OK, let’s just go ahead and put the cards on the table. I’m the token fat girl within all of my groups of friends. Don’t do any of those fake gasps, this isn’t news to me and it shouldn’t be news to you. Anyway, with this title comes…resentment. Yes, I believe that is the best word to describe this situation. I don’t have a healthy diet, and for the most part of my 27 years, have not really worried about what I ate. There were times that I said, ‘OK Kelly, this is outta hand, time to get it together. ‘ But, that didn’t ever last long (God willing, with this blog, I can fix that and get healthy, fat girl forever or not.). While I throw food caution to the wind, my friends and family around me have always been on the quest for healthy eating. So much so, to the point of my resentment. I would think inwardly, “Gosh, I’m fat and happy, and they are OBSESSED. They can’t really be that happy” or “JUST STOP TALKING ABOUT FOOD ALL THE TIME!” I would get sick of my sister or some of my friends just going on and on about calories, fat, intake, carbs, weight, pant size, etc, etc, etc. Sometimes I would join the conversation, especially if I was on a health kick. Other times I would wonder what they thought of me. I was obviously the one of the group who should give a dang, but I would be the one gleefully ordering a burger and fries. I would catch myself wondering if inside their minds they were thinking that I needed a salad. I mean, we all have our inner thoughts, but girls can be ruthless sometimes, thoughts expressed or not.
Well. Turns out there are a few kinds of food obsession. I might have made them up myself, but they are still completely legit. Swear. Instead of going from good to bad, I will go from bad to good…just to shake things up. Before we go any further, I want to give you an explicit definition of what it means to be obsessed:
ob·sess
v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es
To preoccupy the mind of excessively.
The Ugly
This would be the extremes of being obsessed with food…and in either direction, really. First and foremost, those with eating disorders. I’ve had friends that have struggled with anorexia and bulimia. Man, THAT is self discipline, for sure. However, on the other end of the spectrum are those over eaters. I would fit in here. Either these people are always obsessed with where their next meal is coming from (sad to say that’s been me before) or get caught up in eating and just eat to eat and eat because something tastes good (again, me). Either way, over or under eating…UGLY. And not just physically…but the mentality.
The Bad
This was hard for me to define. Middle ground is always less exciting, eh? I came to the conclusion, with the negative connotation of the word ‘bad,’ that a bad food obsession would be those who may be obsessed with others’ food intake in a negative way. That’s just mean, read BAD. I would love some input from you if you have any thoughts on BAD food obsessions.
The Good
OK, that’s what this blog is all about: the GOOD food obsession. I’ve realized over the last few months as my heart has been preparing for this, that a certain amount of obsession is needed to lead a healthy lifestyle. You need to know what you are putting in your body, but not so much so that you are a caloric calculator. Attention must be paid for a balanced diet. However, I want to be careful so I don’t become “that girl” and move into the ugly realm again. Everything is good in moderation. Food and obsessions. : -)
All that to say, this is my disclaimer for the next 21 days: I’m about to attempt a vegan lifestyle. I apologize for any food-heavy chatter. But thank you in advance for supporting my newest obsession.
Discussion: Feel free to post some comments on healthy food obsessed habits! Or maybe share how you have been obsessed with food.
The Bad also might be when people tie emotions to food. For example, happiness/sadness/boredom/anger/etc. to food. For instance, candy=happy! I think the more conscious we are with are true emotions, the more able we are to tune in to what our physical bodies are needing. A walk? Deep breath? Glass of water? Food? I think becoming more in tune with our physical being helps our intake be more about what we need, rather than just what we feel emotionally.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you as you begin this journey. I have been warming up this past week. I have been almost 98% dairy and meat free for 6 days now. I have accidently taken in some dairy. I have truly enjoyed the food I have made from The Kind Diet by A. Silverstone. It feels great to be buying all these healthy, colorful foods that are great for me. I actually get excited to go to the grocery store. I have not been hungry once. I am CONVINCED my complexion looks better. The scale hasn't changed much, but that is okay. I am sensing that this Vegan cleanse is a way for me to become clean and healthy from the inside out, regardless of the scale. So often I think of lotions and potions as a way to look better, prettier. I like the idea that my "inner glow" might shine through because I am eating food in a more medicinal way. The Kind Diet really is a good title, considering it is eating as a way to be gentle with your body. So, I am reporting back after week ONE of a Vegan diet and I feel excited and slightly better. Less bloated. A little more peaceful inside. I am not sure how else to explain that feeling....but its there. I am super excited to see how I will feel after 2 weeks. I can't wait to compare notes with you after your first week!
From The Kind Diet:
Favorite meal I've made so far.....Fried Udon Noodles. Delish!
Tonight's meal....Crumbled tofu with peas, sliced black olives, capers, sun dried tomatoes, Italian sausage (tofu style), chopped celery, paprika, fine sea salt, fresh ground pepper.....
Yummy snack.....I made an Artichoke dip to snack on while we watched Butler last night....try it! You will love it.
Sweets.....let me know if you come up with any sweet vegan treats from the book. I haven't made anything yet and I am CRAVING chocolate. : )