No. I haven’t invented some amazing new pill that gobbles up fat before it makes a home on my arse.
And no, I haven’t discovered some top-secret exercise that I can do while watching television and eating ice-cream. I haven’t even filled my basement with motorized thighmasters that open and close at the speed of light.
I’ve finally figured out the secret to conquering this fatty demon once and for all – I had to fix my brain.
It was the husband who helped turn the light bulb on in my dark, pastry-filled brain. He’s a useful person to have around. We were discussing how crazy it is that your brain can play tricks on you. Mainly, we were talking about crack addiction (for those of you who are new here, the husband is an addictions counsellor, not an addict…) Jay was explaining how addicts will not look past the consequences of getting high. How all they want is that 2 minute fix. In those 2 minutes, they experience something like having 100 orgasms all at once. Some of them will spend the next several days chasing successions of two-minute highs, only to crash at the end, exhausted and sick. With each 2 minutes, addicts can begin to lose pieces of their lives – family, friends, jobs, their homes, etc.
And although I know eating is often not as destructive as something like a crack addiction, there are similarities. Yes, I’ve never lost my house for need of a brilliant cheesecake fix, but for every impulse bite that I took, I lost small pieces of myself – my self-esteem, my happiness, my energy, my overall health. And for what? For a few seconds of ecstasy (and not even moan-out-loud, toe-curling-ecstasy) – it hardly seems worth it.
I was also quite skilled at sabotaging attempts to do things that were good for me. Let’s consider exercise, shall we? Right now, I only run 30 minutes, four times per week. I’m not very good at math, so correct me if I’m wrong, but if there are 168 hours in a week and I spend 2 hours of them running, that is only 1% of my week. Seriously? I spent all this effort trying to avoid something that although it can be challenging for 1%, it gives me lasting benefits for the other 99% of my week? That makes zero sense.
Yes, I still treat myself. Once a week, I drink and eat what I want (within reason). But “treat” by definition is an occasional thing – not like I was “treating” myself before – every day, all day. I think it’s worth it, if only to keep myself on this path that I know will make me happier in the long run, even if I do wake up the next morning with a food hangover. But I used to walk around in a constant food hangover – depressed, exhausted, apathetic, fuzzy-headed.
It’s cheesy, but true – you are what you eat. I ate shit. I felt like shit.
So often the things we think will make us happy, make us miserable. Why? Is it because we aren’t REALLY thinking about it? From this point on, I’m going to use my brain (she must be whipped back into shape!) and actually make everything I eat and everything I do, a conscious decision.
I laugh in the face of cakey muffins. I scoff at the sight of chips. I can decide to never be fat again. And so it will be done.
Edited to add: I just found out about a contest that Magpie Musing is running to win a Wii Fit and am hoping (cross your fingers, people!) to get my hands on it with this post. You can enter the contest here. Or don’t. Because it’s MINE!
I swear sometimes it’s my brain that needs exercise, not just my body. When I work out now I try to mentally exercise my demons- literally and figuratively. Instead of giving into the negative talk or the cravings, I listen then move past them.
Good for you!
I do way too much treating…my brain needs the adjustments you’ve written about so sensibly here. You inspire me.
That’s so very sensible of you.
Wow, that makes so much sense. I have heard of people going to therapy for food addictions but it never really understood why. I thought the whole idea was silly, but what you said is so true. That two minute high.
A few years ago there was a short lived comedy called Starved. It was about four friends that attended overeaters annoymous. It was really funny, and yet a little sad. I wish the show lasted longer, I could relate to it. I think a lot of people could have.
Wow, what an excellent analogy. I guess I’ve never thought about eating crap like an addiction. But it totally is. And seriously, 1% of a week? I have no excuse! That is a great way to look at it!
Thanks!
I’m with you. I’m going to prove that I can control my brain. It is not an unmanageable toddler…this is WITHIN my control.
What a great post! Is it okay, though, if I don’t start this new way of thinking until January 1st?
Excellent point and excellent post. You’re spot on.
This makes a LOT of sense. But DAMN YOU for posting it the day before my Thanksgiving pig out!
I agree, that does make a lot of sense. I think I may adapt this way of thinking myself. Soon, very soon.
You go, Short Stuff! I’m so proud of you! You look great and more importantly, you feel better about yourself!
I am delighted!
You look amazing.
And the whole 1% of time thing – ridiculous. That’s my new way of looking at it.
Sweet! I wish I had that kind of willpower! I’ve been trying to eat more sensibly, but, just like an addict, I feel like I just CANNOT give up my Dr. Pepper and my cheese sandwiches! (My main vices…)
BTW, Tag, you’re it! Visit my blog to see!
This is a great post. I’ll think about this tonight when I pass on the cookies n cream ice cream. It’s a good way to think of it.
Good for you. You should always be looking to the end result and knowing that with the willpower you can overcome. Looking forward to more updates…
I love this post. Did you write it for me? I’ve come back to it 3 times to re-read it. Think I might just have to print it out and put it on my fridge door.
I’m so over being tired, fat and unhappy.
Exactly – once again proving that who we are is a reflection of what we do.
You are 100% correct. I recently had the same realization and have been quite happy with the results! I run 20 minutes 6 days a week, not good at math so I’m not going to try and figure out what percent of my week that is. But good for you, good for us! You gave me another bit of motivation! Thank you.
Doesn’t it feel great to run? I feel high when I get off my treadmill.
Try one of the Jane Fonda tapes, they work for me. I have worked myself up to “On Golden Pond”.
I have a lot of trouble with your 1% analogy and how you could be doing more with the other 99%. You forget the 33% sleeping, 33% working, another – what? – 6% travelling to and from work, the 3% to get up in the morning and get ready for work, the… well you get the idea. You’ve got kids so imagine how much time they take!
Don’t beat yourself up over percentages of time. Be moderate on the sweets (he types with a bowl of ice cream) but enjoy yourself.
Wow…. yeah…. you’re right… You are going on the bloglog.
Good post. Say no to fat Chicks!!!