Slave to Food

There's no denying it, I'm a slave to food. In my weaker moments thoughts often turn to cravings, a morsel of cake can lead to several pieces or, if no one's watching, even more.

It's a fight to maintain self-control and I'm, afraid there will be no end to this battle. I've lost weight, yes, but it would be so easy to slide back into old habits. It would be easy to allow food to take control, after all, I am it's slave. I eat for pleasure, not simply to fuel my body.

I've read article after article. One says to slow down and eat mindfully - a really good idea in practice. A well thought out repast complete with the good china, putting down the fork between bites, chewing and really tasting what you eat. And, of course, stopping when you are satisfied, not full. Been there, done that.

Then there is the theory that revolting thoughts focused on our trigger foods can stop us in our tracks. Turn that cake into a slithering mass of snakes (yuk) and you won't want it? Hmm... I'm not too sure about that.

There are those who recommend changing your lifestyle, so it doesn't revolve around food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner shouldn't be the highlights of your day. They recommend taking on new activities to keep us busy and take our mind off thoughts of eating. Well, that works as long as we are active. But what happens when we are home after a day at work, relaxing on the sofa or in front of the television? The fridge is still there, filled with food, beckoning.

I've recommended not having anything tempting in the house. Nice in theory and possible if you live alone. But then comes that commercial for one tasty treat or another and it gets those food thoughts going. So I binge on "legal" foods - a whole container of raspberries, followed by a veggie burger and perhaps an energy bar, just in case, and maybe some fat free popcorn. Still a slave.

Then there's the idea you can re-program your taste buds. If your mouth were computerized it would be simple, but the brain is a tricky thing and we still have those creamy, sweet, fudgy memories. A piece of fruit is wonderful, but a piece of chocolate is something else entirely. I would have to install a whole new motherboard and start with a blank memory not to have those cravings.

Some advise dealing with the real issues of your overeating, those hidden emotional problems that caused you to turn to food in the first place. Great in theory but knowing the cause is not enough. Food simply tastes good.

So what's a person to do? Just keep slowly plugging away. I've been on a diet vacation and it's time to go back to work, knowing I will always be a slave to food.