How many of you have over-indulged in comfort foods, and said, “Eh…I’ll start eating better tomorrow!” *News Flash, “Naw you ain’t! You ain’t gone start eatin’ betta tomorrow if you eatin’ horrible today! You probably have said that since forever. “ If you want to start eating better, here is what you should do:

1. The first thing you should do is recognize that you have an unresolved issue. Maybe you’re addicted to food, and force yourself to overeat because of your cravings. Or maybe you’re eating while processing your thoughts and emotions, and by the time you realize it, you’ve overate. Sometimes resolving those things that stress us out, simultaneously resolves our bad eating habits. I’m not sure what the problem is, maybe you’re just greedy and love food like me. Only you can determine what the problem is. If you are engaging your brain in other activities while you eat, try to stop doing that. Sit down, and eat without the TV on.  The reason studies say don’t eat and watch TV is because your brain is too busy empathizing with the emotions of characters, and it’s not focusing on getting full. Clear your mind, and enjoy your meal and eat slowly. While I was watching Good Times one day, I found myself chewing to the beat of the theme song. So not cool, and that’s way too fast!

2. The second thing you should do once you recognize the problem, is perform test runs to find out what works best for solving your problem. If you have an addiction to a certain type of food, stay away from it. It’s just like alcoholics, or drug addicts, you can’t just have a little because you’re addicted. If you’re addicted to a food, just say no to it! For me, its bread. I have to just say no to it, otherwise I’ll over indulge every time. There is no point in trying to convince myself I won’t over indulge. I am not to be trusted around bread, no more than a crack addict is to be trusted around crack. Bread and other carbohydrates is my crack!

3. The third thing you must do is be patient and consistent with the resolution to your problem. You may mess up in the beginning more often than you’d anticipate. Every day may be a struggle to exercise self-control over your eating habits, but at every meal, you have a chance to start over. Don’t wait until tomorrow, start today. This may seem like I’m being overly optimistic, but it works. It took me 20 years to realize I was addicted to carbohydrates, and then 9 years before I stopped saying, “Eh…I’ll start eating better tomorrow.” For the past couple of months I’ve been testing out solutions to my food addiction problem, and I am just starting to gain self-control. It takes practice and patience to learn how to develop self-control, and only you and God know the best way for you to overcome your struggles. But I hope my advice gives some insight on overcoming your bad eating habits starting today on the next meal, and not tomorrow.