Emotional Eating - People LOVE to deny this problem!

This was a hard reality for me to swallow ... that I might "emotional eat."  It sounds so silly ... so weak ... so cliche.  I just figured that I ate because I wanted to not feel hungry.  

It is funny, though, once I opened my mind to really noticing when/why I was picking up certain foods, I also saw a pattern ... eating well past the hungry phase ... eating out and "pigging out" for the shear fun of it.  That, my friends, is emotional eating ... mindless or fun eating ... emotional eating.  That equates to using food as a mechanism to bring you pleasure when you know logically that the high calories and fat are ruining your health.

I think that any time you are eating for any reason other than being legitimately hungry, then you are emotional eating.  The reasons can range from ... "I deserve a treat after my tough day." ... to "Someone made this special treat at the office and I should at least try it." ... "My husband wants to eat out and I have to go along with him and there isn't anything healthy on the menu." ... "I just love the taste of food but I don't eat to satisfy any emotion." (yeah, right ... Pleasure seeking at the expense of your health IS an attempt to meet an emotional need!)

Other emotional eating comes from what I call "habit foods" or "treat foods."  These are the "treats" that suddenly become a standard part of our diet.  For example, you go to the donut store on Saturday and find a new donut that you really, really like.  Sunday, you're back at the store ... then swinging by there again on Monday morning.  Before you know it, you have started and maintained a bad habit of a donut every morning ... It's very hard to admit these harmful habits (because then you have to give them up ... or live in guilt).

I did this with Starbucks coffee.  I finally decided to break the habit and quit going.  Now, when I do stop for a coffee, it doesn't taste nearly as great as I remember when I was in the cycle.  It's still very good ... but it doesn't call my name the next day.  I'm okay with once or twice a month as a fun treat ...

I'm trying to keep variety in my diet and not let myself fall into too much "habit food" indulging.  I have picked up a new "drink of choice" at the Shell station ... so I'm thinking that my goal for March is to drop the drink down to only one morning per week ... maybe I'll make it a Saturday morning treat only.

Good luck to me!  :)

Fresh Start

This week will be my "fresh start" back into journaling my food.  I'm weighing in at 137 - even after being "off the wagon" for so long between me being sick, kids being sick and going out of town.  

I would like to take off another 3-5 pounds before the summer.  Sticking with small portions and healthy choices in snacks is key for me ... along with 40-60 minutes of exercise bike or Stairmaster per day.  I'm back to doing some weights, too ... I'd been out of that habit for these past few weeks.