weird daily rituals I stole

Ritual 1: I put my fork down between bites. I used to eat like somebody was about to steal my plate. Now I take a bite, put the fork down, chew, and then pick it back up. It gives my stomach enough time to actually tell my brain what’s happening before I’m three bites past comfortable. Ritual 2: I don’t drink with my meals. I get my water in between meals and give myself space around eating. I already have limited room in there, and washing everything down while I eat has never made sense for how I want to use that space. Ritual 3: I portion nuts before they ever make it into my hand. I am NOT sitting down with a family-sized bag of almonds and trusting myself to somehow remember what ¼ cup looked like 17 handfuls ago. They go into little containers first and that’s the portion. Ritual 4: I make myself sit down to eat. No bites over the sink, no eating while I’m cooking, no grabbing something every time I walk through the kitchen. If I’m actually going to eat, I make a plate and my ass goes in a chair. Ritual 5: I set a 20-minute timer when I start eating. It sounds a little ridiculous until you realize how easy it is to inhale a bariatric-sized meal in five minutes. The timer reminds me that there is absolutely no prize for being the first person finished. Ritual 6: I make leftovers smaller BEFORE they go in the fridge. I don’t put an entire dinner-sized portion away and then expect tomorrow-me to magically stop at the right amount. I portion it when I’m cleaning up so tomorrow’s meal is already handled. Ritual 7: I ask for the to-go box when my restaurant food arrives. Restaurant portions are insane compared with what I actually need. I put away what I know I’m not eating before I start, then I can enjoy what’s on my plate without spending dinner negotiating with the other 70% sitting in front of me. #bariatricsurgery