Why I Thought Sitting at the Table Meant I Had to Eat (Especially at Summer BBQs)

Who knew potatoes could be so persuasive?

You know that moment at a summer BBQ or family gathering when you sit down at the table and suddenly feel the urge to eat something (anything) just because you're there?

I used to think, “I’m at the table; I should be eating.”

Like the table had some magical summer power that made my hands automatically reach for chips, dip, cookies... whatever was within arm’s reach.

The Table = Eating Zone

In my mind, sitting at the table was synonymous with eating. I couldn’t just sit there and enjoy the breeze or the conversation. That would be… unnatural. So I’d reach for something (bread, cheese cubes, leftover pie from the 4th of July) anything to keep my hands busy while I chatted.

The Justifications Begin

I’d tell myself:

"It’s just a small snack." 

"I don’t want to be rude." 

"Everyone else is eating, I should too."

Before I knew it, I’d eaten more than I wanted, not because I was hungry, but because I was sitting there.

The Summer Realization

One day, in the middle of a casual backyard lunch, I paused and thought, Why do I feel the need to eat just because I’m sitting here? It wasn’t about hunger. It was habit.

Turns out, my association of table = eat was just a learned summer reflex. Like wearing flip-flops or craving lemonade. It wasn’t actually required.

I realized… I could sit at the table, enjoy the company, feel the sun on my face—and not feel compelled to snack mindlessly.

The Shift

Now? I can sit at a picnic table, laugh with my family, pass the potato salad without feeling like I need to scoop some on my plate just to be polite. No guilt. No mindless bites. Just presence.

And honestly? It’s so freeing.

Join Me (and Let’s Make Peace With Summer Eating)

If you've ever felt this way, especially during summer BBQ season, you’re not alone.

I’m sharing how I made the shift in a free online webinar next week:

🌞 Do You Eat When You’re Not Even Hungry? Here’s Why (and What to Do Instead) 

📅 Next Tuesday 

🕕 8AM (EST New York) / 2PM (CEST Paris) 

💻 Online & Free

I’ll show you:

✅ The 5 hidden traps that cause women to overeat (and how to get out of them, without giving up chips or cherry pie)

 ✅ The 3 simple secrets to shut down cravings… even when you’re surrounded by summer treats and family pressure 

✅ How to eat with peace, not guilt—even if you’ve tried “starting over” a hundred times

Whether you're headed to a family reunion, a beach picnic, or just sitting at your kitchen table with your kids this summer… this is your chance to change how food fits into this season.

👉 [Reserve your spot now] and let’s make this the summer where food stops running the show.

See you Tuesday?

Nan 

Certified Life & Weight Loss Coach 

Reformed Table Snacker & Proud of It