What if you were in a situation where you were in conflict over whether to maintain a good marriage or accede to your temptation to be with another man?  It’s one thing to know this and be able to consciously fight the temptation, if that’s what you choose. It’s a whole different ballgame if being tempted like this is something you are not conscious of.

The weight-loss process is like that. Some conflicting feelings and thoughts you are very much aware of. There the fight is out in the open. Your awareness makes it a fairer fight, even though the conflict may be a difficult one for you. A prime example is going to social events where there are fattening foods when you are trying to stay on a diet. Do you give up sticking to a diet, or do you give up the social event? Or do you make some type of compromise: go, but have a plan to seek out the best diet food and eat only that.

BUT—if you’re unaware of your desires, of your conflicting feelings—party time, yay, all bets are off—then you don’t really know there’s a fight to be fought. At the party you fall for that other guy—forbidden foods. Your marriage is pushed aside. Later, when you’re safe in your own home, you might rescue your good sense and go back to dieting with your old resolve. The conflict is set aside for the time being because the other guy is not in sight.

The dilemma of being tempted to give up what you have for something or someone else is universal. The grass is always greener sort of thing. The best solution is to keep this fight with yourself out in the open. Know your conflicting feelings, even the ones that are out of your awareness.

by Maria's Last Diet