Because I deserve it
Posted by Paola
I had a couple of mini-binges today after a couple of unpleasant encounters with people.
I wrote on my food diary pad “annoyed with jeweller” just before I scraped out the last dregs from the jar of chocolate hazelnut spread to which I’d added sultanas, bran flakes, a heaped teaspoon of peanut butter and yoghurt.
The second binge, a few hours later, was documented as “annoyed with Marcus throwing stones”. To a bowl of tinned spaghetti, I added a veg burger, an egg and ALSO had a bread roll with spread.
Both times I very consciously thought “I’m pissed off and upset, I DESERVE this treat.” Of course, the first encounter sort of made the second encounter, which I provoked, inevitable. One self-pitying treat, maybe, but TWO?
It’s a pain that food is associated with celebration as well as misery. And it fills times of boredom, as well as grabbed during busy times.
What do you do instead of eating when you’re feeling sorry for yourself and wanting something lovely to make it all better?
Ginni said,
28 April 2009 at 5:06 am
Pamper yourself. Put on a face mask or paint your nails until the desire to binge goes away.
I was tempted to binge a couple of times today, and I had a glass of water and then treated myself to a long bath full of beautifully scented Bath Bombs that Julie brought from London. I then spent half an hour scrubbing myself with the Sanctuary treats that Julie brought for me. I must have spent a good 2 hours in the bathroom today, and I did not want to dirty myself with food after I came out!
As soon as my son saw me, he said, ‘you look clean mum’ and it made me realise that perhaps I have been letting myself go quite a bit lately. Time to pamper myself with little treats every day whilst I am at home. It takes my mind off food and makes me feel really good.
Pewari said,
28 April 2009 at 9:09 am
I promise myself gin in the evening once the kids are in bed (not terribly constructive I know ;) )
Other strategies I use are shutting myself somewhere and playing really LOUD AND ANGRY music. I keep meaning to set up a playlist on iTunes so it’s easier to find the aggressive songs more easily, gradually changing to calmer songs to guide me back to sanity.
If it’s practical, then getting out the house for a walk/cycle or having a high-aerobic-style exercise routine to do gets it out of my system too – anything which channels the frustration elsewhere (fresh air is good too as it clears your mind and gives you perspective, ime).
Sylvia said,
28 April 2009 at 7:36 pm
I’m a little bit lucky in that respect because when I’m annoyed with someone, what I really want is a cigarette. I’m not saying I wouldn’t accept food as a trade-off (this is a lot to do with the weight I am now!) but it’s not really an instinctive connection for me.
However, as I can’t have a cigarette what I tend to do is go for a walk. No goal, no real direction or expectations, just set out and grumble to myself until the grumbling slows and I either 1) am more annoyed and am marching towards the person for a confrontation or 2) am less annoyed and able to get on with things. Thinking about it, I used to do this as a teenager/young adult and fell out of the habit until recently.
Ginni said,
29 April 2009 at 5:43 am
Isn’t that amazing how we all deal with situations so differently and in our own individual way. I love the idea of Marching out for confrontation or even blaring the loud music …. but I know, I could not do either of them.
I am more likely to put a DVD on with Sex and the City or Will & Grace and deal with a stash of ironing… or put on a trashy Indian movie if I am really down in the dumps!