Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - How do you deal with immediate guilt, if you've just pigged out?

Jessica Adlin · 02-08-2007, 12:55 PM

I also agree that guilt doesn't usally help a situation. I think the answer lies in action, in being proactive and guilt has the opposite effect...it can overwhelm you and fills your mind with negative, ultimately self-defeating thoughts.

I find that one of the best ways to take an active role is to ask myself, "what can I do RIGHT NOW to feel better..." For example, sometimes in the afternoon I feel very tired and lethargic. Often this feeling makes me want to eat a starchy snack (which I don't want to do). If I say, "ohhh, I am so tired...", my mind will go ahead and confirm this fact and I will feel all the worse and more inclined to eat junky food. If I say, "What can I do RIGHT now to have more energy", my mind will, instead, work on solving this question--perhaps I need a drink of water, perhaps I need to get up and move around. This focuses my thoughts on what I can do rather that what I just did that I wished I hadn't. Does that make any sense?

Let go of that guilt, think well of yourself!

02-08-2007, 12:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jessica Adlin Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Pacific Northwest Posts: 37	I also agree that guilt doesn't usally help a situation. I think the answer lies in action, in being proactive and guilt has the opposite effect...it can overwhelm you and fills your mind with negative, ultimately self-defeating thoughts. I find that one of the best ways to take an active role is to ask myself, "what can I do RIGHT NOW to feel better..." For example, sometimes in the afternoon I feel very tired and lethargic. Often this feeling makes me want to eat a starchy snack (which I don't want to do). If I say, "ohhh, I am so tired...", my mind will go ahead and confirm this fact and I will feel all the worse and more inclined to eat junky food. If I say, "What can I do RIGHT now to have more energy", my mind will, instead, work on solving this question--perhaps I need a drink of water, perhaps I need to get up and move around. This focuses my thoughts on what I can do rather that what I just did that I wished I hadn't. Does that make any sense? Let go of that guilt, think well of yourself!