Dieting and Breaking Bad Habits

Last night I pondered the frustrating dieting cycle I follow and thought about some of my new blog mates Lisa Quits and Reformed Smoker. They've stayed true to their goal to kick the smoking habit. I've often said that's easier to quit smoking because you can just not buy cigarettes and remove the temptation from your life...but really the more I think about it, kicking unhealthy habits is not easy if we think they make us feel good.

There in lies the problem...I use food often to feel good. Just like a smoker lights up...I go grab a cookie...or whatever. As I thought about this, I realized I've developed habits. I have this monster project I'm working on and it stresses me out. I'd rather clean house than get started on it for some reason. If you knew me, you'd understand that means I don't want to start. It's kind of like a big homework assignment that counts for a third of your grade. The funny thing is, once I get moving on it I don't mind it. It's a mind game. But since I don't really want to work writing summaries, plowing through the project is so much easier if I add eating to the writing process. Combine something you want to do with something you'd rather not do...and over time I developed a habit. The snacking, grazing habit. And once I go off the deep end and eat too much or the wrong foods, my brain tells me, "What's the difference if you eat another three cookies now? You can always start again tomorrow."

Today I woke with a new plan. To break the habit. As I write this, it's an hour until lunch time and I am a little hungry, but I made it through the morning without my 10:30 snack which some days blends with lunch time. I though of how smokers are told to get up from the table if they think about a cigarette after dinner, so when I started thinking of snacking, I got up from the computer and did other things like water the plants, make the bed and get this--I did three push ups! Meek as they were--girly push ups and all, I did them.

Anyhow, a big thanks to all of you and your support for me in this ongoing endeavor. Roberta, Vernie, RS, Lisa and Heather, I'm dubbing you my official cheering section. It's working so I hope you don't lose your voices.

Since this post has gone lone, I just have to tell you that my hubby found some broccoli plants at a nursery near his work yesterday, so I'll have broccoli after all. We can talk more about that tomorrow.