Fun

Recreational Eating

Let's face it, eating is fun.  It's a recreational activity.  Forget triggers, forget stress-related eating, forget hunger.  Sometimes it's just fun to eat a food for the momentary enjoyment we reap.  A certain taste or texture in our mouths can relax us.  Maybe it reminds us of a happy, carefree, comforting time in our lives.

The problem with any recreational activity is that it's often hard to know our limits.  My Lab would chase a ball till he dropped in his tracks.  I've been known to eat candy till I can't see straight (literally).  You've been known to eat a bag of chips in one sitting, and then realize how awful you feel five minutes after the bag is empty.  And then there are those margaritas.....SO good that we suck them down way too fast, one after the other, until....well, you know the rest!

Because time is so precious to us, we tend to look at recreation time as restraint-free moments when we must cram in as much as we can, lest we never get another opportunity.  You probably do the same thing with your recreational eating.  One day you might only have 15 minutes to eat those cookies....so you bolt them!  Another day you have all afternoon to watch movies, so you keep a slow but steady stream of popcorn flowing.  The bottom line:  eating is not a good form of recreation.  Whether you do it fast or slowly, it'll make you fat.

More fun than eating

Look elsewhere for your fun.  If you need something in your mouth, chew gum.  Floss your teeth.  Drink water.  Stand up and do some stretches or butt squeezes.  Enjoy the present moment. Take some deep breaths.  Better yet, take your dog for a walk.  How many ways can you have fun without eating?  Make a list...and have lots of paper.