Emotional Eating

I’m bored and my to-do list consists of things I’m not “in the mood” to do. What else could I do? I could organize my desk and office, which vary from organized chaos to simply chaos…I could complete the photo project I’d been wanting to complete…I could update my clients website ahead of schedule…I could invoice…I could hit the kitchen and see if there is something in the fridge that might perk me up. Then I remembered I’m prepared for this…I have nothing in my fridge but fruit, veggies and chicken. I am both relieved and disappointed. I can always head to 7-11 for a snack…but that is old behavior. That is what I used to do. Now I do things differently…most of the time.

I embodied the saying “had a feeling, had a snack” for years but that is not the life I lead today. Now if I start craving a snack when I am clearly not hungry, I ask what I am feeling. If I don’t know then I write. Usually writing stream of consciousness for a page or two will get me to what I am feeling or more likely avoiding. Usually simply taking a pause and acknowledging that my craving is not hunger-related gives me enough time to make another choice. I will even say “I’m not hungry” out loud. Sometimes I call a friend and tell them I “feel” like eating and why. When I do succumb, as happens from time to time, I resist the urge to beat myself up. This is now always easy. Historically I used to indulge and then beat myself up for the indulgence making me feel bad and eventually leading to indulging again. The key for me is acknowledging my feelings, holding myself accountable and having compassion when I slip, acknowledging that sometimes a slip is the best I can do.

Food Prep

I think one of the biggest differences between how I used to eat and how I eat now is food prep. I used to wait until I was hungry and ask myself what I wanted to eat. Yesterday I made a turkey meatloaf with four portions. Tonight I made a chicken dish...also four portions. I cut up peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, hearts of palm and carrots, enough for several salads. I also have cut broccoli ready to be steamed and an entire watermelon cut up in the fridge. Snacks and meals are planned. I may not stick to the plan every day but I have made a commitment not to waste food. Therefore when I do deviate from the plan I have food in the fridge to get right back on the plan for the next meal. No excuses. I feel pretty good today. Everything I ate came out of my kitchen. The goal is to remember that feeling for the next day.