First I love my Step DVD. I am not having a problem with exercise, it is food. I realize this is a mental issue. I start out doing good and by bed time I have blown it all to pieces. Any tips or suggestions.

 Hi Pam,

 I think this is not just another question, but this could be the question of the century when it comes to EATING for any binge or compulsive eater who has weight loss as a goal.

 I am exercising but why am I sabatoging myself at night time?. This behavior is very deep emotionally as well as psychologically. It is not so cut and dry as one would think. There are many reasons we do this to ourselves but at the top of my list is this — we are dealing with a long history of this behavior in which food has become friend, enemy, lover and comfort. At night, when we are all alone, it is so easy to reach for something because the day is finished and you want what you want and you will deal with it tomorrow but for now you will have it. We do not stop to think that we certainly do not need it but old actions certainly come back to haunt us on a daily basis. I know, as it happens to me all of the time. Sometimes I give in but most times I do not.

 I have realized over the past 10 years or so that larger women are working out now more than ever but weight loss is not always the final prize. While more and more women realize that exercise is important to achieve any weight loss I am not convinced that they have a clear perspective on how important an effect food has on long term results. And yes, you are right, food for most of us is MENTAL. We eat too much of it, we think too much about it and we spend too much time eating it.

 One thing I learned many years ago was to make sure I eat enough during the day because if not I gave myself the permission to eat what, where and whenever I wanted to. I had no boundaries and just did what I did because that is all I knew. Well, it is time to come to terms with eating and food. Once food becomes fuel for your body and not an instant gratification for our sorrow or lonliness we can fully begin to understand that we can take control of this and while yes you may think you blew it right then in reality it is a tiny piece of the puzzle of your life.

 It is time to think about your actions, be accountable to you and realize you have complete control over your choices and even if the better choices do not happen all of the time make it most of the time!

Hugs,
Debra