Think Slim, Issue #009 - Excuses, excuses

March 29, 2005

Look great, feel great

Hi

For those of you who celebrate it, I hope you had a good Easter and didn't eat too many chocolate eggs.

We went to party lunch on Saturday here in Scotland to celebrate my mum-in-law's 70th birthday – lovely to see all the family from Norway and the South of England all together in one room – ages 10 months to 72! (Happy Birthday Rena if you're reading this!)

One thing that seems to be different between the adults and the children at these events is that the children don't seem to eat a scrap more than they are hungry for while the adults continue to tuck in after they've had enough just because there is so much that's great to eat. Maybe we should just learn to eat like children again (but I would draw the line at playing wolves under the table after the meal, as our brood did, even if it does use up some calories!)

Love

P.S. There are quite a few postings on the Think Slim blog this month. See them all at http://smallchange.typepad.com/thinkslim.

Contents

Feature article : Excuses, excuses

We are all great at finding valid reasons to eat too much. If you've ever been on a diet, you will have got this down to a fine art. You're sure to have a ready-made excuse for eating in any set of circumstances. You know, excuses like

• Everyone else was having some
• It was there
• It looked so inviting
• It smelt so appetising
• I was very hungry
• I was fed up
• I needed a break
• I was bored
• I had a really bad day
• I need something with a cup of tea
• I always have popcorn at the movies

There are as many reasons to eat too much as there are calories in a double cheeseburger. The question is do you put your energy into finding excuses why you ate too much? Or do you concentrate all your efforts on losing weight?

It's really your decision.

Because none of the reasons for eating too much are set in stone – you can ALWAYS choose to do something else. To eat just enough to satisfy and no more. To change your habits one day at a time until you no longer have the same psychological triggers to eat. And you can do this without being miserable and denying yourself everything.

It all comes down to how determined you are to reach your goal.

If you're not really focused on achieving your target weight, the excuses will win out time after time.

If you ARE ready this time to lose those pounds and keep them off, you'll find ways to get round the excuses most of the time rather than using them every time.

The difference between those people who lose weight and those who don't is simply how many excuses they make.

Are YOU ready to lose the excuses and lose the weight?

This month's tip : Three bites

When you're eating out and you really want to have dessert (yet you're already full) don't deny yourself and feel deprived. You'll only rebel later.

Order the smallest portion you can (maybe share with a friend) and take only three bites. Eat it slowly, linger over your treat and enjoy the taste. You can't do much damage with 3 bites if you simply must have something.

And far from being a waste, it doesn't change the cost whether bites number 4 - 10 land on your hips or in the trash.

Just remember, if you eat out a lot, to save this strategy for when you really need it because if you do this every day all those little bits mount up!

Recommendation: The Skinny Chef

They say you should never trust a skinny chef but this one is different.

If you love cooking but are running out of inspiration for meals that won't blow your calorie budget take a look at www.delicious-low-fat-recipes.com for tons of low fat recipe ideas.

Now there are no excuses (that word again) for not eating delicious food AND losing weight.

Wishing you a fantastic month, looking and feeling great

Janice Elizabeth Small

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments or suggestions for future issues, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this ezine.

P.P.S.Know anyone else who might enjoy it? Please pass it on. If you received this from a friend you can sign up for your own copy at....

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copyright © 2005, J. Small. All Rights reserved.

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