SAMPLE EVERYTHING, BINGE ON NOTHING!

CINDY POLE
Oct 20, 2018
3 min read

I get eye rolls when I talk about moderation and balance with food.

“What does that even mean?” is what people say.

My husband can eat one chip or one cookie and stop there. He’s also been known to take just one spoonful of ice cream. (Is that even possible?) What makes him so dang special that he can stop at one bite and not feel the need to eat the whole dang thing? My girlfriend can do the same. She says “no” to decadent desserts despite it being the only time she’ll be at that restaurant. No FOMO! How? How!

I totally understand this frame of mind because for years I felt the exact same way. I used to love the cheat meal which would somehow turn into a cheat day. I’d eat whatever, kicking the rules to the curb. Really, it was just one day, right? How much harm could it do? I’d have my cheat meal while my friend and husband would just having one bite or nothing at all. For me, I was usually elbows deep in my cheat day on Friday or Saturday night. Then came Sunday, where I was back to meal prepping for a strict week ahead.

Control over my eating didn’t really come together until I was able to ask what makes them able to stop or say no when I couldn’t? I mean, I’m disciplined. I’m motivated. I workout. I want this.

My husband never restricts, nothing is ever off limits. He can have one bite because he can come back anytime for more. He has an abundance mindset. My girlfriend, on the other hand, had an eating disorder when she was younger. Her restriction stems from an unhealed place. She has a lack mindset. And so did I!

I haven’t had an eating disorder, but my strict eating regiment made me go bat shit crazy. Both of us had mental blocks that didn’t allow us to enjoy just one bite because our thoughts and beliefs were attached to weight loss. But I learned how to break this habit, this lack mindset, and it was a game changer!

It took me three years to master a more moderate approach. It all started with a practice. Instead of depriving myself completely Monday through Thursday, I started giving myself a little wiggle room. And even though it didn't happen overnight, eventually I got to the point that I wasn't ravenous for sweets and treats. I didn't feel deprived. I didn't need to reward myself for a hard week of dieting.

This was what took me from an all-or-nothing approach, to a more moderate approach I call the art of tasting everything and binging on nothing.

Here is how I practiced until I became a master.

1) THE ONE FRY RULE

I rarely order fries. But I can almost guarantee that someone I’m out for dinner with will. It’s also guaranteed that I will take one or two fries. You better believe that I will eat those fries with delight and then happily return to my own meal.

2) THE THREE BITE DESSERT RULE

I can also guarantee that someone will share dessert with me and, if not, I order it on my own. I use the same fry rule when it comes to sharing dessert. And if I’m ordering it on my own, I still take three bites and stop. This helps me take ownership of that dessert and stay present in how it tastes, looks, and smells.

3. EAT WHAT YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT

I no longer eat what is around the house. I now consider what I really want. Sometimes that involves heading out to the grocery story or walking to that specialty chocolate store down the street. Sometimes it involves waiting, knowing I’m going to have it at some point. This allows me to satisfy cravings instead of eating what’s around and never feeling satisfied.

Cutting out everything all at once set me up for failure. I thought that because I wanted to control my weight, the only way was to eliminate everything, which was black and white thinking. It reinforced the lack mentality so when food was in front of me, I didn’t know how to stop. By applying these three simple principles, it became easy for me to take back control but simple enough to succeed. When I did it once, it became easier and easier to do it again.

Do these practices resonate with you? Could you try implementing one moderate practice, knowing that over time you’ll get better at it?

It's a practice indeed. Change doesn't happen overnight, that’s why it’s a practice. But I promise that it gets easier and is a sure way to get you out of negative eating habits.

*****

Don't like reading? Listen up here