Second Helpings, Anyone?

So, how did the first week go? If you’re like me, you may have reached for seconds almost without thinking. I think I made it to the kitchen once or twice before it dawned on me that I had committed to not having seconds.

You know what? I didn’t feel deprived even once this week. Of course, all I did was avoid seconds. No dieting, no deprivation, just a small dose of common sense. How did it work for you? If you tried the week of no second helpings, how did you do? Are you going to continue on with it?

As for me, I will. It was just too easy not to stick with.

Weekly Habit for December 25

Christmas is here, and so is the food! No, I’m not going to even suggest that you pass on the holiday favorites. I’m not going to, and I’m not going to ask anyone else to either.

For this week, let’s resolve to eat only healthy snacks. If I eat between meals or after dinner, I’m going to limit my snacking to fruits, vegetables, or something equally healthy. Fruit salad is one of our favorites for the holidays, so i’ll be eating that and passing on the chips, dip, and leftover desserts.

What do we do about last week’s habit? Continue reading

Habit Check Up for Monday

So, we’ve spent the day going without seconds. How did it go for you?

One thing I’ve learned through many diets is that I’m most definitely an emotional eater. When I stressed or upset, I reach for comfort foods, which could be sweets or salty snacks for me.

I started the no seconds habit yesterday, and one thing I’ve already noticed is that I tend to reach for seconds purely out of habit. No, I’m not hungry. I may not even be all that enamored of the meal itself. Still, I reach for seconds anyway, without even thinking.

Today and yesterday, I reminded myself not to do that, and you know what I noticed? I don’t feel deprived; after all, I ate what I wanted. I didn’t even reduce my portion sizes, but I didn’t increase them either! I served up what’s normal for me, and that was it. So far, sounds pretty easy, right?

Maybe. Two days does not a habit make, but passing on second helpings doesn’t seem like it will be a terribly painful way to reduce calories.