Hi Everyone,
I’m so sorry these pearls are so late. I wrote two pearls and they just vanished. I will be getting IT work for sure.
Pearl One
I wrote early on about Brownies at Breakfast. When you and I transfer our nighttime sugar raids to eating one dessert in the morning with our coffee (before 9 am), we’re slowly weaning ourselves off of sugar. (That said, if even a bite of chocolate triggers you into a week of overeating, clearly having a brownie at breakfast won’t work for you, for now.)
Eating one dessert at night generally turns into more: a bowl of ice cream becomes two, one cupcake turns into seven. And, let’s face it, a lot of us pile the ice cream and cupcakes together for the best dessert ever.
By scheduling the treat in the morning were doing the evening habit of having two, three or more desserts at night. We’re putting sugar into a time of day when few of us go overboard on a treat and eat too much.
2) We’re helping ourselves “not feel cheated” because “everyone” is having desserts after dinner.
3) Our bodies don’t grip onto calories at night the way they do at night. I know this is a controversial idea, but those in the field of science are starting to take note, and it sure works in my life..
Here’s the upshot: the longer I told myself I could have my dessert in the morning, I’d find that I didn’t want sugar in the morning. I mean, sometimes yes, but for the most part I reach for cereal instead. ♥
Pearl Two
I heard a guy on Instagram say, “Our brains are like a supercomputer. Our self-talk is the program. Our brains are always listening when we talk to ourselves.”
Pull out your journal and write to these prompts. When I wrote, I was quite surprised at some of the answers.
I really love that I . . .
I can always count on myself to. . .
It’s taken time, but I’ve learned to be great at . . .
Learning to manage . . .
I like that I learned how to . . .
I’m tickled that I developed a habit of . . .
Next write one word to each answer. For example, these were my six words.
I’m saying this stack to myself daily and it’s been especially supportive during tough moments when it seems like the blanket of negativity is descending. ♥
Pearl Three
A sequence a week
Once you get accustomed to doing sequences, you can do them in your mind. But again I typed them out for ages. This sequence it’s roots are grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) founded by Aaron Beck in the 60’s.
The Initial Sequence
Thought (keep it to one sentence): I don’t want a Lego (my word) piece left in my back.
Feeling (keep it to one or two words): Scared.
Action: Frantically googled leaving hardware in body post-surgery.
Results: I’m panicky and wound up. Hard time sleeping and so forth.
The New Sequence
Situation (concrete): I’m scheduled for back surgery and was told that hardware will be put into my back.
Chosen Thought: I think I can learn to tolerate hardware inside of me. I can do hard things. I remind myself that “the hardware is my friend” and my surgeon, Dr. Heller, is a superstar surgeon at Emory.
Feeling (keep it to one or two words): Calmer.
Action: I don’t run around like a lunatic and get dramatic about the upcoming surgery.
Result: Best back surgery ever. I was in so much pain. And in 2016 Heller fixed it totally! Here we are eight years later, and I haven’t heard a peep out of my back.
Pearl Four
Pearl four is an amazing book recommendation; not a review, just an awesome book I want to share
Anthropcene by John Green. This a non-fiction book-dessert; the essays range from Diet Dr. Pepper to Our Capacity for Wonder. Really interesting. The reader can tell that Green had fun with this book. Nice book dessert.
Pearl Five
Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”– Angela Duckworth ♥
My book is a great way to have all of the smart eating hacks in one place. Keep it in your kitchen for morning planning. The Inspired Eater: Fed Up!
And if you’re enjoying what you’re reading, I would love it if you’d share with a friend.
Have a wonderful long-weekend!
♥ Wendy
Are you new to the Inspired Eater? Welcome!! This blog won’t make much sense until you first read the Aunt Bea post (and you’ll find Aunt Bea on this page to the right under my short bio). On your cell you’ll see it immediately following the first post. After you enter your email address, the Aunt Bea article will be sent to your email’s inbox. If it’s not there, you might check the spam folder. And always feel free to email me at Wendy@TheInspiredEater.com and I’ll get Aunt Bea right to you!
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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. ♥
