August 4, 2015 Time Makes All the Difference

I've noticed that I am always in a hurry. I'm in a hurry driving, I'm impatient in line at the grocery store, and I'm a fast eater. I don't know if it stems back to early morning seminary days when I would sleep in as long as possible, then jump out of bed, get dressed, eat a rushed breakfast, and head to seminary.

Children came along and it seemed that if I wanted to eat, I'd better hurry up and get it done. Now days, I am just in the habit of inhaling my food instead of enjoying it. I can be the last one to the table and still be finished before everyone is half-way through their meal. Not good. My daughter Kimber eats at a snails pace and is full before she finishes. I want to be like Kimber. I have tried eating slow and the whole time I just feel this pent up anxiety telling me to hurry up.

Part of changing my habits has got to be more mindful eating, as well as slower eating so my body can recognize when it is full. I think I need a visual reminder - like a stop watch or countdown timer. Then I need to plan twenty minutes for a meal instead of five.

My eating today went well until about 10:30 at night when Megan pulled out the caramel corn puffs. Dang it - they are my weakness and 10:30 pm I am really vulnerable. Go to bed I told myself, you don't want that I told myself, and then I ate some.