It seems like motivation is running rampant in the blogging world these days, and I’m not immune to this infectious energy that is taking over. Since I made a solid decision to eat better and try to be more mindful of MOVING more, I’ve lost 11 pounds, and I feel really great! It’s funny how any move in the negative direction on the scale results in serious motivation to keep it up, isn’t it?
My biggest problem, I’m rediscovering, is really about portion control. If I’m being mindful of what I’m eating, I know what a reasonable portion is. The problem, of course, is that I really don’t eat mindfully. The mindful eating problem has become far worse since having kids, and man it’s a something I struggle with every day.
If I’m hungry, I eat – how much I eat depends on whether or not I’m paying attention to the food that I’m putting into my mouth or onto my plate. Yes, I eat if I’m stressed, and sometimes even if I’m just plain bored, but those are far easier for me to overcome….this one has me stumped.
Sometimes I have to eat on the run, and I’m always eating and paying attention to stories about school or an exciting recollection of just what songs the Wiggles sang on that particular day. I eat, and then when I’m done whatever food I decided to wolf down (yes, sometimes it’s just as pretty as it sounds), I think “Huh, I wonder if I really needed to eat that?”
So, that seemingly simple problem, really has me stumped. I’m not sure how I’m going to tackle this – any other moms (or any busy people, really!!) out there have suggestions about how to eat mindfully while tending to life?
Meal plan, meal plan, meal plan. :-) I put my meal plan for the week on the fridge and choose one day or a few hours a week to cook a number of dishes and then portion them into containers for freezing or for placing in the fridge. Some components are cooked or put together on the fly like fresh veggies but having that meal plan to focus on helps so much. Dinner time comes around, I look at the slot on the calendar for that meal and then prepare my meal accordingly. I keep on plan, I took care of the portioning when I was not in a busy state and I know that when I'm finished eating it was the portion I was supposed to have. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I could give you some advice but I struggle with the same thing. Although my biggest problem is eating when I am bored. I also have caught myself eating stuff when I get my girls snacks...like goldfish, pretzels, marshmellows. I don't really even think about it.
ReplyDeleteTry to sit down at the table without the tv on and eat slowly. Make it an event...talk time with your kids.
One of the things I found conflicting with the the whole "intuitive" eating thing (which might be a bit different from what you are specifically addressing here) is that if I only eat when I'm hungry (and this especially is pertinent to busy Moms), then you can be stuck out and about or in a situation where you cannot eat when you are hungry at the time and then you end up starving! So if you "plan ahead" and eat before you leave or whatever to prevent this, then you're really not eating intuitively. But I think what you're talking about is just being mindful while you eat which is also a tough thing to do when you have Mom ears/eyes constantly on the lookout for everything/one else!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on losing 11 lbs my dear - that's truly awesome!!!!
I could have written this! I don't have the answer, except for maybe pre-planned and packed snacks. I am trying to be HERE in the NOW while I'm eating, too. Hard to do...
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I am your newest follower! :) Erin
ReplyDeletewww.purplebookbloggingmommy.blogspot.com
Hey! Just found your blog :-) Write down everything you put into your mouth for a whole week. Then sit down at the end of the week and analyse things a bit. Then make a meal plan to add balance to your diet. Always try to sit at the table to eat :-)
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