Unwanted Voices: The End

Your comments on recent Reflections show that the unwanted voices of overeating speak to many of us. We have different ways of responding successfully to their call. In some cases, it works to turn down the volume. In others, it helps to dial another station, replacing voices of excess with voices of moderation. In yet others, we may be able to persuade the voices to join us in the quest for a better way.

I loved Jamie’s comment two weeks ago; she associates eating with joy. Her voices are able to distinguish the passing pleasure of over-eating from the genuine joy of eating within the bounds of healthy happiness. She also pointed out that voices shriek in outrage when they feel deprived. A choice to abstain from particular foods must find the inner calm without triggering deprivation. Tricky stuff indeed!

Today I want to highlight one more insight from The End of Overeating by David Kessler: planning, structure, and ritual can be tools for to healthy eating.

Our brains do not make wise and mindful choices in the emotional heat of the moment. When we are tired or stressed, involuntary responses overwhelm the rational mind. It is, therefore, most effective to call on reason when reason is most available—when we are calm and alert.

We can plan our meals, snacks, and treats in advance. We can prepare healthy foods so that they are as convenient to “grab and go” as less healthy ones. We can develop specific strategies for restaurants, potlucks, and happy hours. The key to planning and structure is to use our rational brain to build alternative paths of stimulus and response, then to use those paths consistently enough to build new habits.

Eventually, the healthier choice will become almost as easy to make as the unhealthy one. There will be new voices, and they will advocate on your behalf. “No thank you.” “Just water, please.” “Hold the cheese.” The process of change can take years to become automatic. The old wiring never really falls apart. The old voices may sound pitiful, but they are never silent.

When the balance tips toward healthier automatic behavior, the opportunity for eating with joy expands. We are able to experience food as nourishment, food as delight, and food as friend. We can move beyond food as poison, food as trickster, food as enemy.

As for Reflections, we will now move beyond our four-week focus on food. I have appreciated the dialogue you have generated around this topic. It is encouraging to know how many of us are working creatively to meet the challenge of healthy eating. It helps to have buddies.

Until the next time, go well.

Pam