Food for Thought: March 15th

Keep Planning

Maintaining our abstinence means that we continue to plan our three measured meals each day. To leave them to chance is to invite trouble, since compulsive overeaters do not learn how to eat spontaneously, no matter how long they try.

Planning means that we have the food we need available when we need it. We make decisions about what we will eat when we are rested and strong, not when we are in a rush, overtired, or over hungry.

Preparing meals ahead for busy days, shopping for food after a meal rather than before, remembering to allow time for defrosting - there are many ways to make it easy to follow a food plan. When we are convinced that abstinence is the most important thing in our lives, we are able to find ways to maintain it no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Help me to remember to plan. 

From Food for Thought: Daily Meditations for Overeaters by Elisabeth L. ©1980, 1992 by Hazelden Foundation.

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Fail to plan and plan to fail............that's the gospel truth. With compulsive overeating, there is no other way.  I eat 6 small meals a day, and they are all measured and planned out in advance.  I eat on a strict schedule as well, which keeps my blood sugar level and my hunger at bay.  Eating in this manner allows me to use food as fuel instead of as entertainment or emotional comfort.  If I feel 'hungry' in between meals, I know it's not true stomach hunger but HEAD hunger instead.......the desire to munch.  If I give in to that desire to munch, I break my abstinence and no matter how much I eat, I never feel 'satisfied.' 

What's the point in taking that first compulsive bite?  Since there is no such thing as 'enough' to a compulsive overeater, there is also NO POINT in taking that first compulsive bite!

There is no circumstance too difficult to handle. My Food Plan prevails and IT stays in charge of ME! Structure prevents chaos.

For today, I will eat my 6 small, measured meals and nothing more.  With God's help, I will not break my abstinence for the next 24 hours.  Help me to remember that I will not starve!!