Over the years, we've talked a lot about the tapes that run through our heads, but we've more often discussed the negative aspects (ugly things we say to ourselves, etc.).

This year, I developed a new tape. It's a tiny one--only one word!--but it has proven quite effective. It has been a struggle during my journey began to not go on auto-pilot when I am buttering toast or a bagel and use too much, like I did in the old days. I eat MUCH less bread for breakfast than I used to, but I still have my bagel treat once or twice a week and, even though I use Smart Balance Lite, it's still good not to overdo it.

One morning a few months ago, I was buttering a bagel, and as the knife started across the bagel, I had an idea. I decided that every time I was buttering toast or a bagel, I would say the word "horseradish" to myself. Why? Because horseradish (the real stuff that I use) is very hot and a little goes a long way. So I started telling myself to spread butter as if I was spreading horseradish...very lightly.

Sounds silly, but it has stuck with me!

Do you have any positive internal tapes that help you stay on track?

quote:

Originally posted by Coaster Girl:
Sheri, I thought about your horseradish this morning while buttering my pancakes. LOL (I use smart balance lite too.)

Hey, that's pretty cool...my word got transferred to your brain!

Sheri, I thought about your horseradish this morning while buttering my pancakes. LOL (I use smart balance lite too.)

GOOD one, Iz!!!!!

Black Beans

the bio father of dd was really depressed guy who blamed me for everything. one evening, he came home late from his music studio. earlier, he had asked me to start a pot of black bean soup; so the pot was on the stove. he got home after midnight and went to check on the pot. he was furious because i had not put all of the sausage in the pot. (I am not a huge fan of lots of sausage) so he had a tantrum at 1am. I was fast asleep, since i was primarily supporting the household (and our new baby) with my fulltime job. he came into the bed room at 1am and screamed at me, waking me up, all about the damned black bean soup that i screwed up. i made a conscious decision at that point that I would leave this man. within 24 hours, i was gone, with dd, living with my best friend.

when i have those moments when i am fed up, and thinking "this is just too hard, I want to eat all the ice cream in the freezer." i think "black bean" and i remember that i have shown greater courage before. i can stand up to ice cream, for sure.