In a recent post I told the story of how my wife and I sadly left a spectacular looking dessert that failed the taste test. Sitting behind this is the Mantra:
AM I BEING MINDFUL?
I can have it if I really want it,
is the taste worth the calories?
Many of my patients stick this up on their fridge, pantry and in their wallet (to remind them at the shop) to help themselves develop mindfulness around food. Here is the printout for you to print off, cut up and place in strategic places – The Food Lover’s Mantra
Dr West, why make it a highly emotional decision (“SADLY left a spectacular looking dessert”), when you are appealing to the reader’s RATIONAL mind with your accompanying ‘mantra’ to make the decision about eating something high in calories@f2@f3@f4
I think you left a poor example to readers: by bringing in a strong emotional reaction to making the decision to leave a dish, you are engaging mental processes that won’t make the grade. Teach you patients to separate the emotional attachment to the decision making process. Watch your wording.
I am sure this comment won’t see the light of day under this post.
Actually Simone – I’m not trying to appeal to the rational mind as it will lose hands down against our emotions. Eating is a very emotional business! Weight loss strategies that work on rational thinking ultimately fail. The only thing that works against emotion is other emotions – in this case the dissappointment at the food not being worth the calories. The Mantra is also about dealing with the emotion of rebellion, by saying that you can have it if you really want it. Thanks for allowing me to clarify these points.
George B-W