So we are all eating too much. Do you know many people who are content with their size, their weight? I don’t seem to. Outside of my son, who has the metabolism of a hummingbird, most of my friends and acquaintances grumble constantly about ill-fitting clothes, out-of-control appetites, stress eating, and the caloric expense of a good glass of wine. Personally, I am not pleased to share that I’m 20 pounds over my “comfortable” weight. Like many, I have a closet full of clothes that I refuse to get rid of because I know I’ll fit into them again s-s-soon. I know all about glycemic indexes, blood sugar and hunger, carbs and sugar. I belong to the YMCA and sporadically make an attempt to get fit–ter.
Why is health less important than, say, making sure I see every episode of LOST? Why does my knowledge and reason give way to cravings for sweets and pasta? Where is my willpower? And importantly, how do I allow this to continue when it makes me so unhappy?
Immediate gratification. Destructive self-talk*; irresponsible rationalization. Chocolate.
That rationale stuff is dangerous. When I am full, satiated, content, I can make all the promises in the world to myself about how I don’t need or want to eat another cookie. But just an hour later, I experience a craving so strong that all reason evaporates and that self-talk begins rattling in my head. *Self-talk is the catalog of statements your mind chooses from in order to make you feel better about something, usually something you already know is wrong. Akin to the “devil” on one shoulder that is bickering with the “angel” on the other.
Angel: You know you don’t need that chocolate chip cookie. It will make you fatter. Devil: Aw, c’mon. You didn’t have breakfast (lunch, dinner). It’s only 150 calories. It’s your favorite. One cookie won’t matter.
Angel: It’s time for the pilates class at the Y. Better get changed. Devil: There’s so much on the calendar today. It will stress you out if you try to squeeze in a trip to the Y. And anyway, parking is a bitch. Maybe next week is better. Have a cookie instead!
Do you recognize this talk? If only there was a way to swat that little devil right off my shoulder!
All I can do is try. I’m too vain to type in here what I weigh, but I’m making a new commitment to drop 12 pounds by my birthday, which is September 14th. Not particularly ambitious, and certainly doable. Do I hear a second?
Fantastic blog, Pam/Anne (I never know which to call you!) Anyway, it is SO true, but you made it sound funny. Good luck on your 12# drop by September. I need to drop 10# too, but… well I have the same probs as you. Convincing myself there is no time to exercise, and that one cookie (Hershey kiss, handful of M&Ms, slice of brie on a Trisket) won’t matter in the long run.
PS: I finished LOCKER SHOCK and though you did a fantastic job! Very touching at the end, and some really good lessons. I’ve sent it to my new Junior Reviewer (13) to read/critique for my website!
Thanks, Jackie! I appreciate your commiseration and your response about LOCKER SHOCK! I am almost done with the next book in that series so it was timely to get your comments. Stay in touch!
-Pam