What doesn't help
One more note about eating, and then I'll move on to something more interesting, I promise.
Do you ever read those articles in women's magazines that say things like, "Ten Secrets to a Slimmer You!" and Secret No. 1 or 3 or 8 is always, "Identify the source of your craving. Stop and think to yourself, 'Why am I eating this? Am I really hungry? Do I really need this?' You may be an emotional eater!"
Those are the stupidest articles I've ever read.
Of course I eat food when I'm not really hungry. If I ate only to fulfill my actual hunger needs, I probably wouldn't need to lose weight. It's not as if my feelings are secret; I know better than anyone else why I eat. When I'm tired or depressed or otherwise out of sorts, I have the conscious thought: "Gosh, maybe some ice cream would cheer me up right now."
And you know what? It does.
Another tip those articles always trot out: "Eat your favorite foods, but eat only a tiny serving. A few bites of chocolate taste just as sweet as a whole candy bar."
To which I think, "Are you kidding?" Sure, a few bites taste good, but the whole candy bar tastes better. When you experience a pleasant sensation, such as a delicious food, it's human nature to want to experience the pleasant sensation again.
Some people smoke cigarettes and other people drink and some people eat. Still other people have completely healthy ways of dealing with frustration and are skilled in practicing moderation in all things. That's what I'm aiming for here--finding those healthy ways of coping, and practicing the virtue of self-control. But simply reading a point in a bullet list pointing out how wrong I am doesn't do me much good. If it were that easy, we'd be a slender, peaceful, non-smoking, teetotaling, healthy nation. Last time I checked, that's not exactly a description of America. At least not where I live. So here's to bucking the trend, creating new habits...and ignoring smug women's magazines.
Do you ever read those articles in women's magazines that say things like, "Ten Secrets to a Slimmer You!" and Secret No. 1 or 3 or 8 is always, "Identify the source of your craving. Stop and think to yourself, 'Why am I eating this? Am I really hungry? Do I really need this?' You may be an emotional eater!"
Those are the stupidest articles I've ever read.
Of course I eat food when I'm not really hungry. If I ate only to fulfill my actual hunger needs, I probably wouldn't need to lose weight. It's not as if my feelings are secret; I know better than anyone else why I eat. When I'm tired or depressed or otherwise out of sorts, I have the conscious thought: "Gosh, maybe some ice cream would cheer me up right now."
And you know what? It does.
Another tip those articles always trot out: "Eat your favorite foods, but eat only a tiny serving. A few bites of chocolate taste just as sweet as a whole candy bar."
To which I think, "Are you kidding?" Sure, a few bites taste good, but the whole candy bar tastes better. When you experience a pleasant sensation, such as a delicious food, it's human nature to want to experience the pleasant sensation again.
Some people smoke cigarettes and other people drink and some people eat. Still other people have completely healthy ways of dealing with frustration and are skilled in practicing moderation in all things. That's what I'm aiming for here--finding those healthy ways of coping, and practicing the virtue of self-control. But simply reading a point in a bullet list pointing out how wrong I am doesn't do me much good. If it were that easy, we'd be a slender, peaceful, non-smoking, teetotaling, healthy nation. Last time I checked, that's not exactly a description of America. At least not where I live. So here's to bucking the trend, creating new habits...and ignoring smug women's magazines.
4 comments:
Awesome. You will do well!
Oh so true! I can get on board with the idea that SOMETIMES it works (for me) to say, oh, yup, I'm not actually hungry - it's emotional. I'll have tea or water instead. Sometimes. But the 'one bite is just as good as ten'? These people are nuts! One bite is TEASE and I'll have none of it! Or make that, I'll have ten of it.
Just focus and think of sunny weather and skimpy clothes. Your mantra could be "Grenada - Grenada."
Nana
Amen to that. Those magazines drive me crazy, especially because I think they basically have one year's worth of "articles" (and believe me, I use that term loosely)and then they just recycle them year to year.
And the tips are all stupid.
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