I've been doing really great this past month being mindful of what I eat, when I eat and how much. I didn't mean to stay up to ring in the new year. I certainly didn't mean to wolf down a ton of popcorn either, but *accidents happen*. What’s a ton you ask? Um, it’s about half the size of a Tupperware Mega Thatsa Bowl, or 16 cups.
When I woke up on new year’s morning, I felt *terrible*. Genuinely
sick; throbbing headache, nausea and honestly- if I hadn't been stone cold
sober for 4 years, I’d think I was hung over.
I felt like an after school special cautioning against binging… which I
had done, but not with alcohol. I knew immediately it was the popcorn causing such a physical reaction.
I wonder how many times I felt that way after a night of binging on food that I didn't give it another thought? Well, I certainly noticed it now. I looked and felt terrible. I think I may have been a little green.
Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will not your countenance be
lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and it’s
desire is for you, but you must master it.
How that speaks to me: I equate sin in this passage to mean the delicious Chinese food that is ridiculous inexpensive just a few streets over. There's a fantastic Gyro/Pizza/Hot dog restaurant at the end of our street, and about a block closer is the ANDYS FROZEN CUSTARD. Yeah, it sure does seem like sin is crouching at the door, with delicious pot stickers, bread sticks and other foods of joy ... they desire ME! That's why I'm being pelted with all these unhealthy food choices... So, I guess I move?
Boy, would I love to master my cravings. I do well for a week, weeks, and half a week, but then it's back to the same old thing. Usually. I have been able to stay on that wagon since around Thanksgiving, so I didn't do any of the holiday eating/snacking I would have in previous years. There's not a lot of difference in my weight, but oh, what's been happening in my mind.
Boy, would I love to master my cravings. I do well for a week, weeks, and half a week, but then it's back to the same old thing. Usually. I have been able to stay on that wagon since around Thanksgiving, so I didn't do any of the holiday eating/snacking I would have in previous years. There's not a lot of difference in my weight, but oh, what's been happening in my mind.
I finally figured out a few things about myself that comes in handy to battle cravings:
- I learned that I get hungry when I stay up too late. No, let me rephrase that- the signal my body gives me when I’m tired feels like hunger, but it isn't hunger. The problem is when I fill the ‘sleep deprived’ hole with popcorn, it never fills up, because it doesn't want food, it wants sleep. So I keep eating and eating and I’m never satisfied. I know that food and sleep aids don’t mix.
- I learned that sugar is something I can live without. *GASP*
- I have a handy tracking sheet (I don't know where I got it but I can scan it and post it here I think) that tells you "if you're craving ___ you are really wanting ___" . It's been helpful. Here's a link to it: Control Craving Link
How do you master a food craving?
**Disclaimer** There are certain things that you should see
a doctor if you are craving: pennies, paper, dirt… while not food, these are
real cravings (not yet experienced by me) that indicate that a mineral
deficiency in your body. So get that checked out.
