Like many of you, I follow a lot of fitness-oriented and healthy living-focused folks on Twitter. While it’s way more than I can keep up with on a regular basis, every once in a while I find an article that really resonates with me and an article that I want to share more details about.
@EatThisNotThat is one of my favorite follows. They call out high calorie foods that you shouldn’t be eating, often comparing them to other foods to emphasize just how bad they are.
Last week, they shared an article about the “Seven Habits of Highly Obese People” and I couldn’t resist sharing details of it with you guys. While none of us want to be highly obese every again and have no interest in adopting these habits, it’s important to know what the key triggers are for obesity.
For me, I look at these habits and strive to develop the OPPOSITE behavior to make sure that I don’t fall back into unhealthy obesity. I’m prone to several of those listed (i.e. Habits 3, 4, 5) and must continue to work everyday to overcome these tendencies.
1 – They Use Larger Plates
This one makes sense to me, especially considering my recent buffet experience. If you fill that plate you are more likely to eat it. When I was at the buffets in Vegas with my larger plate, even when it wasn’t good… I found myself nibbling at it longer than I should have. Because it was there. Smaller plates – smaller temptation. Makes sense.
2 – They Look at Food While they Eat
When at buffets, they sit with a view of the food. When you’re watching food while you eat, your mind believes you want to eat more. Break this habit!
Have you ever watched Food Network over dinner? I’m pretty sure that it has the same effect. Actually, for me, it has the same effect regardless of whether I’m eating or not… it stimulates my hunger. That Guy Fieri (love him!) and Giada… they start whipping up their dishes and I’m doing a mental inventory of my fridge, and shortly after I’m eating. Moral of the story: Be careful when watching food. Check.
3 – They Eat with Maximum Efficiency
Nothing is slowing these folks down. They don’t eat with chopsticks; they opt for a fork so that they can eat more, faster.
I know that I’m a fast eater. I REALLY try to savor my food and chew extra. That takes a conscious effort on my part. For me, I find that I do better if I don’t let myself get super hungry. If I’m super-hungry, it’s hard to slow down…
4 – They Clean their Plates
This one resonates with me… I almost always clean my plate. Something doesn’t feel right about leaving something behind. I’ve got to unlearn this habit… once and for all!
In my family, it was PRAISED if you ate a lot and cleaned your plate. And, being the pickiest eater in the world, I very RARELY cleaned my plate as a kid. I think a little bit of that mentality is still in my head. Clean plate = good girl.
5 – They Chew Less
They’re fast eaters, and they don’t often take their time savoring and chewing their meals.
See my comments for Habit #3…
6 – They Dive In
The leanest folks at buffets do a spin around the buffet to choose what they want… the most obese jump in and start eating immediately knowing they can go back.
7 – They SKIP Breakfast
And those who skip breakfast are 450% more likely to be overweight. Start eating breakfast!!!
Breakfast is something that I eat every day now. Interestingly, when I was not paying any attention to what I was eating… breakfast was never on the agenda.
To see the full article, click here.
Do any of these habits resonate with you? Which one do you think is the most difficult to overcome?