Lo and behold - the cake appeared today. Smelled heavenly - thickly sweet, massive sugar and chocolate. I sliced large pieces for my co-workers; I didn't want to bring any home. I cut a piece for myself. Not too big, not too small .
That first bite was fantastic. I haven't had anything even close since August. I savored those first few bites. Then words from my dear friend rang in my ear - and I stopped eating halfway through. I was satiated.
The next hour, however, was horrible. I was sick to my stomach. The sugar was heavy in my gut, and a few times I thought I was actually going to be ill. I commented to a co-worker how bad I felt - and he admitted the same. We are both eating a lot healthier these days.
My stomach clearly wasn't happy. I've changed my body's internal chemistry, its preferences have been reset to the factory settings - and the sugary mess was...an abomination.
I said yes to the cake not because I really wanted it - but because I didn't want to let others down. Upon reflection this evening, I see the correct thing to do should have been to politely decline cake, and have the luncheon we had ( the Mediterranean wrap I had was good and Clean ) stand as my celebration. Instead, I chose others over myself.
Is the right move a selfish one? Could I have said yes to cake and not eaten any? ( I seriously have been thinking about that ... )
I don't know the answer - but I do know, the wrong answer made me sick. I used to crave birthday cake. After this afternoon's experience, I can't believe I'm saying these words: I don't think I want another piece of cake.