Are you an "AutoPilot Eater"?

Okay for us that had WLS, we can't identify it supersize anymore, but read through the whole thing. Making small moderations to our eating habits and changing them for good is what we can connect with.
Sometimes our old eating habits creep right back in when we aren't looking.-Debbiejean

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Do something Friday Posted: 09 Apr 2010 04:00 AM PDT Habits are interesting things. On one hands, they are the skills that allow us to get a lot of things done and free up brain space for other activities (think parking your car at work in the same place every day and so you can walk out to it without wondering where you left it). And other times, our habits keep us chained in situations we no longer want to be in (I am specifically talking about eating habit -- go figure :) The key to having habits work for you is to once in a while take an objective look at what you do on autopilot. Example: walking into the fast food restaurant and ordering a double or large anything. If you are looking to lose weight, this might not be a helpful habit. What if you chose the kid's meal? Small cheeseburger, small fry, small drink. Would that be enough food to move you from hungry to no longer hungry? Quite possibly. Would it make you FULL? Probably not -- but do you want to be FULL on fast food? And last question -- are you going to save some calories with a kids meal compared to what you normally order? Absolutely! Okay -- now your coffee drink. Do you really need all of the size you currently order? Could you enjoy the next size smaller and not feel deprived? (Now remember, I am the girl who LOVES 32 oz. fountain Cokes. There is something about the extravagance of having a ridiculous amount that makes my fountain Coke drinking a luxury because I can drink as much as I want and throw the rest away -- I don't want to drink all of the 20 oz Coke -- not the same experience.) Look at your normal breakfast -- I just had a genius client tell me she realized she was fine eating only one piece of toast (instead of two) with her normal breakfast -- it didn't change how hungry she was throughout the day -- she just always made two pieces until she took a look at the behavior and realized it was modifiable. I am not saying you have to do any of these things. I am asking you to take a look at a couple eating behaviors you do on autopilot and see if there are any changes you can make to them so you can save a few bites (or gulps) here and a few there.

Debbie:
I found this article very helpful.   We all modify our eating habits in the beginning of our WLS journey, and I think as we strive to maintain, the old habits start creeping back in - at least they did for me.   What a revelation to know we can make small adjustments to our eating patterns and it will make a BIG difference....going to give this a try because I know in my heart I am eating too large portions and having snacks that are not especially WL friendly. 

Thanks for your daily inspirations!
Pat

Hugs Pat...I'm right there with you. Dang old eating habits, they slowly creep into our lifestyle changes when we least expect it.
Staying on top of it is a plus.
We just have to be "mindful eaters"...not autopilot eaters.

Hi Debbie....yes...little by litttle the portions get bigger....time to turn this car around!!

Hugs....conie d

Amen sister!
It's back to mindful eating, portion control...and of course protein first.
I'm detoxing my body right now of bad sugars and carbs, I feel great and right now I'm taking off for a 3 mile walk during my break/lunch hour combined!

Thanks for this post. Just what I needed to hear & at the right time. Before the habit gets out of control.
Have a blessed day,
Linda

Amen!!
Getting back in control and taking charge sister!!! We are there.
You  also have a blessed day too!
Debbie

Debbie - There are days that I tend to eat more than others.  However, I use smaller plates and don't go back for 2nds.  There are more days than not that I still hve to remind myself to eat more often.  :)  Some days I struggle getting in all my calories.  But then there are days (Wednesday for example) that I just seemed to want to eat 24-7!  Yikes! 

Thanks for posting this.  Reminds me of the day hubby and I went to Tabo Bell and I ordered TWO chili-cheese burritos without even thinking.  Of course, there is NO way I could eat both of them!  But he enjoyed mine too...skinny minny that he is!

Hugs and hope to see you next Saturday!

Oh my little angel...you will see me next Saturday.
I was on the planning committee.
I'm getting everyone up and dancing!!
So don't be shy and get up and dance too!
Sending you great big hugs and see you next week my friend.