Could Gratitude Be the Key to Weight Loss?
Did you ever stop to think how "More" centered the world is getting. It's getting pretty selfish. They say in addiction studies that when your brain says "I want more___," that is usually your addict talking. Think about it really. If food were a drug, and some do compare it to one, that would explain why we cannot stop eating MORE until something is gone. Personally, I listen to that voice, the "more" voice. If I hear it, I say "You're the addict! You WANT me to eat more." I then get away from the food as if it is toxic. Eating less becomes easier from that standpoint. I'm not here to argue food addiction with anyone. I'm just telling you a little trick that helps me.
More of everything is available and we seem to want it all. I love this line from a Sheryl Crow song: "Happiness isn't getting what you want; it's wanting what you've got."
I think if we were grateful for the blessing we do have in our lives, we would be more fulfilled and less "hungry." We crave newer and better things and experiences, and there is nothing wrong with that sometimes. It's when we can't have it and placate our boredom with food that we get in trouble.
Instead of feeding ourselves in times of boredom or in a fit or MOREdom, why don't we share or give? Surely there is someone who would be delighted to have a dress from your closet or a pair of nice shoes that no longer fit well. What about loading up the local food pantry with some of your more tempting snacks and getting them out of the house? Those snacks could feed the hungry and take inches off your waist at the same time that way. Do you have a friend going through a hard time? Maybe giving her a small present or card would make her day. The act of giving is very nurturing and gives us a good, warm feeling inside. So if you were searching for that feeling with food, try a good deed instead.
The simple act of being grateful and in the moment helps many people with their wellness program. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, and this moment is all we really have. Live in it fully. Don't fret about the cake you might encounter on Saturday or the restaurant you plan to go to on Friday until then. Planning is good for some, while for others, it causes undue stress and binging. The thought process being: "Well, I'm going to blow it all Friday and Saturday anyway, so I might as well…" If that person lived in the moment, they would save themselves days of overeating. Christmas and Thanksgiving would be one-day events, not an excuse to eat for a month and a half.
An attitude of gratitude and giving brings so much more to life. There is a joy that you can feel no other way than when you make another person happy. Even something as simple as a smile is a gift. You never know who may have really needed it that day. As you smile and think of ways to please others, your heart will grow lighter and I suspect your weight will too.
A positive attitude of giving and gratitude has really helped me to lose weight, 151 pounds now. If I try to give, the better I feel and the less I want to eat. It is only when I get greedy and hear the "More" voice that I know I'm in trouble and to back off from whatever it is that I'm doing. That's my red alert.
Gratitude has led to a cause for me. I feel that SparkPeople saved my life. If you read my page, you will know why. I want to prove now that second chances do happen with SparkPeople and that nobody should have to live in their bedroom because of super morbid obesity and chronic pain. The more rallies I have, blogs I write, people I call, the more joy I find. I have all of you out there in Sparkland to thank for the wonderful thoughts you send my way.
What do you do when you feel grateful or want to spread joy?
More of everything is available and we seem to want it all. I love this line from a Sheryl Crow song: "Happiness isn't getting what you want; it's wanting what you've got."
I think if we were grateful for the blessing we do have in our lives, we would be more fulfilled and less "hungry." We crave newer and better things and experiences, and there is nothing wrong with that sometimes. It's when we can't have it and placate our boredom with food that we get in trouble.
Instead of feeding ourselves in times of boredom or in a fit or MOREdom, why don't we share or give? Surely there is someone who would be delighted to have a dress from your closet or a pair of nice shoes that no longer fit well. What about loading up the local food pantry with some of your more tempting snacks and getting them out of the house? Those snacks could feed the hungry and take inches off your waist at the same time that way. Do you have a friend going through a hard time? Maybe giving her a small present or card would make her day. The act of giving is very nurturing and gives us a good, warm feeling inside. So if you were searching for that feeling with food, try a good deed instead.
