Out of Sight, Out of Mind, Off My Hips!

I can’t believe I ate the whole box!

You may be thinking I have this eating healthy thing all figured out and have no trouble avoiding unhealthy choices.

That would be incorrect.

I’m tempted constantly, mostly by sweets and baked goods.  If it is in the house, I’m going to eat it. The cookies call to me. “Just one won’t hurt!” But it is never just one.

How do I deal with it? I keep the tempting stuff out of my house, or I hide it.

Okay, yes, it is a little like hiding your own Easter Eggs – I DO know where it is. Yet, just having the tempting treats out of sight makes a difference.

The girls have a plastic container of candy in one of the cupboards. When they get treats at a party or on a holiday, they sort through, throw out the things they don’t like or that are “garbage candy” (just sugar, no taste) and put the rest away.  They know they can have one piece on Saturday and one on Sunday.  I have a spot in the same cupboard for my chocolate.  I indulge in one or two pieces at the end of the day. (Yes, I get a treat every day – the girls less often, I’m the mom, I need my chocolate!)

Baked goods are a little more difficult.  The leftover birthday cake in the fridge mocks me.  The cookies on the counter are just too easy. The freezer is my savior. I can even resist an open box of Girl Scout cookies in the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind – off my hips!

Recently, our freezer broke and as I unloaded the items into the cooler so I could fix it, there wasn’t enough room for an open box of Girl Scout cookies. Uh oh.

As I worked the cookies called to me. Just one. Maybe one more. Just another…

Yep, I admit it. I ate the whole box.

Sigh.

More time on the treadmill.

Being healthy isn’t about being perfect.  Sometimes the box of cookies is just begging to be eaten. If you, like me, give in to temptation, don’t let one slip derail your healthy habits. Tuck away the tempting treats, put some fruits and veggies on your plate, move around and feel better.

Life is not about perfection. It’s about moving in the right direction!

Get those treats out of sight and move in the direction of a healthier you.

Eliz Greene works with busy women who want to improve their heart health so they can live longer, feel better, and stress less.

As the Director of the Embrace Your Heart Wellness Initiative, Eliz travels the country providing down-to-earth, ag-friendly, and energizing keynotes and workshops on women’s heart health. She is the author of 3 books and writes one of the top 50 health and wellness blogs. Find more at www.EmbraceYourHeart.com.

Eliz Greene survived a massive heart attack while seven-months pregnant with twins, struggled to lose the 80 pounds gained during her pregnancy, and searched for a way to hold on to the perspective and passion she found in her near-death experience. Drawing on her background as an adaptive movement specialist, Eliz developed simple strategies and tips to help other busy women be more active, eat better and manage stress.