THE REGRET-O-METER

In past entries we have learned that we must set and achieve a reasonable goal weight. Then we realized that once we get to that weight, you must not say that you are now "off your diet", but rather we will say, "I now begin my life as a thin person!"

Today I will impart what may possibly be the most important aspect of maintaining your goal weight.  You must, and I mean MUST, get into a habit of rating all food to which you are exposed.  NO MORE WASTING YOUR PRECIOUS HUNGER!!  NO MORE MINDLESS EATING!! NO MORE EATING CRAPPY, HIGH CALORIE FOOD ONLY TO REGRET IT!!

When I first made it to my goal weight and began to loosen the reigns of what I could eat so to speak, I found myself feeling regret for A LOT of the decisions I made.  I would eat a fast food meal (not the healthy option) and afterwards feel gross and REGRET IT!  I would eat a dessert because it looked pretty but did not taste good and REGRET IT!  I would take an extra helping of mashed potatoes which looked and tasted wonderful, but REGRET IT BECAUSE I CAN HAVE MASHED POTATOES ALL THE TIME--I DON'T HAVE TO OVERDO IT AT ONE SETTING!

Sorry for all the caps.  I do not want to come across as yelling, but I do want you to realize how big of a deal this is.  So here comes one more sentence in caps and then I promise I will quit. 

YOU MUST REFUSE TO EAT ANYTHING THAT YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO REGRET IF YOU WANT TO LIVE THIN.

Okay, it is out of my system now....ahhhh.....that's better.

The tool that helped me tremendously was something I invented called,

The Regret~O~Meter

And here is how it works:

Let's say you are presented with an opportunity to eat something that is high in calories and fat.  Before you decide whether or not to indulge ask yourself these three questions and rate your answer according to the scale provided:

1. How often do I have access to this food?

1              2              3               4               5              6                7                 8                  9               10

I can have it when ever I want it.         I can only have it twice a year.               Once in a lifetime opportunity.

2. How good does this food taste, honestly?

1             2                 3             4                 5              6                 7                 8                 9              10

Looks better than tastes/ Pretty greasy.                 Tastes ok.       Is one of my favorite foods.     This is amazing!

3. How am I going to feel after I eat this?

1             2               3                4               5                6               7                 8                9               10

Gross/Bloated/REGRET    OK, not bad/not great.    I am going to really enjoy this.       I will feel so satisfied!

Next, add the three numbers and base your decision on the following scale:

0-12 --RED LIGHT! Don't do it!  You are going to regret it!  Save your indulgences for something you will enjoy, not regret.

13-24 --YELLOW LIGHT! There is a good chance you will regret this, so think about it a good while before you indulge.  Is this really going to be worth it?

25-30 --GREEN LIGHT! You are most likely going to enjoy this indulgence.  You don't have access to it except on very rare occasions, it tastes even better than it looks and you are going to feel so satisfied!  Go ahead and enjoy it!

So how would you rate this food choice? 

Scenario #1, the family wants to go to McDonalds.  You used to love Big Macs. 

• How often can I have it?  I would give that a 1.  I can go to McDonalds everyday if I so chose.
• How good does it taste, really? I would give that a 3.  Your answer may be different, but they really don't taste that great, especially after you get used to eating fresh, healthy food.
• How will I feel afterwards?  Definitely a 2.  I will feel gross and greasy.  Not satisfied.

So my score is a 6 at the most.  I will regret eating a Big Mac.

Scenario #2, it is the Holidays and your family has brought out all the traditional recipes.

• How often?  Well I could make these foods throughout the year, but it is not the same as when we are all together, so I give it a 6.
• How good does it taste? Some Holiday foods taste awesome, but some we just eat because that is what we have always done, so the answer will vary, but lets assume it is something really delicious. So, I will say a 7.
• How will I feel afterwards?  It's the Holidays and I am eating with my friends and family, so I am going to feel satisfied as long as I don't over eat too much.  So I will give this one an 8.

My score this time is a 21.  I am going to enjoy eating the Holiday foods as long as I only chose the items I really enjoy the taste of and don't go crazy. 

Scenario #3, It is your birthday and your presented with your most favorite meal ever at a restaurant that is far from home.

• How often? I will get to this restaurant once a year at most, so I'd give it a 8.
• How good does it taste?  You have been here before, you know how good it is!  So I would say a 9.
• How will I feel after?  I am going to enjoy this delicious meal with the ones I love and feel satisfied afterwards!  A 9 once more!

This score is a 26 and I should go for it!  I can have this wonderful meal and still be thin because I have learned how to be smart about my indulgences.

After a little practice, these 3 questions will just pop into your mind and help you avoid regretful eating.

I like to write the letters CSOR in different places to remind me of this most important key ingredient of living thin.

CSOR means Choose Success Over Regret

I know this entry has gotten a little long, but let me wrap it up with one more sentence in caps:

VERY FEW FOODS TASTE AS GOOD AS LIVING THIN FEELS, SO BE SMART ABOUT INDULGENCE FOODS!