HOW to "INDULGE" (aka treat yourself)

How would you rather live your life?

You constantly worry about what you are eating. UGH I made a bad decision again. Or, UGH I can’t have this, or that, and definitely not that.

Or… you give yourself the power to make the best decision in the moment for your body, how you want to feel, and what you want to achieve. You don’t worry, because you know that you are in control. You experience joy – even when you choose the kale salad or forgo a night of drinking wine. Because, it feels good.

If you live every day anxious and worried--are you enjoying your life?

Are you really living?

Boiled down, I think the point of being alive, maybe, is to LOVE -- no?

Yourself.

Your life.

Your decisions.

Maybe your things.

Other people….

Say you focus your energy on that love. It makes a good filter for all of your thoughts and actions around food.

You are taking care of yourself out of love for yourself, your body, your health. And all of the great things you have to look forward to. What does this look like? I’m going to pack myself a lunch of chicken and veggies because it tastes great and I feel great after eating it so I have energy to get through the afternoon. <-- That's one way it looks.

If there are days or times that you want an indulgence, you do that from the SAME filter of LOVE. AKA, don't waste it on filling another crappy void like anxiety or comfort. 

My good friend said it best:

“Indulging because I love myself, not because I need comfort. That really helps. Like a lot.”

Exactly.

Be mindful.

If you are visiting with family and you really want the lobster mac, because you like, really want it, you want to treat yourself – then have it.

Decide how much you can have of it so you still feel ok after (aka do you want to feel bloated and gassy? Maybe just have one scoop then!)

If you are getting home after a long day of work and are stressed and “don’t have time to eat something healthy” and “need chinese takeout ASAP” – well, hold up. That’s an entirely different situation.

You are not being mindful.

You are not approaching this from a filter of love for your body.

And you are trying to cover up the STRESS you feel with food.

That’s different.

Do you see why?

Most likely, you aren’t going to feel shitty after scenario A. You enjoyed the food. You were present in the situation. You were in a good place. You were being mindful. You don’t feel guilty about it. You are confident it won’t take you off course.

You are going to most definitely feel shitty after scenario B. And you’re still going to be stressed. Food doesn’t fix stress, comfort, or loneliness. You are going to feel like you royally f-ed up and NOW what?! May as well have dessert, and I’ll prob skip the gym tomorrow too because who knows when I’ll get back on track. Yup.

The lesson here is as follows. Indulging is okay (when it comes from the right place).

The right place is:

...attentive to your meal

...thoughtful about what you are eating and why

...not using the food to fill a void, not feeling guilt afterwards

Remember.

If done correctly - it was one meal. You have, like, hundreds, THOUSANDS, of others coming up.

Remember.

The build-up of bad decisions is what leads to issues.

The build-up of good decisions and consistency is what leads to health.

If you saved $1 a day that adds up, but alone, that dollar …AIN’T MUCH. (Apply here.)