. I'll lose three pounds in one week and put them back on in two days. Two days to ruin the hard work I put into seven!? Thanks a LOT, metabolism!!


So I'm thinking I need to make a change here. Instead of binging one night and making empty promises to be better tomorrow, I'm going to try to avoid feeling the need to cheat at all. I'm going to fill my fridge and cupboards with cheat food "substitutes" ... When I'm craving pizza, I'll have a Smart Ones pizza or make my own pita pizzas .. When I'm craving ice cream, I'll grab a pre-portioned treat from the freezer .. when I'm craving my precious Cheezies .. well heck, I guess I'll just keep craving them because let's be real here - there is NO eating in moderation when it comes to those. Or maybe eat them on a treadmill? Suggestions?!


I'm definitely dieting but my problem thus far is that I'm not doing anything to fix / change / eliminate the bad habits I've created and relied on over the years. Time to rectify that .. I'm dieting to lose weight, not to maintain it and definitely NOT to put it on. This mama doesn't need - or want - to be the size of two mamas!


So today, I'm putting my goal in writing and publishing it for all to see so that you can all keep me accountable. I want to lose two pounds a week - and without the need for cheat days. Think I can do it? Or will I fall back and be the clichéd "once a cheater, always a cheater"?


My name is Laura and I'm a food-aholic. But I'm not going to be a round one for long :)