Man I ate over Christmas. I mean really ate. I think I ate about $45 worth of Chocolate myself and at least $20 worth of Potato Chips on top of it. Even though I “Lemon Fasted” the weight off so I am now break-even (with Pre-Christmas) – I really justified to myself that it is “Okay” to overeat. Normally, I don’t overeat to this extreme – however, psychologically I made up a great “Story” to tell myself to justify my behaviour. That is, I said to myself:
– Well, it’s my parents so it’s okay.
– It’s only 1 time a year.
– It’s Christmas and you are meant to over eat.
– I will lose it after Christmas.
The thing that I learned is that many people who put on weight over Christmas, don’t end up losing it. That is, even though one may come up with a “Story” giving them “Permission” to overeat, they often don’t lose it. And unfortunately, life then gets in the way. That is, I have made up great “Stories” such as:
– [Wifes Birthday] – It’s a celebration so I will lose it tomorrow.
– [Easter] – It’s Easter and you are meant to eat lots of Easter Eggs.
– [Weekends] – Well, I worked all week – so I deserve a break.
– [Ed’s Birthday] – Well, come on?
And So On.
These are some of the stories I have told myself previously and after speaking to lots of people – I have seen very similar “Stories” come up.
Another word for these “Stories” is actually “Excuses” or put more elegantly – “Reasons”.
This Christmas, I actually did much better than previously. Still – not happy with my performance, but it’s okay. When I brought “Conscious” attention to the “Subconscious” reasons I was giving myself to indulge – I really had a close think as to why I am coming up with these reasons to begin with.
Overeating…….
It relaxed me and calmed me. But, addictions always have some type of “Short Term Payoff”. I totally understand why people with addictions can say:
– I can quit anytime I want.
It’s a great “Excuse” “Reason” to justify a something that delivers a “Short-Term” payoff, with heavy consequences.
2 Responses
hi ed, you should be relaxed about fat! it’s totally fine.
No way Bibi! I actually left this comment 2 years later and I am so not a fatso now and it’s great!