The difference a wafer thin sheet of seaweed can make

Over the last couple of days, perhaps as much as a week, I've wavered from the Ideal Protein protocol insofar as having a few wafer thin sheets of seaweed following my evening snack.  They are lighter than air, with no sugar and very little carbs; what harm could they do?

It felt like my weight loss was significantly slowing down.  As it turned out, I was right.  By the end of the first week I had dropped 6.8 pounds.  It was only a 2.8 pound drop by the end of 14 days.

"That's a terrific loss," said the lady at the shop.  "Men do so well on this program."

She was saying it, but I wasn't believing it.  My inner monologue was practicing self flagellation for having succumbed to the carnal pleasures of my seaweeds snacks.

"No seaweed for me," I declared to Heather yesterday, thinking that if I said it out loud it would help minimize the temptation.  Goodness, was I wrong.

I was doing great, right up to the point where my last protein crunchy snack went down my gullet, about 30 minutes into Episode 2 of Season 2 of The West Wing.  Then my mind (and mouth) started its flirtatious dance with the delectables located in the cupboard just a few feet away.

Maybe Heather didn't hear me, I bargained with myself.  What harm could one little sheet of seaweed do? I thought.  Damn that seaweed!!!

When conflicted, drink water.  That's my most effective deterrent.

I got up, poured myself another full glass of H2O, and drank it up as the closing credits started to roll.  By then, the seaweed cravings had subsided and it was time for bed.  I had successfully resisted and completed a full day of being 100 percent in compliance with the protocol.

This morning I was 182.6, down a full pound from the morning before, and the morning before that, and the morning before that.  What difference can one little wafer of seaweed make?  Apparently about one pound.