Another pitfall in my way has been my crazy schedule. As Billy noticed, I'm constantly all over the place. I go from school to work, and am on the road a ton during the day. Because of the hectic schedule, I tend to eat "when I get a chance" - and that chance has translated into eating on the road, eating right when I get to work, eating when the clock says to eat (as opposed to when I am hungry), and eating later at night than I want to because that's when life finally slows down.
Every few months my schedule changes (thank my college classes/student teaching for that). Every few months I have to relearn what works - and honestly, I didn't take the time to do that this time around. Take today for example - I was starving the minute I woke up today, but didn't want to eat until AFTER the gym - that way, I wouldn't carry my hunger over until later. I think that's a pitfall I set myself up for. What I SHOULD have done was grabbed a piece of fruit and taken it with me - take the 'hunger pains' away, and keep on my scheduled day.
My body doesn't know what to do lately. All I do is think about food, when my next meal is, and how QUICKLY I end up eating my food when it's actually time to eat.
One thing I've noticed lately is that when I'm alone eating - I wolf down my food. If it's the breakfast in the morning, or my lunch on the days where I eat in the car or at work - I scarf it down. Then, I'm not satisfied. I just simply want more food - not because I'm still hungry, but because I feel like I should still be eating. For those of you who have never dealt with food addictions, you might not understand this. But I have a feeling there's some of you out there that do.
On the other hand, when I'm eating in the teacher's lounge and carrying on conversation at the same time - or if I'm with my wife and we're having a meal together, I tend to eat like a human being. Erin always tells me that once my food gets to the table (when we go out to eat), I stop talking to her and just focus on eating the meal. I never realize that I'm doing that when it's happening, but she's brought it to my attention lately that once that plate hits the table and my fork is in hand, she can count out conversation with me. That's something that shines a light on another pitfall.
Eating too fast.
So this is what I can learn from this, and how I will adjust.
Starting tomorrow, I will set TIMES for my meals, and what I will eat when. I'll have a bowl of oatmeal BEFORE the gym. I will come home, shower, do my thing and then grab a piece of fruit to eat on the way to school, so I'm not stressing out about driving without food (trust me, it's as bad as it sounds). Then, I will bring a few extra pieces of fruit and vegetables in a bag and I will eat those at school in the teacher's lounge. I will bring my turkey chili to work, and eat that around 2 or 3pm - enough to hold me over until dinner time.
I will be conscious about how I eat. Take a bite - take my time to enjoy it, and if that means PUTTING THE FORK DOWN BETWEEN BITES, that's what I'll do. That worked for me in the past, so I will do that again.
The bottom line is, I have to get back into my habits. I go to the gym 6-7 days a week, and it's just clockwork. I don't have to fight myself, I don't try to skip out - it's my ROUTINE, and I'm good with it. My body accepts it.
I have to do the same thing with food. The only way to create a habit is to repeat the behavior - so that's what I'm going to do.
9 comments:
Hiya,
Why did you stop logging what you ate on here? I think that really helps to keep you accountable to record it for all to see.
_ekt
Do what you gotta do Tuck.
Did you stop weighing yourself? Haven't seen a weight for a while.
I am a notoriously fast eater myself, but it hasn't really been much of a problem. I can see how it could be though, if it's leaving you unsatisfied.
I've been weighing in every day, but haven't been putting it in here. I've been in the 274-276 range for the past few days, but I'm trying to focus on something OTHER than the number. I've been 50-50 on not having it in there, I probably should.
Erin, you're right - I haven't been including my food log either. I really need to start doing that too.
I understand the food addiction thing (in fact, every time I hit a certain spot on the highway on my way home, I think about a fast food restaurant and how much I want it, but usually I ignore it). And I am soo glad that you're dealing with it. So, Random question: Have you thought about bringing a food that you really don't like as your driving snack? Would that kinda kick your brain out of the "driving, must eat" mentality? I have absolutely no idea if that would work at all for anyone, but of course my brain had to throw it out there.
I do find it interesting though. Have you read "Mindless Eating?" I cannot for the life of me remember who it is by, but it's an interesting look at how eating without focusing tends to lead to overeating and addiction.
Okay. Stopping with the advice thing. I like your psychoanalytical look at yourself. And I'm glad you're attacking it head-on and developing strategies around it.
I know exactly what you mean about eating too fast. My girlfriend yells at me constantly when we're out to dinner because I literally shovel the food in. Then I end up overeating because my body doesn't have time to process the "full" signal from my stomach to my brain. Slowing down definitely helped me in the beginning of this, and I'm going to start focusing on it again. Thanks, Rob :)
I also am a fast eater. I have to work to eat slowly, which Weight Watchers helped me with. The other thing is, I have found that eating in the car, when I am not focused on my food, leaves me unsatisfied. Sitting down, even if it means having to wait to eat, rather than eating in the car, gives me a sense of control over my food, and it helps me to really enjoy it, focus on it & be satisfied.
Im wondering why do you feel the need to eat everytime youre alone (ie - the car, when erin's not around etc)? Is that something that developed in childhood as a result of something else?
Did you use food in your younger years as means of companionship? Was food withheld or used for reward?
Theres a tie to your habits and you have figure that out and replace it or else youre going to be in a never ending battle with this.
Dig deep Rob...
About the logging thing, when you did log were you logging EVERYTHING you ate?
What have you been doing to fulfill your "need" to eat in the car? Have you been doing drive-thru etc...nothing to be ashamed about if you have...being honest about it, will give you another sense of accountability when you go to do it again...
I've always been a slow eater, probably cause I'm super-chatty. So here's living proof that a slow eater can turn into a GBFG (great big fat girl.) So, yes, make the change, see if it helps, but you still have to control everything else: emotional eating, boredom eating, portion control, good choices, etc.
Looks like you've got a plan, Tuck. Now stick to it and see where it takes you.
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