To stop food addiction requires some of the old saying of “patience is a virtue” as is sometimes said when someone was becoming inpatient. It probably took you a long time to put on that extra weight. For me it was 20 some years. If you want a permanent change, it’s going to take a while to take it off. We all know by now that quick-fix diets (“Lose 20 Lbs. By Monday!”) or just plain diets don’t work—your body simply doesn’t work that way, and neither does your mind. Both will need some time to adjust in order for your weight loss efforts to be successful. So be patient! It can take time to change things.

Those who get the results in food addiction recovery are persistent and consistent—they know not to hold out for easy, fast, and magical approaches. And if your weight does come off quickly, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If it does not then there is more “grist for the mill” to work on.  You are discovering as a food addict what does not work in your plan. That in itself is a win. 

Here is a quote I love on the value of patience:

“Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when

they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds

 anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence,

 decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.” 

Brian Adam

Food Addiction Recovery Requires Discipline

One of the key parts of this quote is “Apply discipline to your thoughts…” in this quote. The word discipline according to Merriam-Webster is defined as “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character” at least in one usage. So what are some ways a food addict develop patience? Try some of these for now:

1.  Realize you can’t control the universe, anyone else and even you at times. You need to learn to accept the things you can’t control. 
2. Take up meditation on a daily basis. Even if it is just 10 or 20 minutes per day.
3. Realize that like you, other folks are mistake makers. You need to expect folks to make mistakes and not lose patience with them when they do. 
4. Go to Amazon.com and check out books on developing patience.

OK friends, that is it for today on food addiction recovery. Catch you next post.