Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Afternoons

I usually get hungry in the afternoons. Usually, sometime between 3 and 4 I am hungry...the kids are resting...I want a snack...something salty, then something sweet, then...I've pretty much eaten a full meal! Okay, that doesn't happen every time. Sometimes I just don't eat at all. Sometimes I am self-controlled enough to stop at a small snack. But lately it has been hard.

Technically there's nothing wrong with my eating to fullness in the afternoon except for the fact that I will not be hungry for dinner. Then I have to choose either to not eat dinner with the family or eat dinner when not hungry.

And there's the guilt.

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Romans 7:15

I want to be able to skip the snack altogether. Just eat 3 meals a day and maybe a bedtime snack if I have an early dinner. So, I re-commit again to doing that. But when the time comes, my thoughts go like this, "I am hungry. I can eat when I am hungry. I will just eat a little. Okay, just a little more..."

Please pray for me. I really do think I need to skip the snack. Mainly because it is just so hard for me to keep it small. Instead of a small snack satisfying me, I just want more.

So, to help myself stay accountable, I will check back tomorrow and let you know how it goes tomorrow afternoon. Because in case you can't tell, I blew it this afternoon. :-(

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25



5 comments:

Eric Guel said...

With confession and moving forward, you're on the right track!

Missy said...

Good for you for recognizing that hour of weakness!

I've found that thinking about "why" I feel like eating helps. Because it's somedays and not others, maybe you weren't quite full at lunch - just needed another bite or two? Are kids napping at that hour and you "deserve" a treat?

Just some thoughts. I'm praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Brandi, I shouldn't jump in and say anything. I promised myself I wouldn't say anything else about eating to you...but I'm going to break my promise and say...

Don't beat yourself up! If you are hungry - eat. Maybe you need to eat more at lunch or eat something for your snack that will fill you up...like a sandwich or half a sandwich or whatever...fruit is a good filler if eaten with something else - like a sandwich. I often eat a sandwich with no bread...meat, cheese, and a pickle/olive rolled up... or wraps...they are a little lighter than bread.

Eat pretzels...they aren’t real good for you, but they are low in calories, salty and filling... Drink a lot of water with whatever you eat.

If you do eat a lot during your "snack", then eat a little less at dinner (just so that you are still sitting down and eating dinner with everyone) but be sure to eat enough to tide you over until the next day. Or eat only a salad for dinner. Make salad for you and Eric and feed the kids whatever...eat a salad for your snack. Put a sweet dressing on it or add fruit. Put it in a small bowl or on a small plate so that you don't eat too much. Don't eat out of a bag, etc...

Maybe dinner is too late or lunch is too early.

I don't know if you do this, but you don't have to eat lunch with your kids...eat it a little later if you want...

Just a few thoughts. Probably none of them are new to you…just tossing things out. No judgment! Now I'm getting off your blog and I'm going to stay away so I won't be tempted to comment again. ;)

Brandi said...

Missy--thank you for praying! That is a good question...why? I think many factors may play into it. General anxiety, thinking I deserve a treat. I will keep your idea in mind. Stopping to ask, "why?" Because although there is total freedom to eat when I am hungry, I do want to be able to wait a while if that works better for myself or my family. I don't want to be a "slave" to hunger, you know?

Dani--Thank you for all of your thoughts and tips. They are super!! And many of them I have not thought of or had forgotten. Thanks! I value your insights! :-)

I may try eating lunch later and without the kids...less distraction.

BTW--I made it through this afternoon great. I haven't even gotten hungry for a snack. I think I may have eaten a more satisfying lunch. Maybe that is the key...

Debs said...

how's it going with the snack stuff?
Just thought I'd drop by to say hi.
*hugs and prayers*
Dx