Posted by Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All
Do you realize just how often you eat on your feet? Most of us don’t realize it, but when we stop to count the many times we graze without thought we discover that we’ve picked up a small meal here and there without consideration.
With any reasonable diet, you’re looking at calories-in verses calories-out, whether they’re referred to as “calories” or “points” it’s just basic math. The problems that we face when it comes to this simple equation is that we either choose to ignore the small numbers in hopes that our bodies failed Math 101, or we feel cheated when it comes to meal time because we’re facing a deficit in our account. Been there? I have, but I’m waking up and pressing on, with a constant reminder that I am not a slave to the flesh.
By grouping our food into set meals, we combat a two-fold internal struggle we face:
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Join in this week's giveaway!
Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!! What is Art Bookbindery? If you aren't familiar with them, I'll fill you in. Art Bookbindery empowers writers to self publish. Actually "we" do since it's my company too. :) (Darlene)
With any reasonable diet, you’re looking at calories-in verses calories-out, whether they’re referred to as “calories” or “points” it’s just basic math. The problems that we face when it comes to this simple equation is that we either choose to ignore the small numbers in hopes that our bodies failed Math 101, or we feel cheated when it comes to meal time because we’re facing a deficit in our account. Been there? I have, but I’m waking up and pressing on, with a constant reminder that I am not a slave to the flesh.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. –Romans 8:12,13 KJVThe solution is to offer your body meals that are appealing to those over-sized eyes, yet not so appealing that we break the bank. How do we do this? We behave and we save. A good way to save is by sitting down each and every time we eat. If you feel like grabbing a cookie at 3:00 pm, then do so, but put that cookie on a plate in the kitchen for inclusion in your snack time or meal plan. Want an apple at 3:30? Fine, but do the same—put the apple beside the cookie, and wait for your designated time to sit down and eat. If you plan to have snack time, then by all means do, but whether you’re eating at 5:00 with the family, or waiting for that physical sign of hunger, you can rest knowing that the cookie and apple are waiting in the kitchen for you when the time is right. Remember, they don’t have legs—they’re not going anywhere!
By grouping our food into set meals, we combat a two-fold internal struggle we face:
- Feeling of deprivation
- The “I have a poverty stricken diet” mindset
When it’s finally mealtime, fill your plate once and sit down to eat. By placing the cookie and the apple alongside your meal, you have visual confirmation that you have enough. You may even find that you’re not hungering for that cookie anymore, and so you’ll return it to the jar.
That’s a good thing!
Once you’re sitting down, stay seated. There’s no reason that you need to run back to the kitchen for seconds. If you filled your plate well the first time, and you feel comfortably full, you’ve had enough. That second plate of food is a sure-fire way of depleting your account.
Drink a cup of tea or sip on some water for a bit while your food does its thing, then get up from the table and walk away from the food. Remember it takes about 20 minutes for the body to message the brain that it is full, but it will!
Cravings come in all colors and sizes, ladies. It might be a mink coat for one, a fancy purse for another or a fudge brownie for you. Regardless of how we slice it—our bodies are constantly combating hunger.
Just because we live with a longing for food, that doesn’t mean that our appetite has the power to control us. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us—amen? Amen!
That’s a good thing!
Once you’re sitting down, stay seated. There’s no reason that you need to run back to the kitchen for seconds. If you filled your plate well the first time, and you feel comfortably full, you’ve had enough. That second plate of food is a sure-fire way of depleting your account.
Drink a cup of tea or sip on some water for a bit while your food does its thing, then get up from the table and walk away from the food. Remember it takes about 20 minutes for the body to message the brain that it is full, but it will!
Cravings come in all colors and sizes, ladies. It might be a mink coat for one, a fancy purse for another or a fudge brownie for you. Regardless of how we slice it—our bodies are constantly combating hunger.
Just because we live with a longing for food, that doesn’t mean that our appetite has the power to control us. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us—amen? Amen!
Visit my blog, Time-Warp Wife: Empowering Wives to Joyfully Serve:
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Join in this week's giveaway!
Our sponsor, Art Bookbindery is giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate to one of our participants!!!! What is Art Bookbindery? If you aren't familiar with them, I'll fill you in. Art Bookbindery empowers writers to self publish. Actually "we" do since it's my company too. :) (Darlene)
So if there's a book you've been wanting to buy for a while--this giveaway might offer you that chance!!
We will randomly choose one winner from our list of participants that you see in the linky list below. So if you haven't put your name in there yet, then please do. If you don't have a blog, you can use www.reshapingitall.com in place of the address.
We'll announce the winner here next Monday (June 6, 2011), so get your name in with the others!
We'll announce the winner here next Monday (June 6, 2011), so get your name in with the others!
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It's so true that you can eat a lot on the go & not realize it. This is a great reminder of that.
ReplyDeleteSuch good reminders!!! I loved this post. Hope you are having a very blessed day!!!
ReplyDeleteJust what I needed today!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Soooo many people do that. I'll go in and fix them up tomorrow. :) All's good!
ReplyDeleteThis week has been rife with temptation! I admit I gave in a couple times, but I "repented" with extra time on the dreaded elliptical :-) I actually have to pray while I'm on the elliptical otherwise I'll give up after 5 minutes...but yesterday I got all the way up to 25 woohoo!
ReplyDelete