Find your passion!

I confess.

I have a secret weapon that I've used to help get me to goal.

It's stupid but it works.

Ready?

I keep BUSY. I keep busy with my hands, my fingers, and my brain. I do this by reading blogs, writing blogs, commenting on this website, and reading.

And not always reading books about binge eating or food addiction, either. Let's face it, sometimes we need pure escapism.

So I love reading novels like best-selling thrillers...(you know, US Navy Seals take on the terrorists and win novels). Brad Thor is my current favorite author.


Also romantic novels by Nora Roberts. I think I've read just about everything that woman has written (and she has written a TON of stuff).

And I play computer games.

Yep, you heard right. GAMES.

And one way or the other, I'm in another world, and I'm occupied, and the time goes by.

My husband bought me a PS3 system a couple of years ago and I sink into my favorite game and lose all track of time.

Why? Because I knew I HAD to do something to keep myself occupied and keep busy.

You see, I'm home alone a lot... and there is nothing WORSE for a food addict than being home alone!

No one to see me binge. I can do whatever I want! Eat myself out of house and home (LOL)....then run out and replace the food I've eaten. (and yes I've DONE that).

I can justify just about anything. I'm having a bad day. It's raining. I'm tired. I'm in pain. I'm sick. You name it!

It never ceases to amaze me the excuses that Fat Brain can come up with to justify my eating.

My food addiction rears its ugly head and suddenly I'm off and running, giving Fat Brain free reign. "One won't hurt" is how it usually starts....but then that is quickly followed by "Now you blew it", and pretty soon I'm bingeing.

So one by one, I have to handle these excuses, tackle them, get through them WITHOUT eating, and then (very quickly) find something else to do!

And I KNEW, I had to find a way to keep my fingers busy and my brain OCCUPIED.
Because the more occupied I was, the more 'involved' I was, the quicker the time passed, and the easier it became to stay on program.

So that's exactly what I did. I found an adventure game that I can literally play for MONTHS without getting to the end of it.....and I play it on my PS3. I love games like "Far Cry"....and all of those combat/adventure type games. My absolutely most favorite game is called "Kingdoms of Amalur" and it transports me.....takes me to another world, where I can be a mighty warrior or a thief or a sorcerer.

And the time passes.

When I get bored with that? I read. I can read a book in a DAY. I lose myself in it if it's good enough!

Or I write. Long involved blogs or journal entries that I may or may NOT publish (depending on how I feel after I've written them LOL).(which is why I believe in blogging so much).

Not only does it enable me to 'see' and analyze my own behavior, but it gets it OUT. Vents it so I feel better. I don't have to cover up my emotions with food because I get them OUT.

And I find.....ALWAYS....that I'm not alone. Somebody out there has felt just like me.
(Which is why I love this website so much).

The sharing aspect of it is so important! It gives you support to realize you're NOT alone, someone else has the same problem and has felt the same way....and maybe they can help you through it.

That's PRICELESS.

So.....want your own secret weapon?

My best advice is to FIND YOUR PASSION.

Find a way to keep busy and STAY busy. Keep your mind and your fingers occupied. Share via Facebook or this website. Play games. Read books. Knit. Play an instrument. Sing. Whatever turns you on!

Do something....ANYTHING that makes you happy and keeps you busy.

Find your passion! The time will pass....and you will find yourself suddenly looking up and going, "Hey, it's time for my next MF meal! Who knew?"
And you'll get through 'one more day' OP.
And then the next, and the next, and the next.

Pretty soon you DO start to develop those 'healthy habits' Dr A talks about. You really DO! You find yourself 'automatically' eating your MF meal every 3 hours. Automatically buying the foods you need for your Lean and Greens. Automatically logging your meals.

It all falls into place after awhile.

In the beginning, YES, it's a struggle. It's new. It's different.

But it DOES get easier.

So give yourself the benefit of TIME. Keep busy....find things to do that occupy your mind and heart, and give yourself the gift of a 100% OP day.

And then tomorrow? Just repeat.

There.

That's my secret weapon! LOL.....

Keep on keepin' on!