Once every three months is reasonable.

This is something I've thought a lot about in recent weeks, and now I have to make a decision.

I've been thinking that, while Treat Day once a month is a nice ritual that keeps me from feeling totally deprived (and one that I actually work into the program), there are going to be times when I just want a day's vacation from all of this. I was thinking that one day every three months, if I chose to stick to program or not, it would be okay. Normally it would be a day I'd plan for in advance (like Treat Day) and I'd be especially good the rest of the week, to minimize the damage. Sometimes I need a break from eating nothing but stuff that I know the exact nutritional information for. So I am declaring tomorrow a points-free day.

What brought this issue to a head? The lovely room I'm staying in tonight has a full buffet breakfast included in the price. In recent weeks, I have been craving home-fried potatoes and sausages like you wouldn't believe. I've already paid for it in the room price, so skipping out on it would drive me crazy.

I must confess that I've already been slightly bad tonight (after supper at Subway, I found a vending machine -- see why I avoid them like the plague at school?), but not off-the-charts bad -- just about 7 flexpoints.

The other reason I really want to go to that breakfast is because I really haven't been able to spend time with my "roomie", Kim. She is attending the entire weekend retreat, meals included, whereas I'm only taking two classes. So we don't get to eat meals together, except for this one.

So tomorrow will be a points-free day. I will carefully count out and plan for my Christmas dinner next month, and I will not have another points-free day until February or March. (My birthday is in early March, so that works well.)

I just have to remember, as I get my breakfast tomorrow morning, that my system isn't used to this stuff anymore, and to not overdo it. Otherwise, it could be a very l-o-n-g drive home tomorrow!