Responding to Hunger Signals

When we were children or when we remember raising our small ones, we often conjure up images of coercing and cajoling our children to eat. Sometimes, we were threatened by statements such as not getting dessert unless we ate our main course..not being able to leave the table to play with our friends, etc. We were usually skinny little ones with not one ounce of fat on our bodies and we could care less about eating "real" food. Sure we loved candy, cakes, ice cream, etc, but a juicy steak, potatos, etc...who cared?

When and how does that change? At what point does it switch over and we start making our eating choices based on issues other than hunger? At a restaurant after that appetizer, basket of warm bread, large main course and side dishes, who actually feels the concept of "hunger" when the waiter brings out that tempting dessert tray? Of course we feel no hunger, but oftentimes, a dessert is ordered anyway.

Sometimes we find ourselves eating because it is "eating time" or finishing a large portion at a resaurant because we are not going directly home, the food will spoil in the car and we don't want to "waste" food.

Trying to re-learn the concept of eating in response to actual hunger is important in helping long-term weight loss. Try this as a test today: everytime you are about ready to put in a mouthful of food, ask yourself the question before you do it: "Am I Hungry?"

Different subject: Anyone interested in an organized walk or run at Burke Lake Park on a Sunday in August? I was thinking about advertising this in the office as a fun event...the staff and I would come out..we could gather at the amphitheatre area near the fitness trail around 9am and then do the park trail...4.5 miles..either a walk or run. We would provide the water and drinks...please let me know your level of interest: my e-mail is Serotab@aol.com