Greetings, Earthlings :)
Today is my 6th day adopting my two new lifestyle/diet changes: giving up my chocolate bar habit and stopping eating by 4pm.
Overall, it's been great. Once I put my mind to it, not having the chocolate bars, and not eating after 4, have actually been quite easy. Occasionally I want something at night, although I'm not hungry, but that's primarily been due to something emotional. One night I had a little spoonful of pecan butter when I was feeling upset about something, but overall, not eating at night has been easy. I just do other things- hang with friends, go on walks, read, write in my journal, blog ;) I've also had some chocolate in the form of nibs - my intention isn't to give up cacao, just those bars I was eating habitually.
Two nights this week I was at social gatherings and ate something after 4. This, however, I had said I would allow myself. One night was the donut making, as you saw in my previous post, that I had been planning to do with my friend for many weeks before I decided to do this. The other night I was hanging out at a friend's house and she made me a little salad. Even these nights though, overall, I ate less than I was previously in the habit of eating.
I think I am eating slightly less overall, and it is interesting to observe how these attachments just do whatever they can to survive. For example, I have found myself eating more before 4pm than I used to, just because my mind knows I have to stop eating early. I'm also observing myself eating right at 4, as if trying to stuff the last bit I possibly can so I survive it to tomorrow. Although I'm not stuffing myself, I am still having no regard for whether I am hungry or not. Over the next few days, I choose to work on these things! The point is to release the attachment, not have it simply redirect itself in different ways!
I am feeling the benefits of going to sleep on a relatively empty stomach. I sleep better, and wake up feeling and looking more refreshed. Although it's a baby step, the action I'm taking does feel like an act of love for my body - letting it do it's normal nightly activities rather than digesting food. Knowing I'm showing more love and respect for my body through actions (not words!), feels great!
"Every time you 'use' food, you leave yourself. You walk out the door and leave yourself starving. At least you have an avenue into your inner world. Your eating can become a sign that you need something-even though you don't know what it is or how to get it. Rather than viewing it as a seizure that overtakes you and propels you toward food, you can use it as a barometer between you and your non-physical hunger."
~Geneen Roth
