Let me treat you

A fabulous Saturday morning here, I went for an early walk. I can't lie around in bed, once I am awake I have to be up and about. Thank you for all your comments, I read them all. I would urge everyone to, because there are some very valid points and ideas coming out. So I would say, click on the comments link just to read them, even though you might not want to add one yourself. They are a welcome addition to my posts.

Walking gives me chance to gather a few thoughts, and ponder about what has gone on in the past few days. A few ideas for posts pass fleetingly through my head and inevitably go out the other side, ha ha. I really must take a note book with me. No, don't tell me to take a little dictaphone, I tried that and felt a proper fool, couldn't get the words out.

Anyway, this morning I was thinking about the phone conversation I had with Jo, the researcher for the programme. I got onto the subject of treats, how often we should treat ourselves, and why we think we deserve a treat, and most importantly what is the cost of the treat.

I mentioned the bag of chips I bought a few days ago. Now most people include a visit to the chippie as a regular activity, even as often as once a week. I limit my intake of fried food because I don't think it is healthy to consume oils and fats on a regular basis. Sorry I don't mean to preach, it's just what I think, each to their own. So my twice yearly bag of chips was a treat, I wasn't even thinking about buying them. I was out at a local shopping area and my stomach was rumbling. I could dash home and get something, but then remembered there was a very popular posh fish and chip shop nearby, and thought, go on, treat yourself, so I did. They were delicious.

A naughty treat once in a while is fine. I mentioned the cost of treats, and by that I don't just mean financially, there is another cost which you may not have thought of. With food and drink, it is the cost to your health and fitness, and whether the short term pleasure is going to be worth the long term pain, as in foods that are going to damage your body. Any way, I am going off on the wrong track now, as always, I start writing these ponderings never knowing which direction they are going. Let's divert. Treats.....

I want to know, how often do you treat yourself, and why, and also why you think you deserve a treat. Never mind the cost, we are all at different levels. I think these questions are important because the answers will give some indication about how we feel about ourselves. If we have lots of treats is that because we need more stuff to make ourselves feel good? The next step is comfort eating and that can be a very bad habit to get into. Perhaps if we need very few treats, we are happy with the way our lives are going? Or maybe this can turn into a deprivation anxiety.

Mum used to treat us kids when we behaved ourselves, and helped out in the house. If we were naughty we didn't get anything. I cried, but of course she was right. I never expected anything to be given to me unless I earned it, maybe that's why I struggle to find reasons why I should be allowed a treat now. I still have to earn my treats. And by being a good girl and saving up I can have a bag of chips or two.

The best kind of treats are those which are very simple, like watching a programme on the iplayer at whatever time it suits. Or soaking your feet in a bowl of hot water, while sitting in an easy chair with your eyes closed. Or picking a few flowers and putting them in a pretty vase on your window ledge. Or calling in to see a friend and having a coffee. Or a stroll through the woods or along a canal side.

Right, that's it then, I'm off outside. See you later.