How to Avoid Gaining Weight

February 23, 2009

I am not a health-nut, by any stretch of the imagination, and I do not come from a family with “skinny” genes. Let’s be clear about how much I dislike exercise: I would rather go to the dentist than to the gym; and keep in mind, I had my orthodontic work done in a third world country in the early 80’s, when anesthesia was a luxury few could afford.

It should also be noted that I love, love, love some not-so-slimming foods. If I thought I could get away with it, I would eat nothing but these three things:

• Breads – baguettes, pastries, bagels, tortillas, crackers, etc.
• Cheeses – preferably melted on the breads!
• Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – one pint averages about 1000 calories of perfection.

And yet, I am still wearing the same size clothes that I wore in high school. I believe there are two reasons for this:

1. Money - I can’t afford to buy a whole new set of clothes the next size up. Nor can I afford to eat all the fancy (often fattening) pre-packaged foods I love, or going out to eat on any sort of regular basis. In short, when finances are slim, so is my waistline. That’s one good thing about this economy.

2. Mind Games – Whenever I am trying to decide whether to eat or not to eat, I play this little mind game: I try to discover which part of me is thinking about food. If it is, in fact, my stomach needing fuel, I look for “fregetables” (fruits or vegetables in a variety of colors.) Since I’m not very active, as noted above, usually one baked potato, Red Delicious apple, or bowl of broccoli can satiate my hunger. But sometimes, it’s not actually my stomach that is “hungry”. It could be my:

Brain – In this case, I am just bored and looking for amusement… something to DO. Instead of looking in the kitchen, I should look through my books or, better yet, tell my son I’m bored and you can bet he’ll come up with 10 things we could do together.

Heart – Maybe I am feeling sad or lonely, and I’m seeking the comfort of food. Since I feel bad about something (myself?) I want to find something that will make me feel better, even if it is only temporary. This one is responsible for most of my Ben & Jerry’s pints. Instead, I should call a friend, write in my journal, or read a motivational blog.

Joy – Conversely, maybe I just got really good news and want to celebrate. Most often we celebrate with food and drink; but does it have to be so? What if we celebrated by going out to the lake to feed the ducks and watch my son run around and play?

Nerves – Sometimes I am anxious or worried, like when my son was in the hospital, and I am just looking for a distraction. During these times I should definitely call a friend, write in my journal, or try to help someone else. When we focus on other people’s problems, ours don’t seem as daunting.

Wallet – On payday, it can be tough to resist the temptation to “treat ourselves” to a nice meal somewhere. Particularly if we spent the last week of the month scrounging through the old pantry items for something edible, waiting for the next paycheck. Instead, we should spend on our regular groceries, and put the rest in savings… or give it to someone in need.

I’m sure there are countless other reasons why we instinctively reach for food that have nothing to do with fueling our body with the nutrients we need. After all, food has become the accessible, affordable, and socially acceptable “drug” to treat all conditions. Is it any wonder our nation is struggling with obesity?

The next time you start craving foods, try to determine if it is really food you need… unless you are pregnant; in which case, eat whatever you want. =-)

Related Posts: Choose Wisely | Do You Seek Happiness or Pleasure?

Helpful Links: Lose the Buddha Belly | Eat Healthier

Further Reading: Eat This Not That! | In Defense of Food | The Omnivore’s Dilemma

Related posts:

1. The Full Vermonty: First Impressions

Posted in addictions, bad habits, choices, needs