This sounds obvious ( like most things of a common sense nature ) and reasonable to think that people only eat when they are hungry. However, and let me say here that I really hate to disabuse anyone of this common sense notion, many people really do eat when they are not hungry, especially those individuals in the heavy weight division. Let's face it. People just love to eat (some of us more than others), such that they are not going to let a little thing like not being hungry get in the way of putting on a good feedbag. I understand there are times when you find yourself in a situation when you are not really hungry but are at some sort of gathering where you are expected to eat. The right thing to do then would probably be to be polite and do what's expected of you. Just don't go overboard with it. But what if the food is really good, oh great Weight-Loss Guru? Then, grasshopper, you have to be mindful of what you are trying to accomplish and decide what's more important. Do you want to turn a blind eye and plow forward with the underlying idea that you'll make an exception this time and start tomorrow or the next time you are presented with such a tempting opportunity to indulge? Or, do you want to be true to yourself and apply the discipline necessary to keep your eating practices in line with what you are trying to accomplish this time and every time? I think we all know when we put off something till tomorrow, that tomorrow usually never comes, human nature being what it is. Most people just keep on doing what they've been doing, because, well, that's just what they do. The problem is what you end up having is a life long chain of exceptions and as a result are carrying a lot more weight because of it.
What about the times you are not caught in a situation where you are obliged to eat? Well then, quite simply put, you should wait till you are hungry before you feed yourself again. Look I know that even this is not always the practical thing to do, but if you are going to make any headway at chiseling off those extra pounds you've managed to accumulate over the years by being undisciplined in your eating habits then you need to adopt this strategy of not eating till you are hungry and apply it every time it is practicable. When it is not, you need to be a little more forward thinking and plan ahead, so that you have an appetite when you are expected to have one. Come on! It's not like you haven't a clue when you've got a planned meal that you are expected to sit down to. This goes back to the Tip #7. You know you are expected for a meal, so don't shovel any food in before you get to the table! OK so maybe you are famished, and you just can't wait till then. I can relate, but that doesn't mean you have to gorge yourself because that is just what you do anytime you allow yourself to eat. No! Just eat a little something that will merely "hold" you till the planned meal, like some nuts for instance. Nuts are protein and just plain good for you. This does not mean you have to eat them by the shovel full though. My God, just apply a little common sense coupled with some self-control. If you can get yourself trained to do this, then you will have gone a long way at eliminating another bad eating habit that is contributing to your over-sized appearance. Be smart and think ahead. It's all part of becoming more mindful. Ah, I love the Zen sound of that last statement.
