Make
eating out fun - not an assault course
by
Wendy Hearn
What foods should
I choose when eating out socially? This is a question I'm often asked
and most people want me to list foods they 'should' and 'shouldn't' eat.
Although there are healthier choices you can make, I would encourage you
to make these only when you feel ready and not because someone else told
you what you should do. The focus then becomes totally on the food.
When you're eating
out, I would suggest you focus instead on other things. Consider what
eating out really means to you apart from the food. Perhaps it's spending
time with friends, letting your hair down after a hard day at work, or
relaxing and chatting with your partner.
Decide what your main
intention is and focus on this, enjoying the time as much as you possibly
can, rather than focusing on food. I see many people eating out socially
and devoting so much thought and energy to the foods they're eating or
not eating, that they miss the reason for going out in the first place.
I'm not suggesting
you eat anything and everything you see, just that you allow yourself
to enjoy the occasion and naturally choose the healthier options you feel
ready to select.
So, I suggest that
prior to eating out socially you ask yourself "What's important to
me about this time?" Then, create a way to remind yourself of this
intention. Perhaps repeat it to yourself before going out or raise your
awareness with a visual reminder. Ask yourself "What shall I do when
I catch myself focusing on food more that I intended to?"
I also encourage you
to make this a fun-time. When we feel more light-hearted about doing something,
it tends to be much easier. What will it take for you to have fun with
this?
Sharing food can be
fun - sharing a dessert is one way of having fun and perhaps not eating
as much as you would normally. I suggest you do this with the intention
of
having fun, rather than cutting out food of necessity.
When your focus and
intention is taken off food and put onto other things, you'll more naturally
eat less food. You may also find yourself enjoying other peoples' company
more and having more fun.
When you feel ready
to make healthier or different choices of food, then take small steps,
one at a time and don't feel under pressure from others or yourself to
do it when you're not ready. Enjoy your life fully and let the weight
loss happen gradually.
Wendy Hearn, Weight Loss Success Coach and Author of "What's Eating
You? - The Top 10 Things That Stop YOU From Losing Weight" http://www.PositiveWeightLoss.com
Free sample chapters, send a blank email to: mailto:whateatart@wendyhearn.par32.com
Wendy works with people who want to successfully lose weight. http://www.WeightLossCoaching.com
Copyright 2002,
Wendy Hearn. All rights reserved.
Make eating out fun - not an assault course
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