Has This Ever Happened to You? 

If you know anything at all about me than you know I love to preach about healthy food every chance I get. My family has it the worst as I go on and on about eating your greens, avoiding processed junk food and making sure to eat enough protein with every meal.

If only I could stop myself once in a while, my husband's life would be so much easier. And if only I could eat like a "normal" person our experience dining out wouldn't have to turn into a scene from "When Harry Met Sally". You see I place my orders just like Sally did except I'm ten times worse!  

So, here I am coaching people how to eat well, teaching women how to enjoy weight loss the delicious way and guess what I find myself doing the other day? I had such a strong craving for salty potato chips that I drove to the local Nob Hill and walked up and down the "health food" aisle desperately seeking something that would satisfy my craving and NOT contain an ingredient list full of chemicals.

I found something suitable, paid for it and opened the bag just as soon as I got in my car. As I reached inside the bag, pulled out a handful of "healthy" chips and began stuffing them in my face, I caught myself in the act. I couldn't believe what I was doing. I couldn't believe after all the years I've been working on emotional eating, healing my body, dealing with deep dark issues and ALL the other work I've done on myself - in one instance I went back to that place. The place I swore so many times to never visit again.

This is the place where the word "control" does not exist, where mindful eating isn't even a consideration and where I turn into the person who loses trust and faith in herself for having lost it once again. I don't like this place...

I piled a few more chips in my mouth and savored the saltiness (is that even a word?) Then I did the one thing that I thought might snap me out of it. I took a deep breath and then another. And I asked myself these two questions, "Is eating these chips for my highest good?" and "Will eating these chips make me feel good when I'm done?"

I pondered these questions for a moment and the answer came to me fiercely. I felt a big fat "NO" rise within me. I quickly folded up the bag and pushed it aside. I sat there for another moment and rather than beat myself up for this out of body experience, I forgave myself for not being perfect. I told myself it was all going to be okay. And it was.  

I share this story with you partly to confess but mostly to let you know that you're not alone. I (mostly) have this thing licked but there are times when the old me reappears with a vengeance.

I've learned a thing or two about the hold that emotional eating can have on you and on me. And I've learned how to break free from the chains. So here's my advice. Next time you find yourself in that place do what I did:  

1. Pause and take a few deep breaths.
2. Ask yourself these two questions; "Is eating X for my highest good?" and "Will eating X make me feel good when I'm done?"
3. Listen carefully for the answers and do what feels right in the moment.

This takes some practice, but you can do it. You can win the battle! And know that I'm right here cheering you on, my friend.

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