This is my new motto. If you’ve ever taken a guilt trip while you’re eating something you probably shouldn’t, you’ll understand what I’m saying: “If I’m going to eat it, then by George, I’m going to enjoy it.”
I don’t always make good food choices. I still struggle with intense cravings. And I sometimes give in to them. Okay, the truth lies somewhere between the word “sometimes” and the word “often.”
Too many times in the past, while giving myself over to a craving, I’ve eaten the whole whatever-it-was without really enjoying a single bite because I feel so bad about eating something that’s not good for my diet. Now tell me, where is the sense in that? If I’m going to fall off the wagon, I might as well enjoy the view as I tumble to the ground!
If I’m going to let the craving win anyway, why should I allow myself to be guilted out of satisfying said craving? The end result will be extra calories and fat in my system with no positives to make it worth it! Obviously the best course would be to not eat it at all, or to have just a bite or two, but failing that, at least I’m going to let my palate have a few moments of pleasure.
So I’m learning to do that. I had an extra bowl of cereal this morning. I won’t tell you what kind it was, but let’s just say I’m not at all opposed to chocolate in the morning. I shouldn’t have eaten it; I didn’t need it to satisfy my hunger. The first bowl (of a far more sensible cereal) had taken care of that. But mmmmm … I enjoyed it. And I’m going to go burn it off now.
I think maybe letting go of the guilt a little bit might have a positive effect in the end. If I know I’m allowed to enjoy a treat sometimes, I won’t feel so deprived and so desperate to sneak something to my taste buds without my thighs noticing. People who are free from prison don’t need a cake with a file in it. So maybe dieters who free their minds won’t need a file with a cake in it.
Are you with me? Sick of feeling guilty? Then banish the guilt while still not giving up on your overall diet plan.
Then burn it off!
