Maybe you can relate to this –after yet another rough day and feeling really tense, you want something to ‘take the edge off’. So, reaching for that bottle of wine (or some other drink) seems like a quick fix, then one glass turns into 2 or 3, along with some nibbles, and before you know it – you’ve just consumed the entire next day’s calorie intake. During my first stress issue, that scenario was me on a Friday night – I figured that since the stress had made me fat in the first place, it didn’t matter anymore. Hmm, well it did.
Is there a better alternative? Absolutely!
There are many other things that could be done – like going for a walk; catching up with a friend; having a nice relaxing bath; sinking into a comfy chair with a book and cup of chamomile tea; finding something really funny to watch; or just put on some of your favourite music and let your mind wander off to a nice place.
Even now there are some times when I’m at my desk and motivation for a particular task is low, and it seems that the fridge and pantry cupboard are calling me. I would go, stare inside, but there is nothing ‘bad’ in there! Quite simply – if you don’t have it in the home, then you can’t consume it.
These questions are helpful – “am I really hungry?, or “is this an emotional reaction?” and “what else can I do instead?”