Expert: Reverend Abbott - 8/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hey. I know I'm not anorexic or bulemic, but I know I don't have a healthy view on food. I will try to eat healthy all day (cereal, vegetables for lunch, something small for dinner) but the slightest things and slip-ups make me feel terrible. I regret eating some things so much that I practically beat myself up over them. I know it's not going to make me gain 10 lbs. over night, but I still worry. Sometimes it ruins my day if I have a piece of chocolate. I really need some advice to put myself at ease and relax about all this. Thanks

ANSWER:  This used to be the entire reason behind my giving up on whatever 'diet' I was on and binge eating for the rest of the day, figuring I blew it and would start over another time.

What worked? Stopping the diets and eating right overall, which included allowing 'treats' every day.  It's not that difficult to learn to have that chocolate in a certain amount and once you 'allow' it, you won't get so upset over it.

If this is a candy bar, cut it in half and allow yourself one half every day.  You can have it all at once or cut that half into pieces.
 Measure out what amounts to a 'serving size' and cut it in half when it comes to any chocolate or sweets.

 You might be surprised at what's healthy eating and how much more you can have without gaining weight.  If you need to lose weight, this will do that too.  Take a look by copying and pasting this into your address bar www.GetTheReal.info

 Keep up the good work!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks! I'll try. Today I ate icecream with brownies in it, and I've been trying not to regret it and keep my mind on other things. I'm trying to teach myself that food shouldn't be an enemy, but something to enjoy. I still always think about food though. Do you know any ways to keep your mind off it and only think about it when your hungry?

ANSWER:  The hardest thing to teach myself was to actually EAT on a schedule.  Force myself to have breakfast (now it's second nature), lunch and dinner.  The treats are absolute necessities too.  When you look at it this way, well, it's impossible to feel guilty about something you're supposed to be doing right?

 Just be sure to monitor your serving size.  I can make a half cup of ice cream last longer than those people eating double trouble sized sundaes!  

If you schedule your meals and include the right things (the whole grains are so important) AND add the fruit throughout the day for snacks - you aren't going to actually be hungry, you're going to be withdrawing from an old habit.

 In about 3 weeks that habit should be broken and the new eating life plan much more firmly in place.  

Until then, when you feel an overwhelming urge to do the wrong thing - do something with your hands.  Paint, sketch, sew, knit, whatever is something new to you and will be a challenge.  You might just discover some hidden talent!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again! I'll try sketching or knitting when I know I'm about to have a million snaks I know I will regret later on. How often and what do you eat for snacks? I was trying this new thing my friend taught me after going to France, that you should eat whatever you want, in good portion sizes, until you aren't hungry anymore. This worked for me for a while, but then I started worrying again. She used to have the same problem as me, but now she says she feels like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders. I'm trying to feel the same way. And how often do you exercise?

Answer
I make a point of eating the right things during my scheduled mealtimes - getting the fruits inbetween (an orange, apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter spread over the slices, a banana with peanut butter, mango, pear, cup of pineapple or melon, berries, grapes) - and the sweet treat in proper proportion.

Have all the pickles you want when you crave something like chips or other salty, crunchy snacks.  
 Soft, sweet cravings can be satisfied by making a "milkshake" using nonfat (any flavor) soy milk and fruit.  1 cup soy milk + 5 ice cubes + 1 fruit (I use banana) and a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla.  You can add a tablespoon of Splenda too.  Blend well, sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg over the top and enjoy it like a thick slushy.

 It really works.

AND it's good for you.

 The most important thing is to realize that you're trying to change a LIFETIME of habit.  So what if you mess up now and then?  Shrug it off and in the next minute, get back on your healthy plan.  Not the next day... the next minute.  No matter how bad you messed up (just pretend it didn't happen).

As long as it doesn't happen all the time - it is absolutely no problem.