Filling the Void

Filling the Void
When you narrow it down, weight loss, and as a result, health, is a pretty simple concept. There are good foods and bad foods. How do you tell the difference?
The bad foods come in wrappers and have been manipulated by many before it reaches your shopping trolley. The good foods are the ones that the fruit & vege grocer and butcher sell. Sometimes with a smile if you're lucky.
So, if things are so plainly obvious to us (and don't say you didn't know - it's all over the TV!) why do we struggle to resist the temptations and give in to our nagging hungry needs with a mars bar or a packet of cheesels, too much bread or wine?
I am very familiar with how tough it is. 15 kilos ago I would see the good foods on the shelf, and then the bad food next to it and the little voice inside said "you will feel SO much better after you have eaten the bad stuff, it's just what you need". This is usually at about 3pm. And before you know it, I was crying in the bathroom with the shame that I'd broke that diet - again. Sound familiar?
There are 4 main reasons that we eat and as you read through these points, think about the times and reasons that you eat. Recognising this can put a big red stop sign between you and that piece of cake.
1. Fuel.
The first and most obvious is that we eat to fuel our bodies to get through our day. Our bodies are very good at telling us when we are hungry. "Time to stop and chow down", it says because we need nutrients and vitamins to power on.
Tip: Sometimes thirst can be confused with hunger so always make sure to drink lots of water and those hunger pains can generally be kept at bay.
Tip: Invest in some good nutritional supplements, it will give you a boost of everything that your body is crying out for.
2. Emotional.
I don't need a psychologist to tell me that I eat when something goes wrong, or when something goes right! Sometimes our emotions are a rollercoaster and we just want the fairy floss to go with it.
Tip: Even a small matter can bring on the need to "fill the void". A great way to stop the mechanical trek to the fridge is to do something else. Walk around the block, write an email to a friend, look up some old photos that make you laugh; anything to distract yourself. You will be amazed at how it can work.
3. Social
"Come on, it's only a pizza. I made it myself, you have to try it."
"Well I had to eat it, it would have been rude not to."
How many times have you heard it and said it? We are social creatures and our society has brought us up to connect food with social gatherings.
Remember that a social occasion is about the PEOPLE you are with, not the food you are eating.
Tip: Avoiding alcohol at social events can be tough but try some soda or mineral water with lemon in a wine glass as you work the room and you feel like you are having a drink just like everyone else.
4. Habitual
After a hard day at work do you go home to a snack and relax? Or do you always go for a stroll at lunchtime and end up at the same grease pit? Perhaps the girls go for coffee every day and you have a cappuccino with a snack on the side?
Human beings love to form habits don't we! Unfortunately some of our habits are bad for our health.
Tip: It takes 21 days to form a new habit (ie. breaking the old one). If you truly want to lose weight this year, circle your calendar 21 days from now and consciously change one part of your day and by then you will have forgotten about the vending machine altogether!
Once you can identify the reasons behind decisions you make with regards to food, you can start to be more aware of which choices are best for you.
Weight loss and management are not impossible, nor do you have to stay locked into the habits you have formed over the years. If you want to make 2008 your slimmest and healthiest year yet, it can be done.
Put us to the test! 1300 657 207 http://www.adventuresweightloss.com

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Filling the Void

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Filling the Void