I love to indulge as it always brings a natural feel good high. Bring on those happy high hormones – the dopamine hit, which spikes when we experience something pleasurable.
Working with my clients at their follow up, motivation, and accountability consultations we often set rewards that intrinsically appeal to them. There are no hard and fast rules about what clients want to “indulge” and reward themselves with. I have noticed that when it comes to food, especially desserts and alcohol my clients make them taboo.
When it comes to rewarding yourself with a little indulgent treat – be it your favourite ice cream, chocolate, lollies, cake, red wine etc, it’s all about moderation and not overindulging.
If people don’t make treats taboo or forbidden it means that they don’t have to feel bad when they indulge. Denying people their desires and forcing them to go without can set people up to overindulge on the treats that they really want later.
If people are craving something like a piece of chocolate cake, go ahead and truly enjoy it, mindfully. There are numerous mindfulness practices that people can do whilst eating, to appreciate their treats. These practices can reduce how much people eat. Part of changing lifestyle habits is to not make rewards taboo and indulge in moderation. Rewarding yourself matters especially when achieving your wellness goals.
I always encourage my clients down the path to a healthier lifestyle by providing healthy treat rewards that are wholesome nutrient dense and not toxic. Sounds boring you may think. Never – take red wine it has antioxidants which help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Feel free to direct message me for my information sheet on “Not all Calories are Equal” and my most luscious chocolate brownie slice recipe that is bursting with nutritional benefits and you don’t even have to bake it, the freezer does all the work.