Part 4: Create a Helpful Environment

You walk into the kitchen and see a box of cereal sitting out. You fill your cereal bowl and eye the leftover pie next to a bag of chips on the counter. It’s been a long day and you deserve a treat, right? When you are hungry, tired, bored, or stressed, food choices can be influenced by what is around you.

First, learn about your kitchen. Your kitchen may be a place where you socialize with family and friends. It may be a place where you cook or pack lunches for children. Or, you have to walk through the kitchen to get to other rooms.

•  How many times do you walk into your kitchen each day? If you aren’t sure, keep track for a day.

•  List a few reasons you go into your kitchen.

•  Without opening any doors (pantry, fridge, etc.), what foods can you see?

•  If you were to select a snack right now, what would you choose? Why did you choose this snack?

The kitchen can be one of your biggest allies in managing your weight. A kitchen can also be a battle zone that trips up your goals.