Many of us choose to stay out of the kitchen as much as possible when we try to lose weight. We carry an “Out of sight, off my hips” motto. But cooking and preparing food can be quite therapeutic and a huge part of the food-issue healing process.
Take something as simple as fresh squeezed orange or citrus juice for example. Breathing in those bright uplifting citrus oils can be just the shot of ‘aromatherapy’ you need in the afternoon. Three minutes expending energy powering a manual squeeze juicer is a better stress reliever than a novelty stress ball. Getting creative with a splash of soda water to make a lemonade spritzer or blending with some protein powder to create an Orange Julius might be just what you need to realize that food is not your enemy. You are not only in control of what you are eating, you are creating fabulous healthy food and drinks that are much better than just about any fast food, take out or frozen section meal!
Look at food preparation as a means to an end AND a therapy session. Experience all of what food prep has to offer. Take it all in as you cook: smells, textures, sights – you’ll even get a little exercise with all that chopping and juicing.
We can’t avoid food forever. Sure, during the initial stages after weight loss surgery we might want to try, but eventually we have to come to terms with food being a part of our lives. Why not take control, and make food prep so much more than a daily chore?!
