Habits and Food

When was the last time you took a look at your daily habits? The things that you don’t have to think about – you just subconsciously do them.

Like – getting up in the morning and getting in the shower, making your coffee, driving to work – my guess is a lot of these actions are just habit, right?

And any adjustments within that pattern would throw your routine off, correct?

But let’s say you decided to start meditating or doing a bible devotional before getting in the shower.

Or let’s say you decided to stop drinking coffee.

Or taking a different route to work.

You COULD make these adjustments, right? (I know a few of you are shaking your head NO at the coffee, but stay with me!)

It would take a little practice, some trial and error maybe, but you COULD learn a new routine, right?

And I bet you understand that it would take a different level of attention – being mindful of taking different actions – a whole nother level of awareness. But totally doable, right?

Guess what?! That’s the first level to stop emotionally eating.

On some level – emotional eating is just a habit. Believe it or not, your brain IS thinking when you are doing it, but subconsciously it’s become such a habit that you don’t even notice it.

I know it FEELS like you are NOT in control and that your body is just going through the motions of grazing through the pantry, grabbing a handful of candy as you walk through the office, eating the whole bag of chips.

But the REASON it has become so “easy” is because you’ve practiced doing it.

You’ve practiced checking out when you’re eating and watching TV.

You’ve practiced mindlessly snacking when you are browsing through Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

You’ve practiced standing in front of the refrigerator eating a bite of this and a handful of that.

It’s all just subconscious actions – and they are being driven by something you are thinking about.

I know a few of you are saying “nope, not me – I’m not thinking about ANYTHING when I’m snacking – I’m just bored (or stressed, or tired, or sad – you fill in the blank).

But the fact is – you ARE thinking about something.

And the thought could be something as simple as “I want to eat”.

And your willingness to stop and check in to whatever IT IS you are thinking about is ESSENTIAL to being able to stop this mindless habit.

So let’s dig a little deeper into this thought of “I want to eat”.

IF you are hungry (the tummy growling kinda hunger) – then by all means – EAT!

And stay present while you are eating so that you can stop when your body has had enough to satisfy your hunger (and that level is there WAY before you are physically full – you just need to listen for it – it sometimes comes in the form of a sigh – where you literally take a long, deep breath and let it out).

Now, let’s talk about when that thought of “I want to eat” has nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with feeling stressed, tired, bored, sad, etc.

When you are TELLING yourself (even subconsciously) “I want to eat” – what do you think your action is going to be? Especially when your habit is so practiced?

So how do you stop doing this? You first acknowledge your thoughts and understand how they (with the action of eating) have become a habit.

Then you commit to a new habit – and being willing to practice, learn, and grow.

And just like your new habit of doing a meditation or devotional before showering, quitting coffee (even for just a few weeks), and driving a different path to work…this new habit will require your awareness, commitment, and practice.

But it’s totally doable!

And while we are on the topic of doable – those feelings of stress, fear, boredom, sadness, and exhaustion are totally doable too – it’s just gonna take some practice.