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Lexie struggles with her weight but is learning how to trust her body again with Am I Hungry?
Posted on 01/10/2007 @ 3:57 PM
I woke up this morning when my cousin called to invite me over. I was VERY hungry. Only on the weekends do I feel hungry when I first wake up. I guess because I usually sleep in on weekends and therefore I've gone longer without eating. I made plans with Amy to stop for lunch at a buffet. I was a little nervous about eating at a buffet. It's not that I'm too tempted by all the food, it's that I want to "get my money's worth". So I reminded myself that getting enough food to satisfy my hunger IS getting my money's worth. When I eat more than that I've wasted food and money plus I feel miserable. While I was waiting for my cousin to get to my house I took out my "Am I Hungry" book and started highlighting things. This is the fourth time I've read it and every time it helps me a little bit more. I wanted to share it with my cousin too.
We got to the restraunt and I excused myself to go to the bathroom. There I took a deep breath and thought about where I wanted to be on the scale when I finished eating. I already knew I was too hungry and was at greater risk for over-eating. I also know that when my cousin and I go out to eat we usually way over-do it. It's been a part of our friendship...to indulge together and then complain about our extra weight. I decided I wanted to be between "satisfied" and "full" when I was finished eating. I decided I would only choose the foods I REALLY wanted and eat only what tasted wonderful.
The first thing I did was walk around the entire buffet to see what was available. Then I asked what I wanted. I did not ask what I needed. I passed by some of my "regular" items and chose some things I'd never tried before. Then I chose some of my favorites. I took one spoonful of each item I wanted to try.
I sat down and started eating. What tasted wonderful I ate and what didn't taste wonderful I left on my plate. My cousin and her kids got up to get more food. I sat quietly, breathing. At that point I knew I wanted more food. I also knew I was not hungry. I was not full. I thought the best choice was to stop.....but I didn't want to stop. I decided I would get a little more.
I went back up and chose a couple more items including apple pie with ice cream. When I sat back down again I realized the only thing I really wanted was the pie and ice cream. So that's what I ate. I felt a little bad for throwing the food away but it was too late....it was better to throw it away than to eat it. Lesson learned....take a little more time to decide if I REALLY want more.
When we left I felt between satisfied and full. I was not miserable or sick, as I often have been in the past while eating with Amy. The food was wonderful and I felt in charge. I also got to demonstrate some of what I am learning.
When we got back to my cousin's house her daughter wanted me to teach her some cheers because she wants to be a cheerleader. An opportunity for fun exercise! I taught her my school song from years ago while my cousin sat miserably full on the couch.
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