Third Happiness Boost

Guilt and eating seem to hang out together. I know because sometimes I feel guilty for devouring too many chocolate malts in a month. I love them with a passion.

When you love something that much, it becomes like a romance that you can't quit thinking about. In a weak moment, it can get the best of you.

Like the day I was cleaning the rain gutters on my house when the thought, "I'd love to have a chocolate malt" popped into my mind. The more I thought about it, the more my desire turned into malt lust. In less than an hour, I was at an ice cream shop consuming one of the really huge malts, the kind that comes in a metal container about the size of a bucket.

If I always went for chocolate malts when the urge came over me, I'd need a sofa, instead of a chair, to sit on. Fortunately, I've found a creative way to shift my thinking to keep my romance with chocolate malts in check.

In the past, when I got an urge for a chocolate malt, I was completely focused on the first taste. I knew it was going to be delicious.

Now when I have that thought, I shift my thinking to the last taste. What will follow the last taste? Probably a bit of guilt, the thought "I really didn't need that," and maybe slight nausea from the huge sugar and milk-fat injection.

As soon as I shift to the last taste, my desire for the malt subsides just enough for me to make a freer choice about it. I've passed up dozens of malts this way, and that's why I can still sit in a normal-sized chair. Don't get me wrong, I still have chocolate malts, but not every time I tell myself I want one. I've also used this practice with great effect to pass up bags of potato chips, doughnuts, and pie a la mode.

Having more control over what I eat has made me a happier guy.

When you fall into food lust, try imagining the last, not the first, bite of the food you're lusting after. It will give you greater choice and control over your eating habits. That will make you happier and even healthier.

Next, try "The Ten Commitments" for growing happiness or "The Happiness Prayer".

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		Third Happiness Boost Guilt and eating seem to hang out together. I know because sometimes I feel guilty for devouring too many chocolate malts in a month. I love them with a passion. When you love something that much, it becomes like a romance that you can't quit thinking about. In a weak moment, it can get the best of you. Like the day I was cleaning the rain gutters on my house when the thought, "I'd love to have a chocolate malt" popped into my mind. The more I thought about it, the more my desire turned into malt lust. In less than an hour, I was at an ice cream shop consuming one of the really huge malts, the kind that comes in a metal container about the size of a bucket. If I always went for chocolate malts when the urge came over me, I'd need a sofa, instead of a chair, to sit on. Fortunately, I've found a creative way to shift my thinking to keep my romance with chocolate malts in check. In the past, when I got an urge for a chocolate malt, I was completely focused on the first taste. I knew it was going to be delicious. Now when I have that thought, I shift my thinking to the last taste. What will follow the last taste? Probably a bit of guilt, the thought "I really didn't need that," and maybe slight nausea from the huge sugar and milk-fat injection. As soon as I shift to the last taste, my desire for the malt subsides just enough for me to make a freer choice about it. I've passed up dozens of malts this way, and that's why I can still sit in a normal-sized chair. Don't get me wrong, I still have chocolate malts, but not every time I tell myself I want one. I've also used this practice with great effect to pass up bags of potato chips, doughnuts, and pie a la mode. Having more control over what I eat has made me a happier guy. When you fall into food lust, try imagining the last, not the first, bite of the food you're lusting after. It will give you greater choice and control over your eating habits. That will make you happier and even healthier. Next, try "The Ten Commitments" for growing happiness or "The Happiness Prayer". top/ home