Sunday, January 10, 2010

My Inner Chaperon

One of my intentions for this month is to restrict my refined sugar intake to once per week. I didn't fulfill that intention this past week as I ended up eating refined sugar 3 times this past week. Although I am a bit disappointed, I am pleased to have done as well as I did. Refined sugar is hard for me to resist, I'm a bit of an addict. I am pleased that I managed to only have it 3 times last week rather than the multiple times a day which I had been indulging in for the last several months. Mireille Guiliano speaks about moderation when indulging in such pleasurable treats. Now I understand moderation, but I don't execute it well.

Currently I am reading Victoria Moran's Living a Charmed Life. The author talks about the difference between one's inner epicure, who helps us to enjoy pleasure, and one's inner chaperon. It is our inner chaperon which differentiates between peak experience and the point where that peak experience dwindles into the ordinary. Ms. Moran tells the story of when she was a teenager at an airport speaking with a girl her age. She was hungry and munching on a bag of cookies in response to that hunger. She offered the cookies to her acquaintance who declined saying that she was much too hungry to eat sweets. Ms. Moran, though initially feeling annoyed, recognized that the girl cared enough about herself to wait to eat a proper meal.

This story has helped me to better understand the place of sweets in my diet and how they can be eaten in moderation. I've actually used this a few times when I have been very hungry and not only did it save me from what likely would have become binges, it helped me to understand that I can much more easily control myself around sweets if my hunger is satisfied by healthier choices. Because my hunger is either completely satisfied or mostly satisfied, I don't feel deprived if I have only a little bit of sweets.

Now when I'm ravenous and seeing a refined sugar option, I tell myself, "I am much too hungry to eat sweets" and I understand what moderation is all about. For me, it is primarily keeping myself out of situations that can quickly turn excessive.

9 comments:

  1. This is an excellent post! Something clicked with me reading it. Mindlessly eating sweets is something I am guilty of and need to place under moderation. I feel better when I don't eat them actually. Thanks for the information!

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  2. i just noticed that you added an image from my blog to the 'lingerie carousel' - thanks!! that's one of my favorite pics too!

    and btw i completely related with the issue with sweets. i'm chewing gum right now to get past my craving for dessert!
    xox alison

    www.froufroufashionista.blogspot.com

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  3. I love Victoria Moran's books....I am with you on the sweets..that is my vice - but I definitely am trying to eat healthier this year and have been able to curb the sweets a bit - especially after the holidays!

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  4. Stephanie, I'm so glad you too connected with this. I've found that this "mantra" really helps with my mindset.

    Cathi, I've only just discovered Victoria's writings, so far I am greatly enjoying them.

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  5. Alison, Thanks so much for stopping by. I adore your blog and the images there are very inspiring. Though it's not lingerie, I am completely enamoured of the Abaete swimsuit on your site. Inspiration for my keeping sweets at bay!

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  6. I really like that idea. Thank you for sharing what you have read.

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  7. I have a sugar addiction too! I often say I should reduce my intake, but it's so hard! And it's wreaking havoc on my waistline...

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  8. Treacle, I hear you about the waistline. I need to do some serious work so fit into the lingerie I want to buy! LOL

    Vanilla, Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  9. I like your blog! CHEERS! Michele

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I so enjoy reading your sweet comments.