Denial: Shouldn't but I did

I knew I shouldn't but I did...eat this legit Cornish Pasty on the weekend.

A few days ago I wrote about diet and exercise choices in two separate posts and mentioned that I work hard to make better choices because making bad ones impacts life itself, little by little; I also said there's been times when I've run completely off the rails, part of being human. Easting this pasty wasn't one of those completely off the rails moments, but it was a little bit off the rails. Ok, I know one is either on or off, but let me have this moment, please; it could have been far worse you know, the pasty and a cake afterwards!

My blood sugar level spiked to 15.2mmol/L when I tested it two hours later, mainly thinks to the pastry which is a carbohydrate; the red sugar, tomato sauce, wouldn't have helped either. Yep, I made a bad decision to add the sauce, it happens from time to time. I didn't feel physically or emotionally bad about my bad decisions later though, I know that sometimes human beings don't do what they know is good for them with enjoyment often being the reason and I enjoyed the Cornish pasty, my first this year, and that was that. I was content, despite my blood sugar level spiking far too high.

Later, I was thinking about all the things we deny ourselves in life. If you're like me, the list is long.

There's value in it of course, in my case as a diabetic not eating carbohydrates and sugar means I'll live longer, but in many cases we actually feel bad because we've denied ourselves a particular thing; the denial itself bringing on negative feelings. For some it's smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, others it's food or purchasing an item they don't really need, it could be denying one's own access to another person, place or activity; there's many other things. Discipline is hard work; if it was easy everyone would be doing it, and they certainly are not. But, discipline is often the driving factor towards taking people to better health, thoughts and attitudes, relationships, job prospects and so on.

I'm a very disciplined person (usually) and find it reasonably comfortable to be so, but that doesn't mean it's easy for me. I think most will agree that being disciplined can be quite difficult and especially so when the things we deny ourselves are enjoyable, but it's through that discipline, denying ourselves things that could potentially be detrimental, limiting or even dangerous that gains can be made and life can be improved, or influenced.

I was wondering about the things people have denied themselves in life and thought I'd pose it as a question to you folks.

If you're interested in sharing your thoughts on the topic feel free to comment below and talk about the things you've denied yourselves, or those which you feel you should deny yourself. What has helped you find the discipline or why have you not been able to. Make your comments below if you're at all interested in doing so, I always respond.