An Essential Muscle to Build for Your Successful Future

For years when I saw a commercial of a rugged Jeep Wrangler climbing a mountain road I’d practically start drooling. I need a rugged Jeep to climb a mountain road too! I’d think.

Then I met a Wrangler owner of a brand new gorgeous fire engine red Jeep.

Yeah. He paid $60,000 big ones for his beauty. A thousand a month (before insurance).

Thunk. (Over I fell.)

All I can say is: Thank you Mr. Jeep-Man. Because today when a Jeep drives by I swallow hard at the mere thought of sixty thousand dollars.

And that is how you reframe.

Reframing shortbread cookies

Now — since we’re not eating Jeeps — let’s talk smart eating reframes:

This morning The Scarfer stopped at a local bakery and bought a gazillion adorable shortbread cookies with raspberry filling. I took one look at the pile of beautiful cookies, and thought, hmm I can eat two or (likely a lot) more of these or I can fit into my bathing suit for a beach-trip in two weeks. My choice.

See the reframe? When I saw the cookies, I was all, “YES!!”  But I reframed to: these so-called “treats” are swimming in butter, sugar, carbs, salt and calories. I also know that one bad decision leads to many more poor eating choices.

Plus I’d much rather fit into my bathing suit.

Was eating one of the cookies worth starting a slow slide into funky-eating-ville? Not at all. I chose my good habits over The Scarfer’s cookie buffet.

How Did I Build This Muscle?

I’m a huge believer that the more we say “no” to our temptations, the stronger our “no” muscle becomes.

Try it for a day. The more you decline funky food, the stronger your muscle will be (and p.s. the “no” muscle works on keeping food out of the house in the first place too.)

One more food reframe example

One evening my son made homemade brownies. And happily for all — that’s sarcasm –, there happened to be vanilla ice cream in the freezer.

My two sons and The Scarfer created beautiful bowls of layered brownie and ice cream, and settled on the couch for a movie. Did I want to join them?

Drrr!!

Just the four of us, brownies and Netflix? That’s how families bond, amiright?! (See what Wile E. Coyotes our brains are?) Our intelligent brains will think up any kind of nonsense to trick us into eating massive calories.

Here’s how I reframed those brownies:

I tell myself that it’s a passion of mine — and it is — to give my family a trim, healthy, happy mom who isn’t constantly complaining that her clothes don’t fit.

I always want the focus to be on my family – not on jeans that I can barely breathe in.

More Reframes

A few years back, I made a deal with myself: if I wanted a particular treat, I had to first look up the nutrition content. I’ve made a solid habit of using this reframe on the regular:

Today I always scan the calorie, fat, carb, and fiber count on a package before I toss it into the grocery cart. I also look at the serving size (often when a treat appears to be for one, it’s really intended for ten).

• At this point in the game, I cannot eat ice cream without thinking that a mere half-cup of Chunky Monkey is 300 calories with 18 grams of fat. A half-cup!!
• Or that a maple bar is packed with 240 calories and 11 grams of fat.
• And pizza? Holey-moley, google the calorie, fat, carb and sodium gram on your favorite pizza. Or maybe don’t. You’ll never look at pizza the same again.

Make reframing part of your life – and take your body back from the food-porn industry.

Remember it’s not just your imagination. Health is hard.

What is a reframe you rely on?

♥, Wendy

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I am not an expert, a doctor, a surgeon, a nurse or a nutritionist: the information within TheInspiredEater.com is based solely on my personal experience and is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. ♥