New tips for stress-free life

Here are five simple ways to reward yourself and lose Weight

If you observe the eating habits of people (including you) you will find most of us eat, not only for nourishment, but for a variety of emotional reasons. Emotions like sadness, fatigue, nervousness, boredom or stress may result into an overdose of eating. Another reason people eat is for the reward. I’ve had a bad day and now I deserve that ice cream, pudding, etc. While the optimal solution would be to retrain your mind to think of food as only nourishment, it is not a practical one.

Here are some simple steps, that taken together or individually, will allow you to indulge in your emotions without adding to your waistlines.

1. Be aware of your weakness and control portions. Some of us favor sweets, others comfort food and still others are major meat eaters. Try to find your preference and whatever it is, cut your normal portion in half. Keep the number of portions the same, one small bar of candy instead of one large bar. Same quantity, less size.

2. Have a hot drink with a sweet. Having a warm cup of tea or decaf coffee is relaxing itself. Take your sweet with a warm drink and enjoy the feeling of relaxation. This will also help in controlling the number of snacks eaten.

3. Go outside for indulging. Don’t keep snack food in the house. If you really want that donut, ice cream, etc., go to the shop and buy one serving. This helps to stop the reflexive hand- to- mouth action of immediate gratification. If you really want that treat and are willing to stop what you are doing to go and get it, then”Go for it.”

4. Setting a specific place and time for rewards will help you much. Don’t eat in front of the TV. Don’t grab your snacks on the run. Find a quiet place at a time of day when you can savor your treat. If you are going to choose those calories, make it worthwhile.

5. Don’t impose any restrictions on it. Tell yourself that you can have it. Focus on what you cannot have is self-defeating.

There are times when we can’t help but overindulge. For example, during the holidays, you are surrounded by delicious goodies everywhere you turn. In such a scenario, if you overindulge, you are not alone. My advice is to move on and stay guilt free. Guilt will only leads to such emotions as sadness, self-loathing, anger, fatigue and stress leading us back to where we began - emotional eating. When you follow one or more of these advises please keep in mind that a reward is something that we give to ourselves because we feel that we deserve it or have earned it. It should not be considered as a habit.