I have a problem. I want to be thin(ner), but I also really love food. Why must these be at odds? I love everything about food. First and foremost, it just tastes good. But there's more- I love baking. Cooking-depends on the day- but baking, rapture! I love baking for other people. I love the whole process of baking from start to finish, but especially the middle part that sometimes includes dough! There are some really wonderful things to make out there.
I also want to be thin. Sometimes I wonder, at what cost? Is it really worth it? I'll give you a different answer on different days. And how thin? Maybe I want to settle for slightly plump if it allows me to also enjoy the wondrous array of food this world offers. I mean, food is a basic component of life! It's everywhere! It's unavoidable! It's amazing! And besides all this, I'm fighting biology. Eating sugar literally sends more mood-enhancing endorphins to your brain, which for a depressed person is basically a little shot of happy in every bite. (Hence a high correlation between depression and over-eating-) How can I fight chemistry? You always hear health freaks or diet-do-gooders say that food is fuel, and only fuel. I've been thinking about it and I came up with what I think is a good analogy. Yes, food is primarily a fuel source and the reason it exists is to fuel our bodies. But to relegate it strictly to this purpose is like using sex solely as a means of procreation. Sex exists to create life on earth, however it can also be really fun! (Between monogamous married individuals, of course.) Besides their primary functions both food and sex can be enjoyed for other purposes and should be! Right? Probably the solution to this would be moderation. However, I seem to have a really hard time with moderation. With anything, but especially sugar due to the happy shots it gives. Plus it's really good. Then I think I should just focus on making better choices over time to live an overall healthy lifestyle and not fret over every bite and every calorie. Unfortunately this method is risky and slow.
So you can see why I am at odds. Why oh why must this disparity exist? Why can't I be one of those cursed naturally thin people who get to enjoy the food they like without consequence?
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This year, more than anything, I have learned that everything...EVERYTHING in my life needs to be enjoyed in moderation. From eating, exercise, drinking, spending money, staying up late, going out, naps! If I do any of them excessively they don't bring me happiness. It sucks but it what it is.
I personally have decided that I don't mind keeping a little curve and enjoying the really good foods I love. It's a worthy trade and I feel balanced. Good luck!
My dad is here helping me post-op. I have watched his weght vary 60-70 lbs or so most of my life. At th the hert of it, he is a ciompulsive over eater. When he an my step mother divorced in 99, he was heart broken an for the firt time turned away from food, took up cycling & did Jenny Craig. It what we all know (and forget over an over) we can eat anything in right amount. Too much of ANYTHING is bad for us. I had a friend who was a spinning insructor, in great shape, and she had just decided that she would rather be 15 lbs over her goal weight, have a higher BMI, and be a total foodie. I think health first, then some kind on balance between looks an culinary happiness secon.
My dad and his mom are here, my dad put me on my first diet when I was 12. Plain tuna, lettuce, salad, har boiled egg.... That forever shaped my relationip with food & body image. I wastch the them NOT eat, talk about their weight ( my grandma is under weight, my ad is an elite cyclist an rides aboout 2-300 miles a weeek) they can both can eat what thy want!
At any wait I think out
'food personas" are shaped young, I think, and I agree with Hannah-moderation!
Sorry for the novel, I;m bored & lonely while I'm house bound!
Too much information
Anonymous
You'll find the balance my friend.
I love that you love to bake.
Well said! It is so hard to make yourself do thngs you really don't want to do whether it is restricting your diet, be nice or in my case,exercising! I just take it one day at a time and try to remember that I really need the benefits I gain from doing them, but I still don't like it!!!
I agree with the whole problem! Eating is such a social thing too. When we get together with friends and family, we want to cook, to fix "stuff" and bake our favorites! We want to try new places...eat! Coming from someone who has had to watch their weight my whole life, it's basically a drag! I try to remind myself that I like the feeling of thin better than the feeling of eating whatever I want. It doesn't always work!
When you and I cooked and dieted, you know "diet pogners"...we kind of had it all!
I guess I'm not sure what the real answer is, but I certainly relate! Maybe we can just find some great things that we love love love and that aren't fattening!Oh, sure.
I am all too familiar with this problem. It really is hard, since you can't just avoid food, can you? I love to bake, too. Love it. One of my very favorite things. That right there is the big reason I can't see myself giving up baked goods altogether. Why is moderation so hard??
p.s. This seems a strange post for Anonymous to single out, doesn't it?? Hee.
Um, you just took the words out of my mouth. It's difficult. I get to a point where I'm eating really healthing and losing weight and then throw it all away and seem to gain it all back. :(
I share your thoughts on this for sure.
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