Step 4: Anticipate and Remove Temptations

“Temptation usually comes through a door that has been left open.” - Unknown

In perusing quotes on temptation, I discovered that:

a) there’s no shortage of them

b) they fall into one of two categories - the nature of temptation, and whether to yield or to resist

c) the quotes that refer to the nature are generally accurate.

Here are some examples:

Nature of Temptation Quotes

  • “Opportunity may knock once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.” - Unknown

  • “When temptation knocks, imagination usually answers.” - Dan Bennett

Yield to Temptation Quotes

  • “Lead me not into temptation … oh, who am I kidding, follow me, I know a short cut.” - Unknown

  • “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it … I can resist everything but temptation.” - Oscar Wilde

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I’ve played both sides of this argument.

I’ve done the high control thing where foods are:

  • either good or bad

  • a sign of strength or weakness

  • temptations to be wary of

I’ve also done the opposite where:

  • there are no boundaries around food

  • foods are chosen based on how I feel

  • temptations are rendered listless by allowing for them

The truth is that there’s value to both.

There are pros to resisting temptations.

We need to learn restraint.

There are pros to yielding to temptations.

We need to learn to allow.

Yet, there are even more pros to allowing for both.

In fact, for individuals who struggle with dis-ordered habits around food … you need to allow for both.

In my life, as I’ve allowed the pendulum to swing, the distance has gradually become shorter and shorter.

Simply through the process of allowing,

the hold and power of both extremes

has softened,

lessened,

been neutralized.

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And yet because of the years of struggle with power, control, and our choices …

… the yo-yo / seesaw / back-and-forth / pendulum swings can be crazy making and frustrating.

To move into a healthier place with all of this …

We need to create an environment that ensures our success.

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Have you heard of The Law of Food?

“If it is around, it will be eaten.”

Healthy or unhealthy.

Salty or sweet.

The odds of a food being eaten go way up if you keep it around.

In my house:

  • I’m a “Cookie Monster” (as I’m affectionately termed by my children).

If I keep cookies in the house, they will be consumed … by me.

  • I also love cottage cheese with raisins, a banana with peanut butter, veggies in hummus, and leftover salmon with broccoli.

If we stock our kitchen with quality snacks … that’s what I’m having for lunch.

  • Chocolate is my ultimate weakness.

The treat I keep around for myself is a 90% cocoa or 100% w/cocoa nibs chocolate bar. It sure beats the sugar-ladened milk chocolate to satisfy that dessert craving … and I only want a little bit.

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My experience shows that
the #1 KEY to eating success is

to limit your choices within the environment you have the most control over — your home …

while allowing yourself to enjoy special occasions while eating out.

Over time, and with practice …

you will do a better job of keeping out of the house what you know shouldn’t be there …

and become more effective at making quality choices for when you’re out.

Master this step to …

enjoy life AND the body you live in.

And this is what we offer to our clients so that they can gain control and feel good inside their body for the first time in years.

Strength for Life ~ in a body you love.

-Rebecca Boskovic

Rebecca Boskovic