THE FOOD LIST

It's time to stop whining and complaining about my food addiction and start discussing some strategies to cope with it.  Don't worry, I'm sure there will be plenty more discussions regarding my relentless obsession with food, but for right now I'd like to share a technique I've had success with in the past and have begun implementing again.  It's called, "The Food List."  There is a good chance you will look at me like I'm crazy when I tell you this, if so, good news you are not a food addict!  The rest of you will understand and relate completely.  Yes, I keep a list for almost everything- my shopping, my to-do, my goals, the reading I do, home projects, recipes I've prepared, reminders, movies I want to see.  The list goes on and no (no pun intended ;-)  It sounds a bit OCD, but I like to think of it as the way I exercise control and organization over my life.  It would stand to reason that I should make a list for the one thing I seem to be lacking some control over- my eating!  When I have an unbearable urge to eat something that isn't making dietary sense at the time, I put it on my food list.  It may be just one thing that I've been craving for some time.  Other times it may be one thing a day that is gnawing at me.  Irregardless, I put it on the list.  Then I set mini goals for myself.  If I am able to stay on my eating plan successfully for the next seven days I can have something from "The Food List."  The beauty is, it really helps me in several ways.  One, it helps me control those urges in the moment without sending myself the depressing message, "I can't have this."  I can, just not right now.  Sometimes a mind trick that small is enough for me to be able to reason with myself.  Two, many times when I reach my goal I've long forgotten about the thing I thought I had to have so desperately.  Sometimes not, and I have literally counted down the days, but at least it helps me weed through true cravings and desires versus impulses.  Three, this isn't about depravity, more it's about having the things you want, but in a body conscious way that is not detrimental to your health or fitness plan.  It teaches you control, good decision making, and moderation.  Most of all, it raises your awareness about the things you crave and how often you give into those impulses.

I believe if you deprive yourself to the point where dieting is punishment, then you are just repeating the cycle of self loathing.  It is not a crime to eat, but it is a crime to abuse your body and health.  My husband, an amateur foodie but foodie none the less, uses a "cheat day."  Similar in concept, but it definitely can lead to a more troublesome result.  I developed "The Food List" when I found I was struggling with his method.  In my opinion, a "cheat" day encourages mindless eating.  "I can have whatever I want today, therefore, I'm gonna have everything, even stuff I'm not hungry for!"  An entire day dedicated to bad choices can also undo the good choices we've spent all week making.  It is sometimes really tough to return back to "normal" eating after you've gone "hog-wild" all day.  The food list allows you to have a controlled indulgence, one that you truly desire and find rewarding, yet it does not propel your body and mind back into an unhealthy state of overload the way I believe a "cheat day" can.  I welcome the day when I can make great, body-conscious, eating decisions without use of a list, but until then, I find "The Food List" a great way to manage my cravings.  I may still on occasion eat for pleasure, but at least I am doing it here and there and not everywhere.

TIP OF THE DAY:  I do not recommend implementing a system like "The Food List," "cheat day," et cetera, until you have been on your program a safe amount of time where you can exercise an indulgence without causing irreparable damage to your progress.  For each individual that time frame is different.  For me, it is about ten days to two weeks.  If I do it too soon, I may fall off the wagon, and if I don't do it at least that frequent, I tend to snap and binge.

"Moderation. Small helpings. Sample a little bit of everything. These are the secrets of happiness and good health."  -Julia Child