Sunday, June 26, 2011

I Am a Compulsive Overeater

Being sick and coughing my head off for 2.5 months has tried my patience (Lord, please let me never suffer a long-term illness... I just don't do it very well). I've had no trouble remaining abstinent on my binge foods, no trouble at all with that.

However, I see that I'm still a compulsive overeater. For example, we bought TWO giant bags of brown rice/black bean chips at Costco about a weeks ago. Yummy, crisp, not entirely unhealthy... at least they have some fiber and lower fat/sodium than most chips. The first opened bag sits on the counter by our stove, the top rolled down and clipped with a close pin.

Not at mealtime, but between lunch and dinner, the "fever" hits me. I go to the kitchen and scan the shelves and the refrigerator. Eyes light on chips. Ah-ha, just what I need. Unroll the top, grab a handful, put them on the stove, close up the bag, and munch those yummy little morsels one at a time.

Ummmmm, those were good... think I need some more. Repeat steps x - y above, another handful on the stove. Close bag and munch.

Ummmmmm, those were really yummy... yep, more would be good and I do deserve them after all I've been through. Yet another handful on the stove. Close bag and munch.

Ooooops. Alarm bell goes off. This is compulsive overeating! I don't DO compulsive overeating anymore. I really don't. STOP! Hold it! No more. I quit.

Next day, same scenario... same bag of chips. Same repeating pattern. Once again the third handful awakened the realization of what I was doing.

Today? No chips. Right after scanning the shelves, the realization came. I fixed myself a cup of hot tea and departed the kitchen.... YAY!!!!

* * * * * * * * * *
Gratitude for today: Ron Mann's documentary staring Woody Harrelson called Go Further, which is entertaining, informative, fun and possibly life-changing in some ways for me and my husband. Also, modern drugs (I feel 5% better today), my husband (who suggested I stay home this evening rather than go to a vintage tall ship sailing event with him), cyber friends, and earth.

6 comments:

  1. Yay! So easy to fall into that habit or trap or whatever we call it.

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  2. Whew!! Caught yourself before a bad habit formed. Congratulations!

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  3. Yay, you! It's one thing to see what you're doing, but quite another to see what you're doing and stop. I think that's even less easy to do when you've been stuck with a lengthy illness. Congratulations!

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  4. You know what, PB?
    I don't even buy those things -
    Chips etc. They are like crack to me.
    Good for you to walk on by.
    I'm into broth these days.
    A little cup really satisfies!

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  5. Yay! Well done spotting the danger signs and putting on the breaks. I am proud of you.

    5% better today, if that doubles every day, you'll be doing cart wheels by the end of week :-)

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  6. Congratulations on your new step to a wholer self (this is not English, I know... but you will know what I mean) AND on feeling better. Hope the other 95% will kick in soon.

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