Don’t Check Out While Eating Your Meals (be present)

How do you check out while eating meals? Some people check out without realizing it but checking out means that you don’t pay attention to the eating process because you are preoccupied.

Preoccupation while eating causes a few things to happen. Below are a few things that happen when we check out while eating meals/snacks.

Eating Too Much

One thing that happens when we don’t pay attention to the eating process is that we overeat.

We don’t plan to overeat; it sneaks up on us because we are absorbed in other activities that don’t have anything to do with eating.

We should be aware of what we are eating and not allow ourselves to be distracted.

Distractions cause us not to detect when we’ve had enough food. And we’ll eat because it is an activity to do while being distracted.

Eating Too Fast

We live in a fast-past society, and it seems like everyone is in a hurry to get things done.

When it comes to food, we should slow down, but most of us don’t slow down.

We eat fast because we move fast naturally. And we wonder why we have indigestion, bloating, or gas?

There comes a time when we must slow down and if it means taking a little longer to eat, then do it.

Some people think wolfing down meals is something to celebrate, but it is not.

Try slowing down the next time you eat and notice how you feel.

To slow down, you have to be present; you cannot check out, check in with your meals and enjoy it to the fullest.

Not Being Aware

The last thing that checking out while eating a meal does is that it hinders awareness.

Eating a meal should be a time when we focus on the meal and only the meal.

I know focusing solely on eating is challenging but start practicing it and see what happens at your next meal.

If you are having lunch or dinner with family or friends, be sure that you are aware of the food.

If there is an unpleasant conversation, shut it down as soon as you can because your mind and body need to be at ease and not stressed by something that upsets you.

Final Words

Allow yourself to be present while eating your meals. Your mind must be present; you cannot check out and allow any distractions to get you off track.

Check in with your food each time you eat and notice what happens.

You’ll probably notice that you recognize when you’ve had enough to eat.

And you’ll also take more time chewing and enjoying the food as well as the company in which you share your meals.

Stay checked in with your food. Don’t check out.

Until next time.

Take care of you and OWN IT!

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