Weight Loss Tip #14: Keep It Out of the House

Most people wouldn't expect an alcoholic to have much success if she worked as a bartender or a guy trying to be celibate visiting strip clubs. Yet, this is what those of us who eat too much often do when we keep foods in the house that lead us to temptation. I know what foods trigger binging for me: cheese curls, fudge, snickers bars, and pretty much all the good stuff! A lot of it, I just don't buy. For one, most of these items have pretty much no nutritional value, so there's not even much sense in keeping them around at all. And, if I want something in this category, I usually only buy one, even if it's a little more expensive, that way I can see it as a treat, but not an opportunity for a binge.

Now, I am no longer single and this was much easier before I had a family since not every person shares my attitude (or, to be fair, my food addiction). In some cases, I put my foot down for the sake of health. For example, I don't allow deep fried snacks in the house except occasionally. Nor do I allow pop, but that's more a matter of principle I don't like the taste of it anyway. However, I can't expect my family to embrace all my choices, especially since not everyone has a problem with food. My wife can eat half a candy bar and be done with it. I can't. However, there has to be some compromise.

In those cases, my family will often hide the stuff from me (at my urging). It sounds juvenile, but after a day I forget we even bought it and they can enjoy it in moderation. I've actually gotten to the point where most foods they used to hide I can now eat occasionally based on my own willpower. But, it took several months to get there.

Basically, my general advice is if you don't want to eat it, then don't buy it. Conversely, if you think you should be eating it, buy it. Then when you're hungry and go to grab something, healthy will be your only option.