"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...

[Slapshot]

a/k/a Going to Hershey, PA with the family...

Well, this weekend was the big test. Hershey Park with the family. (Planned before I started Atkins). I knew I was in trouble when we arrived and rolled the windows down in the heart of Hershey and smelled chocolate (it's literally in the air).

I made the decision that this weekend was going to be a no-cheat/losing weight weekend. There is no level "5" for me. It's either 0 or 10. I wanted to stay at a level 0. So, the moment we arrived I set the tone by jumping on the hotel's elliptical for 40 mins. Then we went and had a nice steak dinner.

Hersheypark itself was difficult, but thankfully distracting with all 24 of the kiddie rides we rode. From the kettle corn, to the cotton candy, to every chocolate treat you could imagine. Alas, I was good at the park, having an italian sausage sandwich sans bun.

The chocolate tour was also difficult due to the smells and the enormous amount of candy in the gift shop, including the most difficult temptation (which I had never seen before): a king sized (1lb) Hershey bar filled with Reese's peanut butter. Think giant reese's cup. I passed. Sadly.

This was a huge test for me. Prior to this WOE, I would have taken these few days "off" and vowed to get back on track when I got home. We all know how that works out. So, I chose to stick to plan, and I did. I didn't feel deprived, oddly, because I felt in such control. In an odd way, that was kind of cool.

So, to sum up, I wouldn't recommend going to Hershey while on Atkins.

[Desihue]

Oh my Lord!! you deserve the medal of honor for your bravery while in Hershey.
Seriously, I think I’m pretty tough but I don’t know if I could have been strong enough to withstand Hershey!!! And the giant PB filled chocolate bar would have just put me over the top. I want to bite my screen just reading about it all. I don’t even know you and I’m proud of you like we’re family or something. Congrats all over the place to you for standing your ground with Atkins in the midst of the adversary

[Zarabelle]

YAY! Good for you xxx

[imagood1]

Medal of Honor AND a Silver Star...what willpower -- congratulations to you. I know what you mean about the smell being in the air....it's ridiculous but you went and left conquering the big chocolate demon! I am extremely proud of you!!

[Sunny_0ne]

I loved you title!

I am so proud of you, Slapshot.

I don't think I would have done nearly as well.

Congratulations on being a REAL winner!

[SunnySmile501]

Strange what trips each of our triggers. I have mentioned before that the smell of chocolate sickens me. Just reading Slapshot's and Carole's description made my stomach roll and I actually gagged. I didn't even have to smell it for real.

I used to live within sight of Hershey Chocolate, Stuarts Draft, VA. It was torture to my fitness walking plan. I sometimes bake chocolate chip cookies, but I leave the kitchen while they are baking. I have the same reaction to the smell of popcorn. Can't go to a movie theater because of the smell.

My problem is when I go by a pizza parlor or a buffet restaurant when they are pumping out the smell to attract customers: even if I just ate and am full, I want to stop and eat again.

[SunnySmile501]

Forgot to say, "Good job, Slapshot!"

[Elizellen]

Well done, Slapshot

[Slapshot]

Thanks for the kudos and kind words everyone. I appreciate your support and know that you all understand this temptation (vacation PLUS amusement park fare PLUS surrounded by chocolate everything). If there was ever going to be a slide on this WOE for me, it was going to have been this weekend. I'm reinvigorated that if I can pass this test, then the only test remaining is longevity on the WOE. That's my next hurdle as Hershey was just one battle. Winning the war is next!

[Kathi22]

I went to Hershey in September, and after the chocolate tour they handed us free Bliss candies - then walking through the park I smelled kettle chips (homemade potatoe chips) everywhere I went. Piles of it on peoples plates, ice cream cones everywhere, pizza, etc etc. It was carb and junk food heaven. EXCELLENT JOB SLAPSHOT!!!