BLTs
The holidays are approaching, and it is time to talk about BLTs. Yes, that’s right; bites, tastes and licks. For many people the looming holiday means company and with company comes more time spent in the kitchen doing things like baking, chopping, preparing and serving. How irresponsible to NOT have a bite of stuffing to make sure all of the savory flavors married correctly. Why not lick the batter from the spatula? It was going to be washed down the sink anyway! And how can you turn down a taste of cinnamon- sugar sprinkled left over pie crust scrap straight out of the oven? These spontaneous decisions happen in the moment and largely go untracked, meaning these ‘invisible’ calories can quickly add up and sabotage any weight-loss efforts. It is tempting to minimize the amount we consume in our minds, which only leads to confusion when clothes get tight and then helpless, out of control feelings creep in which lead to a sense of powerlessness. Let’s talk about how to take ownership.
How can we manage the upcoming temptations? Have a plan. Maybe it starts with being mindful and paying attention to when and why you are putting something to your lips. Notice how often it happens. Next, you may want to plan snacks. Focus on high protein foods and decide ahead of time the amount and times you will consume them. Also, consider constructing boundaries regarding behavior such as, for example, no eating directly from containers the food comes from. Have some gum or mints handy and drink plenty of water. Sometimes it is easy to confuse thirst with hunger. Finally, track them. Make an effort to record every blt no matter how small the amount.
Hopefully now you have some tools to combat mindless consumption of calories this season. The added stress of family can surely cause one to seek comfort in food if we are not careful. Get out of the kitchen for a while. Take a walk, pet a cute animal or hold small baby who is not crying. Manage your stress level in healthy ways and as you have an increased awareness of your actions you move into a healthier space and take ownership of your own life choices and that is a powerful feeling. You build self-esteem only when you are proud of yourself. So, make you proud of yourself this season.
Get well, stay well.
