We all know food provides an instant fix.
In our culture of fast-food restaurants and microwave ovens, you can always get your food cravings fulfilled instantly.
Food also provides a great source of entertainment. If there’s nothing good on TV, you can always go raid the refrigerator until the programming changes.
In fact, it’s easy to slip into wandering around eating where you just let food solve your problems of boredom or restlessness.
Eating also provides a great way to procrastinate. Whenever you face a task you don’t want to do, food gives you a convenient escape.
The next time this happens, identify exactly what you don’t feel like doing. Then remind yourself, “The task will still be there after I finish my food, so I might as well go ahead and do it.”
Sometimes, we reach for food because we’re tired of all the demands in our lives. When you feel exhausted or emotionally worn down, eating is the only thing that doesn’t seem to take any effort!
But of course, the benefit of eating is short-lived, and soon we’re facing the same issues again. Instead of looking for the easy, instant fix, keep working on ways to take care of your life struggles without reaching for food.
Today’s assignment (my answers are in blue)
1. Identify times when you’re most likely to eat in order to avoid doing something. Write these down. Then plan ways you could handle these tasks without eating something first.
Wow- I can eat to get out of lots of things! When I’m working on a writing project, I will sometimes get up every ten minutes or so and think I need something to eat. (which isn’t true) I’ve had to practice the skill of BTC (butt to the chair) to make progress with my writing.
2. Make note of any times today when you’re tempted to use food as an instant fix.
Like the notes from today’s lesson, sometimes I feel tired of EVERYTHING. Dealing with my life, health, money, fatigue, etc. and it ALL makes me want to eat. Of course, that wouldn’t change a thing now, would it!
3. Write down some ways you could avoid eating when you’re bored or wanting entertainment.
For this, I find that playing my piano is always a big help. Music is very soothing to me, and the piano instantly takes away my boredom or restlessness.
Excerpted from Day 52 in the book 100 Days of Weight Loss