PicsArt_07-05-08.58.48I have a favorite bowl/large mug that I enjoy eating cereal out of.  It is somehow the perfect shape and size. It is also special because my daughter gave it to me.

This is especially true when I eat a bowl of cereal before going to bed. Even more true when I eat the cereal in front of the TV….

Somehow, every time I eat cereal out of this bowl-mug, I end up eating too much.  I have a really hard time stopping until the bowl is empty! I know this.  I know this bowl is too big.  I know I need to change to a smaller bowl or mug.

.

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BUT THIS IS MY FAVORITE!fit throwing

AND….I WANT to eat while watching my show!!! 

I know I should not eat in front of the TV (for some reason I am only tempted to do this if I get hungry right before bed and I have been watching something already!)

BUT I’M HUNGRY AND I DON’T WANT TO PAUSE THE SHOW! WAAAHHHH!

 

PicsArt_06-21-11.46.33I have a stern look at what is going on here.  

Yes, I become a “mom” to that 2 year old-temper-tantrum-throwing self inside! AND, I OBSERVE and CORRECT!

When I start really looking at it, I observe that my favorite bowl/mug is too big.  I observe that when I eat in front of the TV I eat mindlessly and usually too much.

A realization hits.

I talk a lot about surrender.  I surrender my body shape and size.  I surrender the food so I can eat within hunger and satisfaction.

Am I willing to surrender my favorite bowl/mug?

Am I willing to surrender the TV show? 

(wow, really?)

It sounds so trivial now that I write it here but when I’m in that 2 year old throw-a-fit mood, it isn’t trivial right then!

As insignificant as it sounds, God is asking me to surrender these things because it is causing me to stay emotionally attached to food.

So, here is the plan.

  • I am going to hide that favorite bowl in a place where it’s very inconvenient to get when I am tempted to use it.
  • I’m going to find a cereal bowl that is the right size (about a fist sized portion) to get me from hunger to satisfaction so I won’t overeat on cereal.
  • I will turn off the TV when I’m eating. (Period. End of discussion.)

Sounds simple, huh?  But we all know that sometimes things that appear simple are really more than that.

What things do YOU need to change, surrender or give up to break an emotional tie to food?