The classic example of this behaviour is a person who used to have a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. When they stop smoking, the drinking brings back cravings for the cigarettes.
Mine is a much smaller version. Whenever I write complex reports or job applications, I eat savoury biscuits.
I've been doing this since my early 20s at University. Box after box of savoury biscuits while meeting a deadline.
Now however, I'm eating healthy and exercising right and losing weight. I don't want to let go of the progress I've made this year in fat loss.
But just thinking of starting the job search has me in the kitchen scouring the cupboards for a long-forgotten pack of Pringles or "chicken in a Biscuit" or corn chips.
Given how stressed I've been for the last couple of months is this really that important? Does it matter if I consume some high carb foods while writing job apps as long as I keep up the exercise? Am I trying to control too much of my reactions right now? Will this add sttress levels I don't need?
The flip side: Shouldn't I be working on bad habits whenever I recognise them to keep myself healthy. And doesn't staying healthy equate to reducing stress.
How easy is it for me to create a storm in a tea cup ????
Thoughts, opinions?
12 comments:
Everything in moderation Mel. Don't deprive yourself of an occasional treat, but don't go overboard using the job hunting as an excuse. You'll kick yourself in the behind when all is said and done if you undo all of the gains you've made with your weight loss.
Also please all introduce yourself to http://dollery.multiply.com/.
Julie is a wonderful friend. A bright sparkling personality who nonetheless stitches TWs in her spare time and writes fanfic :)
I think she'd fit right in with this crowd ....
Yep, I agree - don't deny yourself, because that just makes it worse - but keep it in control, so you don't undo all of your great work!! A small reward only! Or turn your job app snack into something healthier - do you like/can you have popcorn without all the greasy stuff on it - air popped?
In a few years you'll reach the happy state of 'Who cares?', then you'll be like me and look back and think why did I actually stress about all that 'stuff'?
I've come to realise that all that actually matters is that I'm happy and that every one I know and care about is also happy. The rest is just so much froth! lol
So! The question is, are you happy? If you are then good, if not, why not?
I like this theme :-)
All habits can be broken, it's the choice of when and how that can make it harder.
Start eating celery and carrots instead and pretend they are you savory biscuits
Personally, I would allow myself a very small reward of the biscuits - not the whole box, but maybe one or two after a long session of filling out the apps. Sometimes it's easier to give a slight nod to something you know you technically shouldn't be doing. You can always take an extra half hour walk if you feel guilty...
I'd combine a couple of the suggestions here...
First what is it about the savory biscuits that you crave while you're working on those apps or reports? Is it the crunching sensation or the taste itself.. or just the actual action of snacking?
If it's the first or third, I'd sub celery, carrots or another crunchy vegetable for the majority of the application-writing. But set yourself a goal and allow yourself a biscuit or two (not sure of what size they are..) at the end of a section or an application. Definitely don't completely deny yourself, or the craving will just get worse and eventually you WILL overdo it with the savory biscuits.
Stitch Tempest in A Teacup whenever you crave for the biscuits. Or peel and prepare an orange before you sit down to write your applications, then, when you do want to pick up a biscuit it will be a wedge of orange instead.
OR - alternatively, since it's savoury you crave, look for some corn knäckebrot and thinly spread butter on it, sprinkled with salt. Butter, NOT margarine!!! Or simply saltened butter.
You are making yourself crazy, which is understandable and you shouldn't force yourself to do anything at all, Mel. I do think, however, that the good feeling of success with losing weight should weigh more than a few biscuits
I have lost 28lbs. I con my brain cravings by eating flavoured rice snacks.
Have to say though that the ocassional Mars bar never killed anyone and I subscribe to the school of thought that life's too short to deny yourself anything.
So long as you don't feel guilty eat what you want, exercise when you feel like it; and feel good about yourself.
Some great advice. Moderation is the key. I eat late at night. Bad habit, I know, but DH wants supper at 4:30 and by 11:00 I am very hungry. When I tried to not snack at all, my blood sugar would drop, I would get the shakes, and I had to eat. Then it would be a whole box of Cheeze-its or Wheat Thins or a can of Pringles. So I started using a little snack cup. I go out to the kitchen, fill my little cup, and put the rest of the box away. Now a box of Cheeze-its lasts me 2 to 3 weeks instead of 2 to 3 nights.
You shouldn't be blogging on here when you should be job hunting. Forget the biscuits, that's a whole different issue!
Post a Comment