VSG Maintenance Group
"I deserve this because . . . "
How many of us recognize ourselves in this thinking"
"I deserve to eat this ice cream because . . ."
- I followed my eating plan strictly today and need a reward
- I had a lousy day at work and need just a little "me" comfort
- my husband has been crabbing at me about what I eat and brings cookies in the house so I will show him who is in charge of what I eat
- my dog threw up on the carpet and I had to clean it up
- Everyone else was eating lots of the ice cream so I should have just a little
- tomorrow I am going to hit the gym hard so this will inspire me to work harder
- I have lost over 100 lbs and this is part of transitioning to "normal" eating
- I hate my skinny sister in law and she eats gobs of it and I am gonna eat some too
- I eat, therefore I am
- its there so it needs to be eaten before it goes bad
- One little bite won't hurt anything
- I am stressed out and need to relax
- Its National Eat Ice Cream Day
- i need to regain a pound or two because my husband thinks I'm too thin
- There needs to be more peace and harmony in the world
These rationalizations go on and on. Actually we should think of them as "irrationalizations" because in fact they are all not good reasons for eating off program.
So maybe next time you find yourself thinking "I deserve to eat this because . . . " , try instead thinking "I deserve to have good heath and weight loss success because I am worthy of it so I really don't need this food item and I will look for some healthy protein instead because I deserve it." And also remind yourself that stress or bad behavior of other people or even unfortunate coincidences are not resolved by eating and the only person punished or injured is you if you eat for these reasons.
Yeah, its all easier said than done and I have eating things I shouldn't for even more ridiculous reasons but am working to reverse this thinking. Who else has played the "irrationalization" game?
Diane
"I deserve to eat this ice cream because . . ."
- I followed my eating plan strictly today and need a reward
- I had a lousy day at work and need just a little "me" comfort
- my husband has been crabbing at me about what I eat and brings cookies in the house so I will show him who is in charge of what I eat
- my dog threw up on the carpet and I had to clean it up
- Everyone else was eating lots of the ice cream so I should have just a little
- tomorrow I am going to hit the gym hard so this will inspire me to work harder
- I have lost over 100 lbs and this is part of transitioning to "normal" eating
- I hate my skinny sister in law and she eats gobs of it and I am gonna eat some too
- I eat, therefore I am
- its there so it needs to be eaten before it goes bad
- One little bite won't hurt anything
- I am stressed out and need to relax
- Its National Eat Ice Cream Day
- i need to regain a pound or two because my husband thinks I'm too thin
- There needs to be more peace and harmony in the world
These rationalizations go on and on. Actually we should think of them as "irrationalizations" because in fact they are all not good reasons for eating off program.
So maybe next time you find yourself thinking "I deserve to eat this because . . . " , try instead thinking "I deserve to have good heath and weight loss success because I am worthy of it so I really don't need this food item and I will look for some healthy protein instead because I deserve it." And also remind yourself that stress or bad behavior of other people or even unfortunate coincidences are not resolved by eating and the only person punished or injured is you if you eat for these reasons.
Yeah, its all easier said than done and I have eating things I shouldn't for even more ridiculous reasons but am working to reverse this thinking. Who else has played the "irrationalization" game?
Diane
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Love this post Diane!!!
I've been battling the "I deserve this because my Husband lost his job....
"I deserve this because I had a stressful day....
"I deserve this because I have a house guest....
So far so good...trying to bring my best weapons to the fight!
I've been battling the "I deserve this because my Husband lost his job....
"I deserve this because I had a stressful day....
"I deserve this because I have a house guest....
So far so good...trying to bring my best weapons to the fight!
Age 49 Height 5'5" HW/280 SW/250 CW/157
Behind every success is effort...Behind every effort is passion...Behind every passion is someone with the courage to try.
Behind every success is effort...Behind every effort is passion...Behind every passion is someone with the courage to try.
What I try to tell people is there is no such thing as "deserve" when it comes to eating. Just banish the word from your food vocabulary.
HW - 225 SW - 191 GW - 132 CW - 122
Visit my blog at Fatty Fights Back Become a Fan on Facebook!
Starting BMI 40-ish or less? Join the LightWeights
Ah yes. I've made these excuses and more in my lifetime. Funny how I recognize them in other people now, but didn't recognize it in myself when I needed to.
Wanda
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Some people might not support my WLS decision.
Those people remind me of slinkys. Not good for much but it would would bring a smile to my face if someone pushed them down the stairs.
Ticker includes Pre-op weight loss 24 lb.
Diane -
This is a fantastic post and list! Very thoughtful!
One way I sometimes reframe this is "I love myself, and I love myself too much to let me return to those bad eating habits." This has been really useful lately, as I'm surrounded by cupcake-stuffing coworkers (which isn't new) while still trying to increase my caloric intake (which is new). Helps to keep me focused on still eating the right kinds of foods.
This is a fantastic post and list! Very thoughtful!
One way I sometimes reframe this is "I love myself, and I love myself too much to let me return to those bad eating habits." This has been really useful lately, as I'm surrounded by cupcake-stuffing coworkers (which isn't new) while still trying to increase my caloric intake (which is new). Helps to keep me focused on still eating the right kinds of foods.
Heaviest weight: 310 pounds (Male, 5'10")
SW - 234.5 GW - 140.5 Met Goal on 5/7/12
