Keeping a food journal is an interesting experience. You should try it.

Keeping a journal will slow down the process of eating. It will make you think about what you eat, why you eat a particular food, where you eat, and when you eat. It will uncover habits that you may want to change.

I started the “Flat Belly” diet from Prevention. They also want you to journal about your food and eating habits.

Today I had a dentist appointment first thing. I also worked evening shift. I had breakfast after the dentist. I cooked oatmeal with wolf berries (goji berries), pecans, along with 1/2 of a banana. I had green tea instead of coffee. My husband was upset about something and was jawing at me all morning. I in turn was getting upset. I was practicing gratitude for his good qualities.

I have been busy for the last 2 weekends, so the house had not been cleaned. Today I cleaned. But I had to stop so that I could cook dinner and back my lunch. I was stressed. I didn’t get to eat before I went to work. I was hungry. They had CANDY and DONUTS! I did pretty well navigating that diversion. But when I got into the car, to see my first patient, I ate, rather, wolfed down a peanut butter sandwich. (That is on the diet).

I have a HABIT of eating in the car. Personally, I don’t think that eating in the car is good idea. When you eat in the car, you don’t think about eating. You are thinking about driving or the radio or whatever.

I think it is important to take time to eat. Eating should be at a table, with silver ware, glass for drink, napkin etc. When you set aside time to eat, you will enjoy your food more and eat less. You can be mindful of eating. Being “mindful” is about being with your food, tasting the food. Notice the texture of the food or the smell. You can chew your food. What a concept, chewing. More on that later. You can savor all aspects of the meal and be satisfied. Hmmm.

Blessings, Mary Pat

Mary Pat FitzGibbons RN MS writes on healthy weight, weight loss and other health issues facing Baby Boomer Women.

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