Just the other day, I was discussing mindless snacking with a client. When cravings strike as soon as you get home from work or after the kids go to bed, it’s time to stop and ask yourself if you are truly hungry.
Do you have physical signs of hunger or are you rewarding yourself after a hard day? Could this be how you are “using” you’re down-time? Is the craving for chocolate chip cookies your exhale from a long and tiring day? For many of us, this is a particularly vulnerable time for mindless and over eating.
So what’s your answer? Are you truly hungry or rewarding yourself?
Let me take you through a common scenario…
Thought 1: ahh, finally, it’s quiet…
Thought 2: I could watch anything I want to on tv or, do nothing…
Thought 3: some peanut M & Ms would be really good right now…
Sound familiar?
When the specific craving hits you and you realize you may be rewarding yourself, try adding this to your mental banter.
Thought 4: peanut M & Ms would be good but I just ate dinner, I’m not physically hungry…
Thought 5: But I still want it… (wait how’d that thought sneak back in?)
Thought 6: I do want the M & Ms, but I recognize I am not physically hungry… I’ll put a portion of them in my lunch tomorrow so I can enjoy them when I’m actually hungry.
Sometimes changing the inner dialogue from “you shouldn’t” to “let’s plan that in” can help you avoid overeating and the food reward.
Stop “shoulding” on yourself and try it!
***Have you ever wondered if you’re specific cravings mean anything in partcular?? Stay tuned… Janet answers the question for us next week!
