So you 're in school, you've had a pretty calm day, nobody teased you
yet and you're getting kind of hungry. You know you can step out and go
to the bathroom and pass the snack machine, unless you're in one of
those states that has reduced snack machines in favor of salad bars.
(I'm not knocking this; I'm for it since studies are showing that
curbing the sugar foods in vending machines is helping a lot of girls
with weight. It's also teaching a better way of snacking.)
So,
you know there's some greasy food or sugary food in the vending machine
that will hold you over, and you're really hungry. You just can't wait
snack until you go home, so what can you do?
1)
Do
you remember how great it was to drink out of the hose when you were
little? I'm not suggesting this now, but water is the answer. A glass of
water is known to reduce your appetite, and it fills you up at the same
time.
When you're hungry, it's no fun to drink water because then
you won't really want to think about the greasy, sugary, oily foods.
Why? Because you will be full, your hunger hormones will have stopped
raging and you will be balanced.
But the habit of answering the call of that midday hunger is pretty deep in you.
What's great about water is that there are drinking fountains in
most schools. So, even if they are not filtered, which many of them are,
if the water in your area is clean enough to drink right out of the
faucet, it's very much available.
ACTION STEP
Put
an empty bottle in your bag so you can keep filling it up and have all
day at your seat. And to save on manufacturing costs, why not keep the
bottle and use it over and over. Or get a fancy shmancy bottle that does
the same job. Either way, having water at your disposable is a
lifesaver.
2)
The next tip is kind of
sneaky. It requires having a full bottle of water in each class. I know
it's a pain to drink because then you might have to go to the bathroom. I
never liked to drink water at night so that I didn't have to get up in
the middle. But that was flawed thinking. The body needs it.
ACTION STEP
Drink,
at least, 8 ounces of water - that might be half your bottle - 30
minutes before it's time to eat or snack. That way, the water will make
it easier for you to stretch out the time, and it will help to balance
out your raging appetite. If 8 ounces doesn't do it, try 16 ounces. 16
ounces can't really hurt your body. It can make you full and make it
easy to control your appetite. It's also nothing anyone can tease you
over. It's always good to hydrate the body, so that's what you are
doing. Plus you will be more alert in class, even if you're just sitting
there texting in class or writing notes.
3)
Tip 3 has to do with, yes, you guessed it, water.
ACTION STEP
When
you are totally hungry, go wash your face, not drinking it, using it.
Of course, not every teacher will allow you to leave the room when you
want. But, if you can't go to the bathroom to wash your face, you also
can't go to the vending machine.
Make sure to wash your face
immediately after class, if you get the chance. It will slow your desire
to race to the vending machine or corner store. While you are washing
your face to slow down the hunger chemicals, drink a glass of water. It absolutely changes how you feel. Do it.
4)
The
4th tip has to do with what you bring from home. If you're having
trouble with weight, it's a good idea to pre-pay for your lunch so that
you can't get too much or the wrong food.
This would mean that you would make your lunch at home, if you're not on a meal plan.
This
reminds me of my coconut milk ice cream activity. If I buy a pint, I
will finish it by the end of the day. I won't carefully designate
separate dessert portions. So I rarely allow myself to bring it into the
house. Because, not only will I eat the whole container's worth, but I
will get another container for the next 3 days in a row, until I will
myself to stop through my super, duper WarriorsOfWeight Consulting
method.
ACTION STEP
Leave your money home.
Pre-pay for lunch or ask the dietician (through the school nurse) to
plan your meals for you and only give you no choice, no matter what you
ask for. You should have this discussion in private so that it is not a
source of embarrassment.
Who knows? You might start a trend where everyone starts to ask for healthy food.
5)
The
last tip is to be consistent. It's easy to take a tip and do it once.
The way it makes an impact and sustains itself is if it continues to
happen. It requires strong mindset which, by the way, you have because
struggles make us strong willed. Anyone who can overeat with vigor, has
learned a strong habit and way to act. The eating food habit can be
changed to a different behavior with the strength the habit has created.
ACTION STEP
Follow through on tips 1 through 4 and write down how often the first week. Then, it should be a more natural process.
CONCLUSION
Good
luck on this journey. Please don't give up if you continue to eat in
ways that make you gain weight. Be patient, self-loving and consistent.
Enjoy the small changes that will certainly come about. When you
implement these tips, you will see how easy and effective they are.
By
Diane Gold
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