Many people don't know the difference between fed well and well fed.
Poster at Doctor's Office
The above quote was at doctors office at Cabell Huntington Hospital and it really made an impression on me when I saw it. The more I talked to people in my job as a nurse it made an even bigger impression, because it was so true. I have overheard conversations of people discussing nutrition that went a lot like this:
A: "We were fed all kinds of crap growing up"
B: "No you weren't! You always had a full table of food."
A: "Yes, but none of it was good food."
B: "That's not true. It was all good food. You never went hungry"
Like so many things that cause a ruckus in our society, this a fundamental misunderstanding with language. Much like freedom of speech doesn't mean that others won't shout you down (using their freedom of speech) when you say something offensive.
Food is awesome and I love most of it, carrot sticks to carrot cake (hold the liver, thanks). Not only do we enjoy the flavor but it causes our brain to react in amazing ways, producing endorphins that make us feel even better. Like other drugs, these endorphin releasing foods can be beneficial, even fun in small amounts but when it becomes your daily go to feel good, they become a habit, lading to an addiction. For anyone who has ever quite smoking, you know how difficult that can be. For me, giving up wheat based foods was harder.
Let's see...pizza, spaghetti, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, subs, dinner rolls, any bread really, fried chicken, calzones, etc., etc. Everything that had become the main staples of my diet and feel-good devices was gone. Okay, I am not making the claim that I will never eat pizza or pasta again, but it will be an occasional treat, eaten in moderation. But, I won't have any of it until I have completed my current weight loss challenge.
So, what does one do when they deprive themselves of their happiness crutches? For me, I have been replacing them with an actual foundation (body) of happiness. Finding the will power to make the change was the beginning and brought a level of tentative positivity. As the days ticked by that positivity was replaced by confidence. Progress added to confidence and ambition was kindled. And that's about where I am now. Having now lost fourteen pounds, as of this morning, and seeing the changes taking place in my body I am able to contemplate where I want to go with this. What do I want to look like? What do I want to be able to do? I am no longer bemoaning that I can't jog but am developing new goals and benchmarks that are realistic and physically possible. I won't make any predictions or divulge any plans, its a surprise ( for all of us).
Aside from the happiness I am generating within myself from my physical advances I am replacing my old food pat-on-the backs with new healthy versions. Granted I am in the early stages of this and, like so many before me, I am still eating a rather Spartan version. I eat a lot of leafy green salads with baked chicken or other lean meat. I have my simple yogurt and banana breakfast and my fresh fruit snacks. I have yet to do the really important and sustaining step of relearning how to cook and create tasty healthy dishes with spices and natural ingredients. But, that is on the list and any suggestions are welcome. The important thing here is that I am enjoying the food. I don't have the feeling that I am eating "rabbit food." I actually love salad, especially with a little blue cheese dressing.
Attitude has made all the difference and has been a wonderful flavor enhancer. No need for MSG, my endorphins are flowing from knowing that I am doing something good for myself. This may sound very lame but I am feeling great about feeling great (except for that stomach bug last weak, that sucked, or spewed, or something). This new outlook on food actually surprises me daily as I simply have no desire for my former food favs. I can only assume that my attitude change has taken root in my subconscious and I am totally committed to the mission. Why the hell else would I not eat a piece of tasty, yummy butter and honey coated toast? Beats me!
Post Script on feeling great:
Having the title themes from Raider of the Lost Ark and Superman , by John Williams, playing as you type helps too.
The above quote was at doctors office at Cabell Huntington Hospital and it really made an impression on me when I saw it. The more I talked to people in my job as a nurse it made an even bigger impression, because it was so true. I have overheard conversations of people discussing nutrition that went a lot like this:
A: "We were fed all kinds of crap growing up"
B: "No you weren't! You always had a full table of food."
A: "Yes, but none of it was good food."
B: "That's not true. It was all good food. You never went hungry"
Like so many things that cause a ruckus in our society, this a fundamental misunderstanding with language. Much like freedom of speech doesn't mean that others won't shout you down (using their freedom of speech) when you say something offensive.
Food is awesome and I love most of it, carrot sticks to carrot cake (hold the liver, thanks). Not only do we enjoy the flavor but it causes our brain to react in amazing ways, producing endorphins that make us feel even better. Like other drugs, these endorphin releasing foods can be beneficial, even fun in small amounts but when it becomes your daily go to feel good, they become a habit, lading to an addiction. For anyone who has ever quite smoking, you know how difficult that can be. For me, giving up wheat based foods was harder.
Let's see...pizza, spaghetti, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, subs, dinner rolls, any bread really, fried chicken, calzones, etc., etc. Everything that had become the main staples of my diet and feel-good devices was gone. Okay, I am not making the claim that I will never eat pizza or pasta again, but it will be an occasional treat, eaten in moderation. But, I won't have any of it until I have completed my current weight loss challenge.
So, what does one do when they deprive themselves of their happiness crutches? For me, I have been replacing them with an actual foundation (body) of happiness. Finding the will power to make the change was the beginning and brought a level of tentative positivity. As the days ticked by that positivity was replaced by confidence. Progress added to confidence and ambition was kindled. And that's about where I am now. Having now lost fourteen pounds, as of this morning, and seeing the changes taking place in my body I am able to contemplate where I want to go with this. What do I want to look like? What do I want to be able to do? I am no longer bemoaning that I can't jog but am developing new goals and benchmarks that are realistic and physically possible. I won't make any predictions or divulge any plans, its a surprise ( for all of us).
Aside from the happiness I am generating within myself from my physical advances I am replacing my old food pat-on-the backs with new healthy versions. Granted I am in the early stages of this and, like so many before me, I am still eating a rather Spartan version. I eat a lot of leafy green salads with baked chicken or other lean meat. I have my simple yogurt and banana breakfast and my fresh fruit snacks. I have yet to do the really important and sustaining step of relearning how to cook and create tasty healthy dishes with spices and natural ingredients. But, that is on the list and any suggestions are welcome. The important thing here is that I am enjoying the food. I don't have the feeling that I am eating "rabbit food." I actually love salad, especially with a little blue cheese dressing.
Attitude has made all the difference and has been a wonderful flavor enhancer. No need for MSG, my endorphins are flowing from knowing that I am doing something good for myself. This may sound very lame but I am feeling great about feeling great (except for that stomach bug last weak, that sucked, or spewed, or something). This new outlook on food actually surprises me daily as I simply have no desire for my former food favs. I can only assume that my attitude change has taken root in my subconscious and I am totally committed to the mission. Why the hell else would I not eat a piece of tasty, yummy butter and honey coated toast? Beats me!
ARGHGHGH, TOOOAAAST
Post Script on feeling great:
Having the title themes from Raider of the Lost Ark and Superman , by John Williams, playing as you type helps too.
No comments:
Post a Comment