When I was in elementary school, I was taught a phrase to help me learn my times tables. “I eight – and I eight – until I was sick on the floor, eight times eight is sixty-four.” Unfortunately, that phrase resonated with me.  I had a tendency to eat long after I was already full, especially if there were chips involved. My parents, to their credit, normally didn’t have chips in the house, but chips always seemed to be present on special occasions. 

When I was in the midst of consuming too many chips, it felt like the right thing to do. I relished the crunchy texture, the sound they made as I bit into them, and the salty flavor. It was a special treat after all, and it might be a long time before I got the opportunity to eat them again. Before the main course was served, I was full. However, because it was a special occasion, the food was way too delicious to pass up. I would pile as much food on my plate as possible. Then there was dessert, and I think I had a special stomach that appeared when dessert was offered, so I also ate it. After dessert my one stomach (there was no special second stomach) sometimes felt so uncomfortable that I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the special occasion. It wasn’t until I had made the same mistake numerous times that I was able to stop stuffing my face with chips.

Sometimes things that may feel good in the moment are detrimental for our health in the long-term. This can be overeating, staying up late, and being sedentary. If you are starting to recognize some of these patterns in yourself, but struggle to break them, I encourage to seek some help. A health coach or other health professional can help you devise strategies so that you can have more good days. 

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a safe and healthy month.