Post Baby #1
Ok ya’ll, you know I’m keepin’ it real if I’m actually posting this hideous photo of myself on the internet! I wanted to write a piece about my relationship with food and in order to do that I needed to show you that (at times) that relationship was an abusive one… hence the inappropriate upper arm fat and badonkadonk that’s happening above.
This weekend we took the boys to Pismo Beach, a vacation destination in the central coast of California that I have visited at least a million times throughout my life. Originally, I started taking photos of each meal because I wanted write a post about what a sweet town it is and recommend it as your next go-to beach. And then I noticed a trend…
Biscuits and Gravy
Don't Forget Breakfast Potatoes!
Chili in a Bread Bowl
The “trend” in question is that whenever I can find a reason to indulge (a holiday, a vacation, it’s Tuesday) I can (and will) consume more calories in a single sitting than some professional wrestlers. All thoughts of waistline or pant size go right out the window when confronted with a basket of steak fries and it’s a problem I’ve had as long as I can remember.
If you read last week’s Mom-Fession post than that I’ve been so hard to get the boys to eat more vegetables. So how is it that when given a bit a leeway, I allowed myself to eat a cinnamon roll the size of my head?!
- Fish and Chips
Years ago, I was watching an episode of Oprah and some weight loss guru asked a group of obese people “what is food to you?”. I thought it was such an interesting question, as each person had a different answer. For some, food was the enemy, for others food was their friend. To me, food is fun. Every great memory I have of my childhood (holidays and birthday parties) is centered around my big Okie family gathered around a table and eating something delicious. To this day I eat based on my emotions which is great when life is going good. But if I’m stressed, or tired, or overwhelmed WATCH OUT!
Shake that Laffy Taffy
I suppose the good news, is that years ago I used to eat this way at every meal and then I’d cry when I couldn’t button my jeans having no clue why I couldn’t lose weight. I was a chubby kid, and it’s taken years to get out of that mentality. At least now I’m educated on what it takes to gain and lose weight. I make really healthy choices throughout the week and exercise daily. The issue now, are those darn weekends filled with date nights and brunches where I can easily destroy every positive choice I’ve made all week long.
Does anyone else out there do this? Give themselves “permission” to eat, or worse yet, reward themselves with food? I do it all the time, and abused it to the fullest this weekend. This morning, though, like every other Monday morning I was back at the gym paying penance. And as many times as I fall off the wagon, i just keep getting back on, maybe someday it will stick.
We also ordered pizza!
10 Comments
Amen! For the last two weeks I have been dedicated to a program and lost 7 pounds. After feeling accomplished, I felt I deserved to enjoy the weekend events — at first just one, then another and finally the Oscar party. Now I wonder if it was all for not last week as I work hard to get back on the wagon as well as the eliptical today. I aspire to not fall into that trap every time… it will take me more practice. But with words from someone else who has lived to tell the tale, I hear you and I aspire to walk around the trap without even looking at it.
Well! I could have written this post in its entirety, literally word for word. I, too, have only the best memories of food, and large family gatherings, and am forever “starting on Monday”, pretty much weekly. It is so hard Rachel!
I gain and lose the same 10/15lbs over and over and the minute the jeans are fitting better, I tell myself, “I can eat that, I am thin” (that’s ususally after a 5 lb weight loss) and then go off the rails. I also know how and what to eat, but it’s so much more boring then just eating yummy and fun food! TG I always work out or what the scale says and what I actually look like would be horrific! Thanks for the super honest post, I really enjoyed it!
Also, dying to read your other “mom-fession” but it keeps linking back to this same article. Check the link.
Finally, the turkey burgers are a STAPLE at our house. My toddler, Mia, loves them too (for once!). We have them at least every other week.
I have the EXACT same relationship with food as you do!!! It is pure entertainment and fun for me too! My husband and I planned out honeymoon around eating!! Seriously! And I use food as reward ALL the time. I also use it to punish! Ohhhhhh……it’s aweful but so so true! Thanks for being honest and posting this!!!! I think there are many of us that have this relationshoip with food. I probably loose an dgain 20-40 pounds a year. Yikes! Can you imaging what it’s doing to my metabolism!!!
Great post! thanks for sharing!
I agree. Best post ever. I read the title and instantly wanted to know more, because I think it’s something that is a common struggle. And look, the fact that anyone SELLS cinnamon buns the size of your head is actually part of the problem! Excellent post.
Ladies, I so appreciate your honesty too. It definitely makes me feel more “normal” to hear that other women struggle with the same stuff. I keep going back to my soap box, which is that “My Chic Life” is the pursuit of a better life. Some days I make it there, some days I don’t but I try (really hard) not to beat myself up about it. I just wake up every day, and try again to be my best.
Keep up the good work, and I’ll do the same. I love hearing about your similar journey!!
xoxo, Rachel
I’m sensing a kindred spirit here! Food is fun, food is comforting, food is YUMMY! I enjoy shopping for food, preparing food and especially eating good food.
The only difference for me is metabolism. Until I turned 30, I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Then, it seemed that the second I turned 30, the weight gain began. I reduced the amount I ate. Increased my activity. Gave up drinking sweet iced tea and *horror*, Pepsi. And I still gained weight.
Now, I’m two months into an intensive “lifestyle change”. Puhlease, it’s a damn diet. And after two months of very little bread, low-fat cheese and NO baking… I’ve lost 7 lbs. Today, I’d rather be fat.
Maybe tomorrow will be different…
Hooray Rachel! That took a lot of guts. While what you say is so true, we foodies do look for reasons (excuses) to eat way more than your average small nation. We too, have the ongoing battle of eating healthy or stuffing our little pork pie faces with all those comfort foods we enjoy so much. (not Fluffernutters anymore). Since I am the cooker guy in the family, I have substituted fattening fare with healthy replacements. Also, it’s so much easier to eat healthier if the meal is prepared at home. We cut out the extra fats, the carb loading, having vegetables with lunches and dinners, and small but tasty, well balanced breakfasts. Snacking we (try) to keep to a minimum, or at least if it’s something bad (good) we portion it out and put the giant costco bag of chips away!
I don’t know if anyone remembers bagels they way they used to be, but why are they 3 times the size today?
We’re in a society that has come to mean “Supersize”. If we go out to dinner, take half and put it in a doggie bag immediately. Take the other half home, it’s another full meal anyway.
Salads can be very enjoyable, but very fattening as well. Get the dressing on the side. Otherwise there enough oil in there to fire up your VW Diesel and take it out for a ride on the PCH.
I don’t want to preach (sort of) but sometimes it just gets to me. Portions today are out of control.
When somebody gives me a recommendation for restaurant, and I ask “is the food good?” I don’t want to hear, “The portions are huge!”
One more rant. Substitute Extra virgin Olive Oil for most fats, especially butter. If you feel the need to spread on a half inch of butter on that piece of bread, try dipping it in some Olive Oil with some freshly cracked black pepper. I think it’s one reason why Europeans are thinner than we are.
Anyway, I’ve gone on long enough and hope I haven’t annoyed anyone. In other words……I could say much more!
Ha ha, Cynthia I love your comment “today I’d rather be fat!”. I have those days too!
But 7 lbs is awesome, and SO hard to come by! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Rachel! My nutritionist isn’t so happy with it
I’m back on the bandwagon next week – total 20 lbs by May or bust!
Pls note you are doing a lot of things right now and shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. One, growing a human being Two) managing two small children Andthree thru five) catering, blogging , and I’m sure planning fab parties for demanding west coast party-goers. A woman doing all that deserves a few carbohydrates. If you were a buff health food goddess on top of all this it would be too much for the rest of us to take