When it comes to sitting down to eat a meal, I've always been a bit of a shoveler. Growing up we ate in front of the TV and we still do from time to time. I'm embarrassed to admit I usually go in for seconds too. Sometimes, if I'm eating something particularly tasty, I'll start planning my second bowlful before I'm even halfway finished with my first round.

So trying Paul McKenna's concept of eating conciously has been a bit of an eye opener. What really convinced me to give it a go is when he explained how many of us spend so much time thinking about food yet so little time eating it. It's true. I spend a lot of time thinking about food, planning meals, craving things I won't allow myself, etc. But when it comes time to sit down to eat, I shovel it in so fast I barely taste it.

For the past several days, I've been focusing on eating conciously. Taking my time and enjoying the experience of dining. Really chewing, tasting and savoring my food. Putting my fork down between bites. Checking in with my stomach to see if it's satisfied, if I'm full.

At first it was difficult to know I was full. For some reason, the sensation of "fullness" also felt similar to hunger, a kind of rumbling in my belly, but after going past this point a few times only to feel overfed, I realized this is the sign I've been ignoring for so long.

It is amazing how much less food I am eating this way. We ordered Chinese food the other night (less food than we usually do, too) and my dish lasted me three meals. Cooked meals that used to last us one night are lasting two. And believe it or not, I actually ate two bites of a sugar-free candy bar and was completely satisfied.

Now, the biggest challenge seems to be remembering to put my fork down between bites. If I'm not paying attention to eating slowly and conciously, I find myself taking another bite before I've swallowed the first one.

It's a new way of doing things for me and it will take time to make it second nature, but I'm confident I'll be able to do it. So far, I have to say, this is the best "diet" I've ever tried.