Mindless Eating Monday and gateway drugs

Posted on February 1, 2016

Hi I'm Abby and I'm a Monday Mindless Eater, with an acknowledgement of my gateway drug.

In my earlier blog i told a tale based on real events of how I visited an organic food store and discovered Zevia, that fo-la triggered all the cravings a diet coke normally would, so i've had my cute 320 calorie bag of fiery cheetos, my i don't want to know how many calories wrapped no bake cookie, and I just cracked my artificial chemically delicious 0 calorie white monster..

How can one little can of something that is supposed to be a healthy alternative to a poor choice give you the same consequences in the end?

When does the self control kick in that says, "you deserve better than artificial sweetners, chemicals, dyes, and words you can't pronounce, pick up that apple and almond butter, you've earned it"?

I've noticed, I do get by throughout my day much better when all i eat is clean whole foods and all I drink is water, if I pick up something that is now considered a treat I will back track and the whole day will be lost.

I had an amazing breakfast, mid morning snack, and lunch, now all of that is gone because of the mindless eating triggered by my fo gateway drug.

Does anyone experience anything similar? They give themselves a treat that triggers cravings that can't be ignored/avoided and it just turns into a huge bingfest.

Has anyone found or created a diet coke anonymous group. Clearly I need help.

Anyway I don't have advice, this was more of a "I'm going to throw this out into the universe and someone who is struggling with the same situation can catch it and they will know they are not alone.. or someone who has no idea what i'm talking about will see this and not read it because it has no impact or relation to their life, they might even stomp on it like an evil puddle that needs a stomping.."

Also, i've noticed in the month of January most of the people who caused drama in my life use the word "don't" instead of "doesn't" in sentances and I found that quite annoying and people need to get it together!

Crossfit tonight will take care of the mindless eating...

I hope my silly rant about the seriousness of the diet coke gateway drug can be relatable to some of you, or maybe the silliness brightened your day.

Comment Now!

Danielle W.

02/01/2016 9:40PM

For me s not the snack itself, it's the location. For instance if I have stuff in the house, I'll eat it. If there a snack on the table at work I'll eat it. And I'll always go back for more. And more. Then I'm more likely to seek out stuff. So, my solutions are to not have it in the house, and don't allow myself a bite at work. Sucks, but that's what works for me.

anon-82db783a-43aa-46e2-b4c4-e7792f1c1af4@5218d87b-c19f-4459-918a-09bfc263e563.anon likes this comment.

Abby

Omg! So so so true!! So true! When i'm at home i'm never sitting in one spot long enough to think about grazing and I don't stock it with things that could get me in trouble either, when i'm at work with a full cafeteria down the hall, a fully stocked free snack bar and soda fridge, and then an awesome kiosk with anything anyone could want down not even 50 yards away from my desk it can be so hard to make smart choices, especially for me being an emotional eater and feeling stressed a good majority of the time! Environment has such a huge impact, but I keep raw nuts and a cute little measuring cup to have an appropriate portion and larabars. Way to go to find solutions that work for you! You certainly have found the tools to help you fight the battle and win the war! Keep going!!

LilyN

02/01/2016 2:41PM

Luckily, my gateway snacks are relatively easy to avoid: popcorn and chex mix. I'm notorious for eating entire packages, didn't matter how large they were, in single sittings. I don't go to the movies anymore and I hold my breath when I walk near places that sell popcorn. I gave away most of the chex mix that people gave me during the holidays. I did binge on a couple batches when it was chex mix from people that I know make great versions, but man were my calories through the roof on those days. I allow myself to snack in moderation on pretty much anything that I want, but these two types of snacks and the many different flavor variations that they come in are off limits as much as possible.

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Abby

You're a rockstar, LilyN! I know that homemade check mix is so hard to turn down! My finance's Dad's version is my favorite and so hard to not eat by the gallon! Good for you! I avoid the movies now because of the popcorn and the extra large medium cups you get now haha :) You're doing awesome! I'll be following you for more tricks and tips!

Biking Syl

02/01/2016 1:32PM

Yup, never fails. I found that I am doing better, if I am allowed to snack - but only clean snacks without sugar, white flour, artificial anything or crap like that. I have to keep mixed, unsalted nuts or baby carrots, or grapes, or whatever is clean available at all times. I am allowed to snack, but only on that stuff. After a while, the cravings will fade, because I get off the blood sugar roller coaster. I highly recommend that approach. After a while, you will even want to snack less overall. I really need to get back to that place, too, after the holidays messed me up. So let's make this a fresh start with clean food!

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Abby

Lets do it! Great motivation, Biking Syl, thank you so much! :)

Michelle R.

02/01/2016 12:50PM

I hear you, Abby, and am in the same boat. Not with pop, I thankfully don't like it, but I've never met a bread or pastry I could say no to. Gluten free just makes it worse. Let's support each other. I need to find a strategy that works for the long haul, not just gets me over the hump that one time. Thanks for sharing! I needed to know it wasn't just me.

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Michelle R.

I'm in Fitness Warriors 34. Yay!

Abby

WOO HOO! :)