Do you avoid confrontation for weeks on end only to blow up in one huge fight? Do you jump from one thing to the next so quickly you barely can keep track of your days anymore?

How we eat often reflects the way we live our life. You may find yourself eating a snack only to be thinking of the next treat you are going to have. Others may follow a strict diet for weeks on end, then binge eat when willpower just isn't enough.

If you eat fast, slow, mindful, or mindless; I encourage you to take a moment to think about your eating habits and how they mirror your day to day living.

If you are ready to improve your relationship with food and how it serves you, begin with these 5 questions:

1. What I am hungry for?
A fulfilling career, nourishing relationships, joyful movement, and a sense of community are all non-food sources of nourishment. These are called Primary Foods. If you are eating a "perfect" diet, but are in a dysfunctional relationship, broccoli is NOT going to solve the problem. Neither is a pint of ice cream. Examine what areas in your life may be weighing you down. Also, recognize what truly fuels you. Whether it's writing, sports, or cooking, find ways to incorporate Primary Foods into your day.

2. Am I distracted?
Be fully present when eating. The less aware we are of a meal as we eat, the more the brain will signal us to consume excess food. Notice the times when you go on automatic pilot when eating. Remind yourself to wake up and you'll find yourself being satisfied with much less. Turn off the television. Put away the magazines. Focus on your food.

3. Am I tired, stressed, or overworked?
People sometimes turn to food as a way to alleviate these feelings. Something about crunchy snacks can be quite appealing when stressed. Maybe you turn to sugar when you are feeling exhausted in the middle of the day. If you find yourself standing in front of the refrigerator asking yourself "what do I want?" also ask yourself, "Am I tired, stressed, or overworked?" In many instances, a warm bath, a nap, a brisk 15 minute walk, or a funny movie may be all you really needed..

4. Do I label foods "good" and "bad?"
Once we label food, we associate guilt or pride with the choices we make. In instances where we come home stressed and feel we deserve to pamper ourselves, we often go to "bad" foods as rewards, as if we have somehow paid our dues. This type of black and white thinking can lead to episodes of overeating, where having one cookie makes us feel like a complete failure. This can lead to consuming mass quantities, with the rationalization that we "blew it today anyway."

5. Do I enjoy what I eat and eat quality foods?
You have two choices: enjoy what you eat or don't. Life is short. If we deprive ourselves our foods we love, we will eventually crave it so badly we may overdo it. One of the best things you can do is write a list of your favorite foods and then come up with the healthiest versions of those foods. Do you love ice cream? Freeze a couple frozen bananas and blend them in a food processor for a delicious treat. Love pizza? Make your own with whole grain crusts, organic sauces, cheeses, and toppings. Be creative. Your self confidence will get a boost from the time you are setting aside to make your health a priority!



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