Lying to yourself

Weight loss is, at it's core, really about changing beliefs. Let's examine some beliefs about food.

1. Celebrations wouldn't be the same without cake (or cookies or doughnuts, or pizza, or .....)

2. Eating when I am stressed calms me down.

3. Eating when I am bored makes me less bored.

Really?? Are these beliefs really true for you???

Let's talk about weddings, graduations, births and birthdays, homecomings, and holidays. Is it really the food that is the center of the event? OR is it that you are surrounded by family and friends who are there to share your good fortune? Yes, we bond over food -- that is part of our nature -- but is it the food we are after OR the connection to others?

Stress -- we all have it. Does eating really calm you down? OR does it just give you a momentary distraction to get your mind away from the thoughts that are stressing you? If you did something else (watched TV -- without snacks, called a friend to talk or vent, went for a walk, journaled, ...) would it work just as well (or better)?

Boredom -- Again, is eating just a distraction from the situation you are faced with? Is being entertained by food how you want to live your life? Does eating change the root cause of your boredom?

Until you are ready to face the real reasons you eat -- the core beliefs you hold about food and how you use it -- lasting weight loss will be a struggle.

Don't lie to yourself. Don't accept the thoughtless easy answers. Give it good hard thought. Don't accept the idea that because this is the way it has always been life should continue along this path forever. Give your beliefs about food the inspection they deserve -- get to the heart of your beliefs. Perhaps it is time for a change.