The Magic Mantra for no cheating

[chinadoll]

It seems like there is always a rash of threads from folks who keep cheating and can't stop themselves. That momentary high of biting into that doughnut or cookie or nachos seems to wipe the long term goals right out of their consciousness. I know, I have done it myself. Sometimes it is just that fact that we DON'T REALLY THINK before we take that first bite--we react to the anticipation of pleasure, and the involuntary response of our salivary glands. In that sense we are like those lab rats that will keep pushing a lever for narcotics until they finally OD. Do what feels good right now.

So, over the years I have seen some great one liners that have stuck in my head when I have gone to the fridge. I am hoping one of these will stick in the heads of those having a hard time remembering the big picture; the pot of gold at the end of this long steep rainbow.

I changed my sig line today because I don't really notice it anymore and I want to be consciously thinking of these things every day.

Here are some of the ones that stuck for me...

Is eating this worth how it will make me feel tomorrow?

Nothing tastes as good as thin feels. (This is the first and best one I saw and still rings true- thanks Brooke)

This isn't the last time in my life I will ever have the chance to taste this food, so I can wait for it. It'll be there and right now my body and I don't need it.

There is no such thing as just one bite. Would an alcoholic say it's OK for "just one sip?"

Every bite of sugar and flour will give me less time with my children and grandchildren. Is it worth losing that time?

How about some others? What works for you? I post them on the fridge, and it is a big fridge so I have room for lots more motivation!

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Great topic, Jill!

When I catch myself with my head in the refrigerator, I think, "Do I really need this?"

Sometimes I am really hungry and I DO need to eat something. But most times I have to be honest and say, "No, I don't really need it." So I go get busy with something else.

Other times when I think I want something, I have started having a cup of tea or decaffeinated coffee with cream. I tell myself I'll wait 15 minutes, and if I'm still hungry then, I will eat a snack.

9 times out of 10, I forget about eating after the 15 minutes is up. If I am still hungry, I have a nice, healthy snack.

Like you said, the whole thing is THINKING IT THROUGH!

[chinadoll]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Yep, the universal question of "Do I NEED it, or do I just WANT it?" is the real issue, isn't it?

I do the same. Chug 8 ounces of water, make a hot drink (seems to fill you more), and wait 15 minutes to see if I have forgotten about it. If not, then repeat. If I still want something the third time through, I eat.

Seems like life has become instant gratification only. And look where it has gotten us. There is something to be said for the waiting and working at things-- you value them more. You reflect a little more. It is character building and gives you an inner strength, which serves you better the next time. Whether it is a snack or saving for a down payment on a house, the lesson is the same. Perseverance, perspiration, patience, planning.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Seems like life has become instant gratification only. And look where it has gotten us. There is something to be said for the waiting and working at things-- you value them more. You reflect a little more. It is character building and gives you an inner strength, which serves you better the next time. Whether it is a snack or saving for a down payment on a house, the lesson is the same. Perseverance, perspiration, patience, planning.

Jill, that is the best explanation for the behavior that got me fat that I've ever seen.

I also had to learn the hard way about saving for things I want instead of using easy credit.

[planetclaire]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

I don't have a mantra but I always remind myself that the food will be there later. I have done pretty well with no cheating - or at least, tiny cheats that didn't send me past the point of no return - and I feel so good about that, that feeling of being in control and being strong and healthy...its the best feeling!

Failing all that....I take a look at my butt in the mirror...works every time

[Kawispice]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Food addiction seems to fade when I don't eat it for a while, so it is just a short time I have to say no to that doughnut. I also find that the days I exercise I am less hungry. Same with sleep. If I get proper sleep the night before I am lesss hungry the next day.

When everything fails, I use a technique that is used by psychologists to break severe PTSD quickly. It is very powerful, and was used on the victims of 7/11 at the base of the Twin Towers in NY. One can use it to either break a negative reaction or establish a positive one. It is called EMDR.

I visualize how I want my body to behave, exactly what I want to do and use the EMDR technique to entrench the idea into my mind. Olympic athletes use this technique too, to visualize themselves execute the activity perfectly. Before I go to sleep I visualize exactly everything I am going to eat the next day, in great detail, while listening to biolateral music. The next day I act as I have visualized it the night before invariably.

I like EMDR because it gives me total control over myself.

[too big]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Thank you Jill, Joe

[chinadoll]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Laurie, nothing like a visual.

Kawispice, never tried this but what a positive way to go to sleep each night. You wake up ahead of the game.

Joe- you're welcome

[emmie30]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Hi all, in England we teach our kids the "green cross code" for crossing the road. Its Stop, Look, Listen! I adapted this to my "WOE code" -Stop, Look, Dont listen.

Stop,- dont just grab it and stuff it down.

Look,- look at it, really look at all the grease or sugar.

Dont listen- to that little voice that says "its ok you have been so good, you deserve a treat, one bite wont hurt" we have all heard it.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

Emmie, I love the Stop, Look and Listen caution!

We have that here, too... or at least did when I was in school YEARS ago. But I had long since forgotten it.

Now I'll use it again!

[Danni28]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

I been on Atkins plan coming up two months now.I have counted every single carb,write down everything, drink all my water,no sweetners....not cheated once, i no it just is not worth it. I feel so much more confident even with nearly a stone off,healthier,fitter...all that high carb food could never make me feel the way i feel now;on top of the world...really great.

I did do the plan once before last year half hearted...this time i did it to the book,been super strict with myself and never had one craving...dabbling in sweetner and cream does not work for me.

Thanks
Danielle

[vek]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

What I do it's so funny, that I'm afraid you might laugh.
Knowing I'm using the hands opening the fridge...I'm drawing a plane with a marker on my right hand. The plane means to me the trip I'll take to Europe next month and I want to have a healthy size for my trip. Right now I'm overweight. So, when I see that little plane on my hand, I remember I have to stop touching nasty foods with it...

[Fizgig]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

I change the mental conversation from "I can't have it" to "I choose not to have it". That puts me more in control and makes me feel powerful instead of shackled. I also compare a doughnut, or whatever it is, to a plateful of roasted lamb with pureed cauliflower and asparagus dipped in mayo.... Yeah, it's no contest which I'd rather have!

My BF and I are massive foodies and he had, at first, a hard time adjusting to this plan. He still doesn't quite get how it works, and asks me all the time "can you have this?". The answer is either game on, or "I choose not to". I don't like saying can't.

[planetclaire]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

I change the mental conversation from "I can't have it" to "I choose not to have it". That puts me more in control and makes me feel powerful instead of shackled. I also compare a doughnut, or whatever it is, to a plateful of roasted lamb with pureed cauliflower and asparagus dipped in mayo.... Yeah, it's no contest which I'd rather have!

My BF and I are massive foodies and he had, at first, a hard time adjusting to this plan. He still doesn't quite get how it works, and asks me all the time "can you have this?". The answer is either game on, or "I choose not to". I don't like saying can't.

That is really brilliant! You go from being a victim when you can't have something, to being in control when you choose not to. I like it.

[Sunny_0ne]

Re: The Magic Mantra for no cheating

I change the mental conversation from "I can't have it" to "I choose not to have it". That puts me more in control and makes me feel powerful instead of shackled.

Wonderful perspective!