I was cleaning up a mess in the kitchen last night and wiping down all the surfaces. Who says you can’t cry over spilled milk? This was a MESS and I felt like crying since I had just cleaned the kitchen but accidents happen.
As I was wiping down the cookie jar I starting having little cookie fantasies and on a whim I opend the lid thinking I could inhale the sweet intoxication of cookie memories. I opened the lid…THERE ARE COOKIES IN HERE!!
I know what you’re thinking, nothing so unusual or earth shattering about cookies in a cookie jar. I put the cookies in that jar around Christmas. How is it that I didn’t devour these yummy chocolate chunk and macadamia nut delicacies? I forgot they were in there!
All of those times when I really wanted something sweet, if only I had just reached my hands into the cookie jar I would have been rewarded.
When I opened the lid I noticed something about the smell. The sweet smell overwhelmed me, I felt my eyes flutter and my nose crinkle to push away the smell as I physically stepped back for a second. When I stepped forward I plucked the jar from the counter and emptied the contents into the trash. Who would have thought that I could ever feel sick from the smell of sweet cookies?
The more I thought about this the more I know that the old saying is true, out of sight, out of mind. With that thought I plan on spending time this weekend arranging my cupboards and refrigerator strategically. As if smelly neighbors didn’t do my head in, I see pancake mix every time I open the pantry door. With a bit of creative arranging, I can put the foods that I need to eat and should eat in the front and the foods I need to visit less frequently in the back.
So what about the fruits and veggies tucked away in the drawers? I already started putting single portions up on the top shelves in plain sight so they are the first thing I see when I open the door. The healthy stuff needs to be highly visible. A few months ago I saw some realistic fruit magnets, I might see if I can find those again and put them on my refrigerator.
All of these little changes we make add up and make a difference long term. Just another piece of the puzzle!
![[Valid Atom 1.0]](valid-atom.png "Validate my Atom 1.0 feed")
16 comments:
Those magnets sound like a great idea. I think they should put the veggie drawers on top, or on the door! I bet those cookies would've tasted nasty anyway!
That is a huge NSV if you ask me. Look how far you have come. MAJOR milestone there.
I like the idea in the above comment about veggie drawers on the top of the frig. There ya go, you could make millions!!
Proud of you!!
*huggles*
=0)
That was definitely a NSV! Good for you.
I like your idea of arranging things differently in the fridge and pantry. Now that hubby is eating healthier with me he needs to have easier access too. Great idea about the magnets too.
See? This is why I love to read your blog! Great ideas and inspiration! :)
Diana, I think it is way more than simply "out of sight, out of mind." I think that some pretty major restructuring has been happening in your mind, and that is AWESOME!!
You are changing from the INSIDE OUT!!! :) That's huge!!
Even better (for me at least) is to not have it in the house at all!
You reminded me of my first job. I was 12 and it was at the City Market in the bakery. They were well known for their sweets (rolls and brownies). I can honestly say that the smell of those chocolate glazed rolls made me queasy and I couldn't touch those things for years after.
Now, where is that orange of mine? (much better smell :) )
I have to agree. I know there are some things that I haven't eaten in a while that are now repulsive to me.
a while back I had a glass of root beer. It used to be one of my addictions, but I couldn't even finish it. The taste was so darn sweet I just couldn't handle it.
Surprisingly enough, I also have started to find cheesecake difficult.... CHEESECAKE! Who would have thought?!?
Oh my - you just described my absolute favorite cookie of all time. I couldnt have been as strong as you were! (where do you live...has the trash man come yet?) Just kidding of course! (?)
Way to go Diana!!
The more I think about a food, the more I crave it. So on my way home from work I think of yogurt with berries and imagine the taste in my mouth and everything, and by the time I get home, that's the only thing that I want to eat. Very useful in preventing me from chowing down on ice cream or similar!
Your progress is awesome!
Very clever plan! I like it a lot.
Out of sight, out of mind is so true. I keep my avocado pears in a nice bowl on my dining room table and often forget to use them!
I have come to realize that the minute we entertain the idea of eating something unhealthy, we're in trouble. You really have to nip it in the bud, otherwise it makes you crazy until you cave in. I have now activated my early-warning system!
That is why when I was given a gallon of schwans french vanilla ice cream, i re-gifted it to the house next door. It's there when I absolutely want it, and not here when I don't!
that is a tremendous hurdle and your point about all these seemingly small changes adding up is so right on.
forgetting the cookies were there is a *big* thing.
have a fantastic weekend.
M.
Wow! Way to go.
Nicely done. I would have caved. :(
wow resisting cookies!?! that is amazing! I know what you mean about the visualization though. if its out of sight, usually its out of mind, and if you can see all the things you should be eating, you will most likely grab those before digging deeper for the less healthy choices.
That is a great idea. Because really, how many times can a human walk by the pringles and the chocolate and not take some?
That's awesome! I've heard about so many people who do that when faced with food they don't want to eat. I think it's a great strategy.
I found your blog via a comment you left on BlogHer! :)
Personal blog: Keep Up With Me
BlogHer blog: Singles/Fitness
Post a Comment