October 30, 2014 | Leave a comment Have you ever felt differently before doing something than you did while doing it or after you already did it? If you haven’t, then I’m likely to investigate whether you’re a human, or even a sentient being :-D I was reminded this morning of the before, during, after dynamic when two things happened. One, an iFeelio user asked me if I have looked at using iFeelio during meals and whether a healthy diet is tied to how we think about food. Two, I went for a run. Food One way in which I have used iFeelio regarding food is to identify how I have been feeling before eating and after eating (during eating, my hands are too engaged in the food to pull out the app). Before eating some foods, I have noticed how ravenous I have been or how worried I have been about a decision I had to make regarding work. In those cases, I may start and even finish eating without paying much attention to the taste of the food or especially the quantity. Curious, I searched the internet for “emotional eating” and found that WebMD had an article dedicated to it, where they advise to “‘pay attention to the thoughts and feelings you have before you eat’…The solution to emotional eating is less about eating than it is about emotions.” Sometimes after eating specific foods, I have noticed how I would feel pretty queasy and/or guilty, and then by entering it into iFeelio, would become more aware of the effects certain foods caused in my body. With these new associations, I could feel more comfortable and confident avoiding those foods, as I know they were likely to cause unpleasant aftershocks. Running Despite waking up feeling quite groggy this morning, I decided to go for a run. I made this decision with the memory of how refreshed, flexible, and strong I typically feel after running. While running, I felt a little worried that I would strain a muscle, cautious to not run too far, and grateful to be by a lake on a beautiful morning. Afterwards, I felt tired yet refreshed, strong, and proud that I’m starting to get back into a routine. A very good friend of mine who runs ridiculous distances such as ultra-marathons (40+ miles at a time) once told me that he really doesn’t enjoy running. Puzzled, I inquired further. He said what he really enjoys is how he feels AFTER running. That during the process of running, it can be treacherous, brutal, and uncomfortable. But the feeling afterward is completely worth it. Other activities How we feel before, during, and after something is surely not limited to eating and running. There’s going out with friends, drinking alcohol, first dates, public speaking, job interviews, doing taxes, wedding preparation, pregnancy, funerals, and many many many more. Feelings happen all the time, whether we notice them or not. Identifying how we feel before, during, or after engaging in an activity can help us decide in which activities and the ways in which we want to engage. Try identifying how you feel before, during, and after some of your daily activities and let me know how it helps you.