Whenever someone starts a weight loss program, one of the first tidbits of advice they are given is:
“Clean out your cabinets and refrigerator because you can’t have any junk food in your house because the temptation will be too great to overcome.â€
In fact, I’ve even blogged about this myself.
However, the tide is shifting in approach and thought. It is possible for you to learn to avoid temptation and learn moderation by having a wide variety of food in your pantry and kitchen.
Can you have all different types of food in your house and show moderation?
For example when you have potato chips in your house, are you more likely to consume an entire bag of chips or use portion control or even Just Say No?
New research from the Journal of Consumer Research is pointing to a better way.
Learn self-control, and you’re more likely to avoid overeating.
The concept is that if you remember when you were able to not overeat, that very act of remembering how you felt, and the positive emotions it triggers; higher self-esteem and higher self-confidence, should enable you to avoid temptation in subsequent situations.
Although it’s a behavioral modification technique, it has the power to influence your mind.
In 10 ways to avoid Binge Eating, I talked about the guilt I’ve felt after overeating.
And this is what I learned:
Guilt and shame are extremely important drivers in how people conduct their lives.
These emotions literally eat away at you, no pun intended.
I remember those feelings of guilt, but more importantly, I remember the self-confidence and heightened self-esteem I felt when I was able to Just Say No.
I remember how I felt leaving the grocery store and NOT buying the Buy one, Get one free chocolate bars that were on sale.
I remember going to a party and NOT eating 2 pieces of cake, but 1 small one, smiling on my way out the door.
I remember the feeling of satisfaction passing by Burger King and not buying a Whopper.
Self-control is a marvelous invention. It’s based on men and women’s reason and ability to effect decisions that are in his or her best interests.
Was I able to avoid temptation every time?
Of course not, men and women are imperfect beings.
But, over time, I was able to Just Say No more often. And each time I was able to do that, my self-confidence grew.
It takes time, but it can be done. Do I still occasionally overeat?
Of course, I’m human, but those times are now few and far between.
What about you? Do you think you can learn self-control? Can you Just Say No?
I bet you can, just use the power of your mind, because
After all, it’s about a healthy lifestyle!