Food for Thought: May 3rd

Accepting Normality

It is normal to eat three meals a day. As compulsive overeaters, we made ourselves exceptional by refusing to follow the usual pattern of meals. Instead, we wanted to follow the whims and demands of our irrational appetites. For some reason, what was good enough for others was not good enough for us - we had to have more.

Now that we have accepted a reasonable food plan, we can learn to eat normally. We do not need extra food. We know that our true strength and nourishment come from our Higher Power, not from an overload of calories.

When we stop overeating compulsively, we no longer need to feel guilty about our eating habits or different from those around us. We can accept the fact that we are normal people, not better than everyone else and not worse either. Like those around us, we have strengths and weaknesses, and we are making progress. It is a relief to accept normality.

May I keep a realistic perspective on myself.

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

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Forcing 'normalcy' upon ourselves is a great approach! Whether we 'feel like it' or not, we create a food plan for ourselves and then we STICK TO IT. My food plan has always been 6 small meals a day at 8, 11, 2, 5, 7 and 10. Studies have proven that it's healthier to eat small, frequent meals than it is to eat 3 larger ones.  So that is MY food plan and constitutes abstinence for ME.  I eat no sugar or white flour, because those are trigger foods that will lead me to a binge.

For today, I don't have to feel guilty about my eating habits or different from those around me.  For today, I will stick to my Food Plan and if I don't feel like it, I will FAKE it till I FEEL it!