I had a long chat with Sharon the other day and have had this word stuff in my mind since talking with her and that word is *triggers*. For me the word *triggers* means something that causes you to react the way you do, its a change reaction kinda like a set of dominoes, the triggers is that first initial push that triggers that first dominoe to fall and therefore in reaction to that first inital falling domino the rest fall.

Triggers can be used in our every day life. I know esepcially for me I have triggers that cause me to over eat, eat things I shouldn't or at times I shouldn't. Some of my triggers are boredom, depression and or stress. Some triggers can also be certain people. I know my mom is a big trigger for me, I have a hard time say no cause she wants to eat out alot and since she lives alone, I feel sorry for her.

SO, my point is look deep inside yourself and find out what/who are your triggers and for each trigger you find, find a POSITIVE action you are going to take the next time you are faced with that trigger. A positive action will help you from dealing in a negative way with that trigger. A big trigger for me is boredom, when I get bored, I eat. So, for now on when that *trigger* boredom hits, I will not turn to the refrig or the pantry I will drink a glass of water, then go out side or do some sort of physical activity for atleast 30 minutes then if that *need* to eat is still there, I will eat something healthy.


So what are some of your *triggers*??? What positive action are you going to take against these triggers??

I think boredom is absolutely my biggest trigger! When I am at work, I do SOOOO much better. Of course, even if I do get hungry, the only food here is what I bring for the day. But I have found that when I am home, if I am tempted to eat, if I come here to this board and admit it first, I am less likely to eat whatever it is. So you ladies really do help me in that regard!

Other triggers would probably be just horrible will power. For instance, I went to my MIL's house yesterday. I ate TWO brownies because they were there and looked so yummy! I wasn't hungry or bored, I was just tempted and went for it. No thought process even! Just "there's a brownie. Yum!" I am my own worst enemy most times!!

So just like an addiction to drugs or alcohol, we need to remove ourselves from our triggers. Okay, we can't remove ourselves entirely from all of our triggers, but we can begin to recognize them and learn how to deal with them. Thanks for posting this thread Laurie! Its got me thinking.....

Sharon

My triggers are boredom, angry and sadness. They push me so much to eat! The worst one is when I'm angry and alone. That one is dangerous. Because when I'm angry, sometimes, I turn it against myself and grab unhealthy things to eat. I feel miserable, might as well eat miserably!
I actually had a trigger this weekend, but for the first time in my life didn't let it get to me! I had a bag of Easter mini chocolates and wanted to eat it all since I was angry and sad at the same time. The first thing I did was to write in my journal how I felt. Then, I decided to communicate with the cause of my angry feeling. That was the best thing I could ever do. Bottom Line is I dealth with my anger and sadness instead of keeping it hidden in my body and left the chocolate in the pantry.

Francine -- I'm proud of you for recognizing the issue and taking positive action.


One of my triggers is boredom -- and I just need to find something constructive to do instead of destructive eating.

Another is sheer laziness -- I don't want to take the time to fix something healthy - it's easier to grab something quick and bad for me.

TV commercials advertising cookie, candy, pizza...

Not sure what to do about them - except resist.

Lynn