I've been watching the "I Can Make You Thin" show on the TLC channel featuring Paul McKenna. Once I got over the irritating, infomerical style of the program, my ears really perked up for his message. The first show covered the 4 basics;
Eat when you are hungry
Eat what you want
Eat consciously
Stop when you are full
This sounds too easy right. Well, I've been trying it. It seems to be working.
I wait for true hunger, not emotional hunger. True hunger comes on after some time, emotional hunger is instant. I eat what I'm craving, only I've completely changed how I eat it. Eating consciously means you slow down, (really slow), eat without distractions, chewing each bite 20 times. You place your fork down between bites.
The first thing I noticed was its hard to chew oatmeal or soup 20 times. The second thing I noticed was distraction was everywhere! If the TV was off, I was still looking around for something to read, something to stare at and study. So I decided to either close my eyes or stare at my food. I can't chew oatmeal 20 times a bite, but I could hold the food in my mouth a little longer, really tasting it.
What also surprised me is it doesn't take very much food at all before you can feel full! From that very first breakfast, I was stunned I was full after eating maybe 5 or 6 bites. I could always finish an entire bowl (1/2 c) of oatmeal, but now I was asking myself, do I need to? I was full. If I get hungry again later, I'll make more oatmeal.
After a few days of feeling bad about the food I was leaving on my plate, I decided to take smaller portions to start with. I also switched to smaller bowls. I no longer eat past the point of being full because of guilt or even because if I don't, I'll be hungry later. So what. Getting hungry later will be a good thing because I can then eat something different!
Eating slower has really awakened my taste buds too. Have you tried to really keep a piece of donut in your mouth for very long? It doesn't actually taste very good after that initial sweet. Same with french fries. Chew one 20 times and you'll see what I mean.
The second program dealt with emotional eating. This is huge for me. I was eating when I was not only sad but also when I was happy! I had fooled my body into thinking feeling emotion meant eating. Finding your true hunger takes a little practice after years of eating when emotional.
Paul suggested using a tapping technique when you get stressed. Its kind of strange, but it does work. You tap your cheek, tap your collar bone, tap your cheek, tap your hand, close your eyes still tapping, look down right, look down left, circle your eyes, hum a tune and count to 5, hum again. Something is suppose to happen in your brain to relax you. Personally it just distracts me from feeling the stress.
His next show is this Sunday night at 8:00pm. I'm going to keep trying it and hope the rest of my family gives it a try too.
10 comments:
Amen to that I hear sing the abc's in your head as you chew each bite to slow yourself down...
Good Luck
Sounds interesting. My problem is portion size. I need to put less on my plate. I never thought about eating slower. Good luck!
my biggest problem is telling myself that after i eat something junk-ish that i will workout or after i work out...i "deserve " a treat....
:(
good luck with this program. sounds like it already is working for you.
So I can't sit here and read blogs while I eat breakfast? Dang!
Eating slower drive me nuts too... that would take a lot of patience. But it all does sound like good advice. I should watch the show, maybe something will motivate me.
I was going to watch this, but didn't get the chance. I did see about 30 seconds of one episode when I was putting a DVD in and, it did seem very informercially to me. Sounds like some good information though!
I have watched this too. His tips were basic and real. I need to try harder to incorporate them into my day. :) Portion size is also something I have been working on. When I cook, I also TRY to cook just enough for the meal so we don't go back for seconds. We do still have some leftovers, but not as much as we used to. So,I'm getting better at it. LOL
The chewing 20 times is something I need to work on and concentration on the food. You're right when you say you can get that full feeling within 5 or 6 bites. Makes sense too.
The tapping at the acupuncture points.......... He mentioned it was not a distraction technique, but I don't see how it's not. I mean, you are taking your focus off of what your feeling at that moment and putting your focus on something else while you're tapping. That in itself is a distraction. I haven't tried this part, so I'm only speaking on what seems to be right. :)
I'm glad it's working for you. Keep us updated.:)
Maija2........the show DOES have the infomericial feel to it, but he does have a good, basic approach to eating. :) I am trying to get passed that feeling and just see what he has to say. :)
Very interesting. I'll have to check out the show some time. I realized a while back that I shouldn't feel guilt about not finishing everything on my plate...especially when I have not served myself (particularly at a restaurant). Of course, that doesn't mean I wasn't a member of the 'clean plate club' when we had dinner Friday at Outback. It was just too good. LOL!
I usually bring home take home plates from restaurants because of portion sizes. I tend to get a salad and only eat part of my meal. My husband is a true member of the "Clean Your Plate Club". lol
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