I eat to relieve stress.
I eat to celebrate.
I eat when I’m bored.
I eat when I’m tired.
I eat because I love the smell, texture and flavors.
I eat because it relieves the pain.
I eat because I’ve worked so hard to cook.
I eat because it’s just there.
I eat because someone ELSE has worked so hard to cook.
In deciding to be a “Healthier Me” this year, I figured that in order to change my habits, create new ones and overcome my stumbling blocks that I need to examine just WHY it is I seem to have spent the past four or five years gaining weight, being sedentary, etc., and when I made that list I realized two VERY important things.
1. Of all of the things that I listed there were 2 VERY important items left out.
a. I don’t eat because I’m hungry. Why? Because I eat for the wrong reasons and as a result don’t allow myself to get hungry. I don’t even think I know what hunger really feels like.
b. I don’t eat socially. Many people eat more in a social situation. I am just the opposite. I realized this yesterday over lunch at the Todd English restaurant “Figs” with my friend Jewel from Jewels Fab Life. We were so deep in conversation, that I only ate 1/3 of my meal (and took the rest home to add to my salad today).
2. I’m using food as my drug.
Why am I revealing all of this? Because I KNOW that I’m not the ONLY person who uses food, or drink, or cigarettes, or alcohol, or whatever for the wrong reasons, and understanding it is the FIRST step to fixing it. If you drop something and it breaks, you can’t fix it until you pick up the pieces and really look at where each piece fits before gluing it back together.
So, how do I change the pattern?
1. I could substitute a HEALTHY habit (like exercise) for a bad one.
2. Realize that I may slip up and go back to my old patterns, but that I don’t have to CONTINUE to sabotage myself. I can forgive myself for taking one step backwards and continue to move forward.
3. Join a group of people who, like my (or you) are trying to work through the same issues, and will help me through the tough times as I develop healthier habits.
I invite you to join me, along with some of my blogging friends, who are committed to making 2011 the year that we all get healthier. Join in by writing a blog post about being a “Healthier Me” and let’s support one another.
Jen @ BigBinder says
Very honest… it’s not about appetite, or just ‘love of food’ (well, for me it’s a little of that too – I’m a foodie for sure) but when we eat for all of the wrong reasons, we definitely won’t like the results. I am glad you wrote this Zippy!
Zipporah says
Thanks Jen – I figured that I really needed to take a good long look at what I was doing.
Michele says
Eating is one of the most joyful experiences there is in life. This is because it is different everytime and it is a surprise everytime. If you eat proper portion size and know when to not choose the most caloric meal on the menu, you can indulge yourself with your favorite foods and not feel guilty about it. Its all about moderation!