I’m not too good at breaking bad habits. I just hate being told that I can’t do something, even when I’m the one saying so. Take, for instance, eating between meals. Last spring I could no longer ignore the fact that none of my clothes fit. I got on the scales and saw that I had gained 10 pounds — no idea where they came from.
My husband, God love him, pointed out that I seemed to do a lot of snacking. What! Snacking? I might graze — on healthy things — I don’t snack! Or so I thought.
I decided to try an experiment. I would stop eating between meals for a while and see what happened. Only I didn’t tell myself I had to stop. Instead I simply said “Diane, you are a person who doesn’t eat between meals.” It may sound silly, but it became somewhat of a mantra and it worked. I would stare at that bag of cashews, block of cheddar cheese, or supper leftovers mid-morning or mid-afternoon and drool. I wouldn’t be hungry. They just happened to catch my eye and then my stomach. I would say my new mantra out loud and the urge would pass.
I met my goal. I lost the 10 pounds and I feel a lot better. I also have a different outlook on my relationship with food. Grazing may work just fine for some people. It doesn’t for me.
I came across an infographic (I love infographics) from Cleveland Clinic that has some tips on how to turn other kitchen bad habits into good ones. Good luck!
If you’ve got any kitchen advice of your own to share, please do. Just go to the comments section below and tell us what it is. Thank you!
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