Grabbing the controls

We posted that a good diet is a healthy eating plan you can follow for the rest of your life. Getting an eating mix that’s just right for you is like finding the greatest pair of jeans. It’s no good too loose or too tight; it’s gotta be styled just right. Finding that balance is the key to getting it off and keeping it off. Sooooo if you find yourself grabbing for food too often or you’re restricting yourself so much that you’re ready to scream, think of Goldilocks, or finding great jeans; not too loose, not too tight, but just right to make you want to stay. Here’s some things to think about:

-Are you getting enough sleep? (check older post-‘ snooze to lose’)
-Are you watching too much TV? (check older posts – ‘TV’s are getting slimmer, we are not;’ ‘no more couch potatoes;’ ‘A good diet means less TV’)
-Are you drinking lots of calories ( check older post – ‘so-duh’)
-Are you taking in lots of salt ( check older post – ‘can’t shake it’)
-Was your last meal full of carbs? ( sweets, chips, pasta, white bread)
-Are you eating to calm yourself down or fill an emotional emptiness?

Some To-Do’s:
1) Cut out pairs of pictures of thin women and large ones. Tape a set to your mirror, refrigerator door, your pantry door or anyplace you need to remind yourself that you want to downsize, not fill up with food. Look at them when you’re grabbing and force yourself to go for something healthier.
2) Stock up on gum, water, fruit , easy-grab veggies and use them to satisfy the craving to chew or fill-up.
3) Think out of the box:
Some things are just too tempting. We keep eating them like we’re in a crazed mania. To avoid trouble, put portions on a plate in a glass or in a plastic zip bag BEFORE tasting. If you can keep snacks to about 100 calories – you get the gold star.....

11 Things to dish out, or you can’t take it.
Portion control is key, especially with these foods:
candy
soda
cheese
chips
cereal
pretzels
deli meats
popcorn
nuts
cookies
ice cream

if there are more IRRESISTIBLES, add them to the list. Make sure you portion it out before you let yourself eat.

4) Start a daily food diary. Keep it as simple as - writing down what you ate during the day.... both meals and snacks - do it before you go to bed if you can't find time before that .... you can check your progress, set goals for yourself , and see what times and foods are the hardest. Then you can make up strategies to help yourself thru the rough spots.... we'll post lots more about that. If you're into it, write down what your mood was like before you ate and after..... This is all about getting to know your triggers so you can find ways to disarm them!!!!!!