I don’t diet, and not just because I suck at it. For me–Miss Teen Bulimia 1983–it triggers all kinds of obsessional thinking that makes me rebel against my own restrictions. Before I know it, I’ve eschewed the steamed veggies and grilled chicken and am chomping through sleeves of Girl Scout cookies like Ms. Pac Man on a bender, and I wind up gaining weight and feeling like a big ol’ loser who is lacking in willpower to boot. And then there’s the tiny, minor detail I managed to ignore for almost 30 years: I don’t really need to lose weight. Sure, I could stand to lose a few pounds, but I don’t need to, and I’ve finally realized that as long as I’m going to eat what I want, I may as well feel neutral about it instead of like crying.
So I don’t tend to read dieting articles or blogs or any of that. But in trying to find other blogs whose readers would dig this one, I came across doesthisblogmakeuslookfat.com and I was hooked. SO freakin’ funny–anyone who has ever picked an arbitrary day to reboot a resolution and then had to do it again will enjoy. What’s more, nice people. Check out the lovely Formerly Hot boost they posted. So here’s me, returning the favor! I love this post, and this one, too.
April 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
Love the idea of feeling “neutral” about weight. I aim for this. Good stuff, Steph!
April 17, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I also hate dieting…but I have found this year, after working with a nutritionist, that giving up wheat and sugar has killed two birds: I crave sweets less and my energy level is more even…meaning that I feel more like exercising…which keeps my weight stable. I figure as long as I fit into my jeans, it’s all good. Neutral is just the right goal.
April 20, 2010 at 5:47 am
First, love “packman on a bender” and loved this post. I think the second most people feel deprived they head straight the other way. I love you coming to the realization you don’t need to lose weight. I wish more people could make that leap. I also think, as a hopefully sane nutritionist, that we can work on behaviors such as cooking more, buying more local foods, finding enjoyable exercise that don’t make us rebel. OK off to check out the link you suggested, great post.