When creating rules, always make sure the rules you create benefit your goals.
Nutritional landmines pop up everywhere. We share living and work space. So, how do we manage temptation or get back on track when we realize we’ve had a bit of creep with our choices?
Rules, guidelines, and/or parameters can help – they give structure and support for goals when we’re in a difficult situation.
I started out on my keto journey with “I only have sugar on Sundays.” That got me through until I realized I felt better without sugar, so I no longer wanted it. Today that rule is applied to anything that tempts me or that doesn’t quite fit in my daily plan. I limit it to a serving on Sunday if I want it.
If we can’t eliminate it from our environment, use barriers to “no-go” or “only sometimes” foods. It can live in an opaque container not at my eye level or in a cupboard that I do not open. Perhaps it lives in a storage area away from the kitchen. In work situations, I don’t take free food. If it ever is friendly to my plan, I’ll reconsider. My “No Free Food” rule means I don’t have to think about it, so I don’t end up with decision fatigue.
Now and again, I get it in my mind that I’ll be stronger this time. Ever felt that way? We can have a little, or because we’re feeling really good, we can be around it and feel no temptation. “I’ve got this!” That could well be true. However, a safety harness is still a great idea. That may be an accountability partner with whom you talk before and report back to after. Maybe there can be very limited exposure to it. Or you may create an alternative option strong enough so you can drag yourself kicking and screaming away from temptation. Accountability works best for me. How about you?
Plan ahead. Prepare for a situation. Talk it through considering different options for the different scenarios. Just like food plans, planning for confronting temptation is more than a good idea. It’s part of your goal execution.
Renée Jones is a counselor and coach specializing in overcoming emotional eating. After 40 years on the Diet Yo-Yo, she struggled to find what worked for her while emotional eating sabotaged every attempt. When she finally overcame that emotional eating to lose her weight, maintenance on a low-fat diet left her tired, hungry, and cranky. In April of 2015, she found the ketogenic lifestyle and later Carrie Brown’s recipes, which freed her from the Diet Yo-Yo and dark mood swings.
Now she helps others get free of their emotional eating and other baggage so their hearts can heal along with their bodies. She has a Master’s degree in Counseling with certifications in both traditional and contemporary models as well as Horse-Assisted and relaxation methods. She has an international counseling and coaching practice.
Author of What’s Really Eating You: Overcome the Triggers of Comfort Eating
Connect with Renée!
www.packyourownbag.com
