Even though I’ve created and written a lot of good ideas, many of them seem to slip away and I slide back into old habits. When that happens, I start to struggle with managing my weight.
But when I stop and take a look at my life, I immediately see things I’ve let go of. I simply forget to do them.
Reminder #1: Savoring
A great way to increase awareness of your food is to use the concept of savoring. With this technique, you eat a very small amount at a time. But while you’re eating, you pay total attention to how the food tastes and feels.
Here’s how it works.
Next time you eat one of your favorite foods such as a piece of cheesecake or something chocolate, savor it and notice every detail.
Take tiny bites, about the size of a fourth of a teaspoon, and then pay total attention to the flavor as well as the texture of the food. With each bite, allow yourself to feel contented and satisfied.
When you eat with this level of awareness, you receive an amazing amount of enjoyment and satisfaction from your food.
Also, because you truly notice and appreciate the taste of the food, you get what you want, your craving stops, and you realize that you don’t need to eat any more.
Reminder #2: Hunger or desire to eat?
The words slip out so easily. “If I eat something, maybe I’ll feel better.”
When you’re tired, stressed or physically ill, food is often the first thing that comes to mind. It provides an appealing cure for everything from a cold or the flu to exhaustion after a long day.
If you’re tired because your body is needing fuel, eating probably will make you feel better. But having an energy drop doesn’t always mean it’s time to eat.
Whenever you start thinking about food, take a minute to figure out whether you’re having a physical need or an emotional one.
Before you put the first bite in your mouth, ask yourself: Is this hunger or a desire to eat?
If you decide you are truly hungry, give your body some fuel.
But if you’re having a desire to eat, catch yourself on the spot and ask, “What’s going on here? What’s making me want to eat right now?”
Then consider how you could take care of your real needs instead of appeasing them with food.