Little pickers wear big knickers!!

The kids are back to school next week. This can be a tricky time for the Mammies (and Daddies) who are left at home, like myself, and who are trying to watch their diet.

It starts first when we are making their lunches, they don't like crusts, sure Mammy or Daddy will eat them! Some cheese in their sandwiches, sure Mammy or Daddy must have a taste to make sure it tastes ok. Some yummy meatloaf from that great blog, sure we must have a taste of that, and it goes on and on... Once you have gotten them out the door to school it is now time for yourself, so what do you do? Have a cup of tea and maybe something nice to go with it. Throughout the day then, if you have some down time, you might be tempted to raid the fridge or the press. Then it comes to lunch time for yourself and whoever might be at home with you. More picking as you are making lunch...  dinner time, more picking....  This cannot happen. We must think of ways to avoid picking all day long, or else the lbs will creep on without us even realising it!

Here are some tips to keep us away from that silly disease called "pickitis" (I think I've watched too much Doc McStuffins!)

• Chew gum. As soon as you are finished your breakfast, chew gum whilst making lunches. 
• Once they are dropped to school, go for a walk, or some kind of exercise. Even a twenty minute walk, just get away from the house so you are not tempted. When you come back then you don't want to undo your good work!
• Start a blog! Writing keeps you very busy indeed :)
• When you are preparing food, imagine that it tastes horrible, even imagining something tastes off might turn you off it! The mind is a very powerful tool!
• Just be strict with yourself, tell yourself "No, you can't have that!". Even try saying it out loud!
• Put on your radio and dance around the kitchen!
• If you are tempted by something sugary, remind yourself that you will only get a temporary high from it, and that you will not be satisfied by one biscuit or one sweet, you will definitely want more, so what's the point!
• Imagine yourself feeling slim and healthy and wonderful. Picking all day long at junk will not help you achieve this.
• Put a photo of yourself that you don't like, or someone that you wish to look like, on your fridge and press door.      
• Every time you are tempted by food, distract yourself by doing squats ! 
• Or distract yourself by doing housework, declutter your house, sort out those jigsaws that are all mixed up ..
• Just find something to distract yourself!!

Before you know it then, the day will be over and you will be delighted with yourself that you didn't spend the day picking!

Hope some of these tips help!