Food Rehab

I think the term intuitive eater describes me fairly well. 

I pretty much eat when I want and what I want.  I listen to my body and  nourish it with what it is craving.  I eat dessert 9 out of 10 nights, and I stop when I am satisfied.

Usually.

I have absolutely no shame announcing to the world that sometimes I eat too much at night. 

After work I like to relax, blog, watch Netflix DVD?s, and snuggle with my cat.  These activities can all be made just that much more enjoyable if they?re done in the company of a snack.

Many nights I intuitively know I?ve indulged too much, but it usually doesn?t bother me.  I know a night here and there of too much dessert is just fine. 

But when I wake up the next morning with a sick feeling in my stomach, a bloat in my belly, and  no appetite for breakfast, I  know I?ve gone too far.

Say hello to some of my Trader Joe?s swag?

Dried bartlett pears, dried dragon fruit dark chocolate covered caramels, dark chocolate mint creams, and all natural fruit jellies?

We have a love/hate relationship going on right now. 

When I woke up this morning with my 3rd food hangover in a row, I realized today must be the day I start rehab.

LHP Food Rehab Rules

5 Tips to Getting Back on Track after a Food Overdose

1) Don?t stress!  I?m serious.  There should be no guilt associated with overeating.  Don?t even go there.  EVERYONE overeats.  Those who claim they are perfect eaters all the time are full of you-know-what. 

2) Give yourself a break.  Whether you?ve managed to snack it up for 3 days in a row [points to self] or for a week, it is ok.  Really.  Sometimes things are going on inside our bodies that we have no control over (PMS, anyone?). 

3) Don?t obsess about the calories.  Why do you care about how many calories you just ate?  Knowing wont solve anything.  Just let them go and move on with your life.  I promise, they aren?t all going straight to your hips.  And along the same lines- don?t weigh yourself!  If you must step on that scale, wait a few days for your body to adjust and for the bloat to disappear.

4) Try eating larger meals.  Today at breakfast, lunch, and dinner I?ve kept myself plenty full on good quality nutrient-dense calories.  Try squeezing in extra fiber and protein in order to keep your belly full and to ward off that sweet (or salty!) tooth.

5) Try a satisfying, pre-portioned dessert.  Its best to find exactly what you want and eat it!  It also helps if it is pre-portioned.  If I knew of a cupcake bakery in this city, I would totally go and pick one up for tonight?s dessert.  That is exactly what I?m craving for dessert tonight.  And since I?d only be buying one, there?s no temptation to go back for seconds.

I hope you found my tips helpful.  I can?t help but to reiterate: Feel. No. Shame.  Be lighthearted about it.  Own it.  Overeating happens!

***

Time to end this post.  It?s Body Attack time!!!!!!!  Thursday is not my regularly scheduled day, but yesterday I opted to stay at work longer than usual, and I missed my beloved 4:45 class.

Also, due to popular demand, I?ve decided to extend the CSN Stores Giveaway until Monday at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time.  Enter away!

Question: What are some of your tips for getting back on track after a few days of less-than-healthy eating?

Related posts:Fiber One Review/Giveaway + Thai Food on Girls’ Night
Lily’s Got Her Food Back!
Being a Food Minority