Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Join associate editor Tami Fertig on a 7-day challenge to reset her sense of proper portions. Sign up to receive daily challenge newsletters here and be sure to read the magazine story that inspired the challenge here.

Yesterday, I fell off the meal plan. Forgive me, everyone.

I had a feeling this might happen when I decided to bike to work. Biking always makes me ravenous, but I was going a little stir-crazy, what with all the cooking and the meal planning.

I was fine until lunchtime. Then VT‘s editor in chief, Elizabeth Turner, announced from her office that she’’d be grabbing a veggie burrito from the food truck across the street. “”Anyone else want one?”” she called out. I did. I wanted one. I’’d just eaten some garlic toast and had a container of tasty Fennel and Tomato Soup in the fridge, but I wanted one nonetheless——for the simple reason that I find it very difficult to resist a burrito.

I sat silently as she passed by my desk.

But my resolve didn’’t last. On the way home from work, I stopped at my favorite noodle bar for dinner. I was tired and hungry and not willing to wait for my German Cabbage and Potato Casserole with Caraway to bake in the oven. Not my finest moment, but at least I asked the server to bring me only half my veggie noodle bowl and box up the rest!

Here’’s hoping I can last the next two days without giving in to temptation.

My biggest concern today is a birthday party I’’m attending after work. I normally gravitate toward the snack table at these sorts of events, but that seems dangerous now. With any luck, it’’ll be packed with baby carrots.

The end is so close! How’’s the challenge treating you? Join the chat with your stories.


—To sign up for the 7-Day Portion Control daily newsletter, visit the main page.

—Get the full 7-day meal plan.

—Read the magazine story that inspired the challenge, The Get Real Diet.

—Check out the Serving Savvy Cheat Sheet.