- Lookin’ for Love in all the Wrong Places?
“Food, glorious food” the hungry orphans sing out and celebrate in the musical, Little Orphan Annie. And that is actually what I want to talk about in this blog — food, not candy, but I couldn’t resist the picture! On the psychological level, that is what many psychologists and medical professionals will attempt to explore with an overweight person.
Well, that’s me, but I have found much love in this wondrous world and have gratitude for all that’s been given me. So that’s not an answer to a dilemma I’ve had with food over the major part of my adult life.
I am a healthy, getting healthier (by all medical tests) by the moment senior adult, fairly schooled and credentialed in the basics of good nutrition, have practiced them for a long period of my life, and added a lifestyle of active exercises to fit my “taste” — and yet, I still must monitor and carefully choose “my daily bread!”
While I do this, I still do not achieve a desired weight loss, nor have I ever come near that elusive “after” picture, many women display in their weight loss ads. Having to step on a scale is the number one reason I do not like to go to a doctor, any doctor — and by the way, what does your weight have to do with a doctor having to look at a trigger finger? Would it not be locked up if I were ten pounds lighter?
That’s usually what I start with. I’d like to just get ten simple pounds off and go from there. Yeah, right. I have a comfortable food plan, that keeps the calories in line for me and the sugars down for Tom, doesn’t exclude any nutrient group and fairly balances out the carbs, proteins, and fats. And I’ve zoomed my attention in on portion size, making sure I am eating what the package says one serving actually is. (My first big mistake in days gone by, that I’m still susceptible to today). But I’m confident that today’s plan is healthy by anyone’s standard.
But do the ten pounds leave? No, again and again. Maybe three-fourths of the way there. Then it stops! Current nutrition experts say — do NOT starve yourself. And they even say, if you are of “a certain weight” to even ADD more food to your plate. Now that is really tough to do when you don’t trust food to begin with because of previous trials and errors.
I can’t really fix much in my eating pattern these days because I gave up dieting. Diets don’t work — permanently. I, again from experience, know that has been true for me. They were something I went off. Now I just have a healthy plan with high hopes, it will treat me to some slow-as-a-turtle losses that add up. I’ve given this a lot of time. I have a very, very slow turtle.
So along side my food journal now, I am writing my knowledge of this food journey and quoting some of the experts, whom I’ve read over the years and have formulated my “game on” approach to eating.
I’ll share a few of them.
As I said above — balanced in nutrients, moderate in amounts, eat often and small which amounts to a major breakfast, medium to light lunch, and a 1 SERVING SIZE dinner (no family dining at our place anymore!) along with 2 small snacks during the day, and a very small treat at night (highly recommended by an authority) so you don’t ever feel you have to “go off” something.
Outside the home, in uncontrolled eating environments, I attempt to get my plate to resemble home eating and if not possible I watch portions closely. I will readily and humbly admit, however, that a small piece of Laura’s lasagna, is almost not humanly possible.
Now here is some tidbits (pardon the pun) from my journal:
FACTS:
“A complex relationship exists between food, blood sugar, insulin and fat.”
“Use an eating guide that is really NOT a diet. It allows you to eat all the foods you like in the proper amounts and still control insulin resistance and lose weight.”
“If you (I) eat more calories than your (my) body needs, you (I) will gain weight. It doesn’t matter where the calories come from; protein, carbs, or fats.”
“Typically, diets do not work, in the long run. Weight loss from dieting is usually followed by weight gain to your previous or even higher level.” (Over my lifetime, this has been true, so I need to listen to this.)
“Keep in mind that any food can be part of a healthy food plan, if used in moderation.”
“Brisk activity is the most effective activity for burning fat. It does not have to be continuous to burn fat. It adds up cumulatively” (kinda like fat does?) Work any kind of activity into your day as often as you can ie. biking, walking, for ten minutes at a time, several times a day.”
“When you have the time, add a thirty minute or hour gym session in something you like, spinning, Pilates, swimming; the key is to be sure you really like it, or you won’t want to stick with it.” (true, true).
“Adapt a lifetime activity habit. It is the KEY to weight loss maintenance.”
“Learn to splurge successfully, safely, and OCCASIONALLY. It is an essential skill to master in order to achieve long-term weight loss maintenance.”
For me, having a Weight Loss Food PLAN means that “cheating” is impossible and no longer viable in my food vocabulary.”
Today, I want:
To quit being afraid of food.
To quit being angry at food.
To quit being driven or overpowered by food.
To quit envisioning a before & after photo.
Today, I simply want:
To enjoy my food
and have it feel good
in my body.
Today, what I no longer want from food:
Is to cover up my anxiety.
Is to overcome my fear.
Is to solve my problems.
Is to love the unlovable parts of me.
Today, in a world where some of us have feasts and others suffer real and painful famines, I Am deeply grateful for the nutritional abundance that is always available to me and I look to help others in whatever small way I can to put food on their tables.
Napkinwriter 