The simple act of being grateful and in the moment helps many people with their wellness program. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is not promised, and this moment is all we really have. Live in it fully. Don't fret about the cake you might encounter on Saturday or the restaurant you plan to go to on Friday until then. Planning is good for some, while for others, it causes undue stress and binging. The thought process being: "Well, I'm going to blow it all Friday and Saturday anyway, so I might as well…" If that person lived in the moment, they would save themselves days of overeating. Christmas and Thanksgiving would be one-day events, not an excuse to eat for a month and a half.
An attitude of gratitude and giving brings so much more to life. There is a joy that you can feel no other way than when you make another person happy. Even something as simple as a smile is a gift. You never know who may have really needed it that day. As you smile and think of ways to please others, your heart will grow lighter and I suspect your weight will too.
A positive attitude of giving and gratitude has really helped me to lose weight, 151 pounds now. If I try to give, the better I feel and the less I want to eat. It is only when I get greedy and hear the "More" voice that I know I'm in trouble and to back off from whatever it is that I'm doing. That's my red alert.
Gratitude has led to a cause for me. I feel that SparkPeople saved my life. If you read my page, you will know why. I want to prove now that second chances do happen with SparkPeople and that nobody should have to live in their bedroom because of super morbid obesity and chronic pain. The more rallies I have, blogs I write, people I call, the more joy I find. I have all of you out there in Sparkland to thank for the wonderful thoughts you send my way.
What do you do when you feel grateful or want to spread joy?
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Comments
YES, GRATITUDE IS AMAZINGLY,
AND A POWERFUL TOOL!
THANK YOU!
MARY. - 10/19/2011 6:57:12 PM
I always try to give back as I have been on the receiving end at times myself.
And now that i have lost over 192 lbs and really have my life back, I want to try in every way possible to help others.
Sometime just the smallest acknowledgement is very important to someone.
I have given my constantly changing clothes sizes to others who are in need.
It's also a nice thought to look out for the elderly in your neighborhood. Maybe you live in an apartment, check if they need something. Offer to go to the store for them. There are so many things one can do.
Now that I am not obese, helpless, able to get around I am available to reach out to all. And it feels so good.
I too have Spark to thank in my over all quest for health and fitness. I did the work, but Spark was there, and some wonderful friends to encourage me and offer support.
We can always do more.
Tisha - 10/17/2011 9:32:29 AM
I also like to give compliments - looking for something positive to comment on easily becomes an ingrained habit and it just makes life that much more pleasant.
I think you are exactly on target that when we are in that feeling-place of gratitude we are much less likely to turn to food. We give from a place of fullness, so it stands to reason we need food less to fill an emptiness inside. By focusing on gratitude and giving, we are already full.
Oceans of blessings, dear one. - 10/16/2011 11:18:35 PM
I am going to try pushing my "inner addict" away the next time I feel the need to finish it all. Thank you! - 10/16/2011 1:37:04 PM
I especially liked making Thanksgiving and Christmas one day events and not an excuse to eat for a month and a half. If you include Halloween and New Years, its 3 months straight. Sadly, I have done this in the past. No more. Awesome blog, Beth. Thanks. - 10/15/2011 1:52:25 PM
Regretfully, I do not subscribe to twitter or facebook. I feel I miss a great deal.
The timing of your excellent blog was at exactly the right moment for me. - 10/15/2011 12:16:38 PM
i am very grateful to God for all my blessings. I try to give back to others by helping them find the things I have found that encourage an attitude of Gratitude. God, of course, leads the way but small things too like Sparkpeople and their support, the miracle of hot showers, and since I live in New Mexico where growing things is tough looking for small flowers and trees growing out of rocks! - 10/15/2011 11:57:15 AM
And looking @ food for me and dealing with it definitely IS like an alcoholic dealing with alcohol. There are just certain foods I will not have in my house because they are not good for me and make my brain (that ADDICT part you speak of) shout FEED ME when the body doesn't need it.
Sorry this is so long. Appreciate your blog. - 10/15/2011 11:11:25 AM
Thank you for sharing this! - 10/15/2011 2:05:48 AM
- 10/15/2011 12:32:49 AM
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