Saw a documentary recently about being overweight in America. Which could honestly be for any "westernized" country, though especially so for the good ol' US of A.Essentially, it analyzed what's become a culture of over eating. It traces back to the Great Depression, and the reactions of an entire country after being on rations. Basically, they say that once the country righted itself, we had Scarlett O'Hara syndrome. As God as our witnesses, we will never go hungry again. Now, restaurants and grocery stores are very much about
supplying the most food for the least buck. Couple that with increasingly processed food products and incredibly increasing sedentary lifestyle, and BAM! We're fat, we're fat.I have to admit, I totally was influenced by it all. Especially since I was raised in a family that really stressed getting the value out of a dollar. I would see any uneaten food as wasted money. I still do, unfortunately. Of course, now, I know what I was doing and work against it. I'm not afraid of food going to waste now. Those starving folks in Africa be damned. No, wait, I didn't mean it like that...great, now I'm gonna get hate mail. I simply mean that the guilt trips don't work anymore, I won't be guilted in to over eating.
I've lost 32.6 pounds since Jan. 31. I'm just above 180 lbs now, and I am shooting for 167. The Queen marvels at how she can now completely put her arms around me and then some. A belt is pretty much a necessary accessory, as I've lost about 4 inches off the waist.
And if I can do it, all fat asses can. Though, this documentary also mentioned that once you have weight, the body will go to great lengths to retain it. So the heavier you are the harder you have to work. But I'm seriously one of the laziest, most unmotivated person around, and I eat very quickly, which lends to obesity (you don't realize your full until you've already eaten too much). What's your excuse then?
Also, small tip. You ever been eating, and midway or so through the meal you've sighed? Stop eating. That's your body saying "I'm cool." You should always listen to your body.
Side note...I barely broke 135 at best in high school. Sopping wet. I don't think I'll ever see that weight again, because my body changed around 19 or so (shoulders widened significantly, for one), but it's tough to even remember being that thin anymore. And that worries and motivates me the most.
Whooo! Hoooo! Bart, good for you, I am proud. I am struggling ever so hard with this weight of mine, and both hubby and I have really cut down (not on a diet - I refuse to say those words) and eat better. I eat 3 healthy squares (not like before skipping brekkie and lunch and McD's for supper). Big mistake. And 32.6 excellent...keep us all utd. It truly is a battle, but we have done it to ourselves by giving in to the giant fast-food industry. Anyways, enought lecture.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great accomplishment on the weight loss. I'm on a new plan and I have tried to totally revamp how I look at food and portion sizes and I'm amazed. I'd thought I'd be chewing an arm after a meal but I'm glad to admit I'm FULL after I eat the puny serving sizes suggested by the food pyramid gods. It really becomes a frame of mind for people these days and I for one have had a hard time adjusting.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work!
i was saying something about this to a friend a couple of months ago. if you go out to eat, i swear you can feed the whole table from one plate. it's better at lunch time when they give you smaller portions, but in my case that just means i get only one meal of leftovers instead of two from my doggie bag. =P
ReplyDeleteI often think it's amazing how things flip 180 degrees so often. Just 40 years ago or less, it was a sin to leave food on your plate. And now it is a sin to eat it all. Now we just need to find a way to re-distribute it. But I digress. Kudos to you for breaking that tough habit so many of us are stuck in! And keep up the good work! (It's a bitch, isn't it? :-P )
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