Inclined to head for the fridge when you're feeling low? You're
not alone. There's no doubt about it, food makes us feel good,
at least for a while.
But it's a false friend when you want to lose weight because you
end up eating when you're not hungry and those unneeded calories
end up right where you don't want them - on your hips. The
momentary pleasure of eating and forgetting your troubles soon
passes and you're left with regret and even more weight to lose.
Do your best to get out of the habit of cheering yourself up
with food. Ice cream or chocolate won't really help. Ideally you
would face up to what is wrong and make a plan to do something
about it, rather than trying to squash your feelings. But
sometimes you just won't want to go there and need to find other
ways to cheer yourself up.
Rather than waiting until you're feeling low to think of
something to help, put together a Personal Pleasure List now.
Think of all the things you love to do (other than eat!) and
write them down ready to remind yourself when you need a lift.
Make sure you include as many as possible for all different
situations because not everything on your list will appeal or be
available to you at every moment. Here are a few things on my
list to start you off.
10 quiet minutes on the sofa with a good novel
Listening to uplifting music (create a collection of tracks just
for this purpose)
Watching a comedy video
Cuddling my family
Window shopping
Giving myself a manicure and pedicure
Having a nap in the middle of the day
Planning my ideal day for the future
Calling a friend
Having a bubble bath
Reading an inspirational or self-help book
Going for a walk in a local beauty spot
Stroking a pet
Doing a puzzle
Looking at old holiday photographs
Clearing out a drawer
Planting some flowers or sowing some seeds in my garden
Having a facial or massage
Buying a glossy magazine
Planning a trip
Thinking about all the good things in my life
Dancing (at home)
Going to the movies (nothing too heavy)
Remembering the good times
As well as using your Personal Pleasure List when you're feeling
down why not plan some of these actvities more often into your
everyday life to keep your spirits high? Positively look for
ways to make yourself feel great, think about all the great
things you have going for you and make comfort eating a thing of
the past.
Copyright 2006, Janice Elizabeth Small
About the author:
Janice Elizabeth is a weight loss coach, slimming club owner and
author of "The Diet Exit Plan". Her system promotes permanent
healthy and automatic weight loss through making small changes
to your everyday habits. Get her FREE 15 page report "How to
lose weight without dieting - 7 secrets the diet industry
doesn't want you to know" at
http://www.SimplySlimming.com
TODAY!
