How to Bake Without Over-Indulging

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #00adef;”] O[/dropcap]ne of my coaching clients messaged me recently.

She had ‘fallen into bad habits’ with some weekend baking.

And felt like she’d mentally gained 600 pounds.

As I told her, while baking can be tricky, it can be possible to bake without over-indulging.

These days I bake for the boys all the time.

Without licking anything.

Or eating anything I regret later.

Here’s how…

How to Bake Without Over-Indulging

STEP 1. Decide.

The most important step is to make a conscious decision.

Choosing to end the struggle.

STEP 2. Plan and visualize.

Before you walk into the kitchen, take a few minutes to think through how you want your baking session to go.

Imagine yourself tasting things if needed.

But not licking the spoon.

Not filling your mouth with cookie dough.

Imagine how great you’re going to feel when you’re cleaning the kitchen and are proud of yourself for sticking to your plan.

And best of all, imagine yourself sitting down to dessert / afternoon tea / the celebration with your loved ones.

Actually feeling hungry.

Excited to share your bakery treats with them.

Instead of feeling gross.

STEP 3. Allow + Name Urges.

This may sound strange but it’s incredibly powerful.

When you feel the urge to eat, pay attention to the urge.

Don’t give in to it (because that just rewards the urge and makes them stronger).

Don’t resist the urge (because that requires will power which can work for the short term, but eventually you’ll give in).

Just allow the urge to be there.

Actually think to yourself or say out loud ‘I’m having the urge to eat this chocololate / lick this bowl‘.

Or whatever.

This helps you to move on.

Without taking a bite.

STEP 4. Breathe

Of course there are times when you will give in to the urge.

When that happens, take a few deep breaths.

I ask yourself ‘how am I feeling right now?’

Often I notice I’m feeling stressed because something hasn’t turned out quite right.

And this stress is triggering the urges.

Or it could be that being around all the sugar and flour is triggering you.

Take some time to breath and calm down.

And then get back to baking.

STEP 5. Practice

This is a practice.

Something I’m still working on.

I don’t expect to be perfect at it. Even now.

But more often than not I allow the urge.

Which makes all the difference.

I can even make a cake for the boys without even thinking about licking the bowl or my fingers.

It feels like a miracle.

What about you?

Do you struggle with over-indulging when you bake?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments below :)

Have fun in the kitchen!

With love,
Jules x

ps. Like my personal help to overcome your struggles with food?

Then Stonesoup Coaching can help.

Click here for more details on how we can work together.

Tags: coaching, coaching tools, habits, simlpicity, [5 ingredients | simple baking]