But... it was delish.
It’s almost noon and I’ve already walked 7.9 miles, moved fifty-one bricks to different locations, and done three loads of laundry which entails traversing many, many stairs.
So why am I not losing weight? It might be all the food I’m eating.
A friend told me this morning you can eat anything you want and not gain weight; the key is eating only half of anything.
So, that brings me down to 2.5 brownies, three pieces of pizza, a fourth of a box of Wheat Thins, and half a hummus plate with the works. Before noon.
Still too much by anyone’s standards. Why do I eat so much? Lots of reasons.
First, emotional eating. I eat when I’m happy, lonely, depressed; mad. It doesn’t seem to make a difference.
Second, avoidance eating. Strange but true. I don’t avoid eating, but I do eat to avoid doing other things. Like drowning in my eighty-two-year-old father’s tangled finances. When he writes red-inked notes like “Solve, then pitch” in the margins of confusing insurance explanations, I just know it’s going to be an hour minimum of phone calls.
Third, procrastination eating. Although I don’t procrastinate eating—ha, ha like that would ever happen—I do eat when I’m restless, bored, and while not exactly avoiding writing (Oh, I want to write that last chapter…), sometimes I can’t seem to sit my derrière at my desk and do it. So… I eat.
Fourth, it’s available. If there’s something good around… I eat it. Can’t pass up trying that ooey-gooey chocolate cake dripping with chocolate icing? Neither can I. Have a couple of extra dollars in your pocket as you drive by Dairy Queen and suddenly yearn for a chocolate Heath Blizzard? So do I! At the last minute, try as you might, you give into the impulse of buying a little bag of chips at the check-out counter? Uh-huh. Been there, done that.
A number of times.
Seems like ever since I was on vacation a few weeks ago (and yes, I recognized the problem a few days after returning), I haven’t been able to flip my mind out of vacation mode eating.
So, what’s a girl to do? I don’t want to stop eating, though I know I should slow down. The only other alternative is more exercise. By some people’s standards I exercise a LOT. Just ask the dog; our walks average a minimum of ten miles plus per day.
I'll go as long as you go.
I’m left with no choice. I have to up the ante and exercise more intensely (translate sweat profusely), lift weights, and cross-train. Should I actually start running? There was a time many years ago before marathon training became so popular, when I ran five miles a day accompanied by a would-be boyfriend who lived to encourage me as I ran. (Didn’t really enjoy it then, but the eating trade-offs were crazy.) My own personal trainer, again before it was the norm.
Yesterday, I bought a pair of those new (to me) Vibram FiveFingers—the barefoot running shoes many are raving about. Yes, I read the book pointing the way for barefoot running Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall, but what I remember most was learning about chia seeds, which I now eat in all my smoothies and more. See the trend of my mind?
Ready and waiting.
So, what am I waiting for? I have a pair of shoes just waiting for me to MOVE. I’ve researched the pros and cons of barefoot running and polled all my Facebook friends. I have no other choice.
We all need a magic bullet every once in a while. As rabid as it sounds… I’m going to do it. I’m going to run.
And… who knows how far those little shoes might take me? ~ JD here.
Sit. Desk. Write. 
Ah, your lamentations sound all too familiar! I’ve been swimming and recently working out at a new ladies only gym plus, the perennial digging, weeding, mulching, watering and myriad other gardening chores. And, Not eating 5 or even 2.5 brownies!
It’s downright depressing. But I persevere. If I’m not losing at least I’m not gaining, so I tell myself to cheer myself up. If I ever come up with a (palatable) answer, I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, I feel your pain, sister!
Thanks for the camaraderie, Candace! It’s either nap or take massive action! 🙂
You poor skinny girl. Don’t forget the green bean diet:)))))
My dear Paula, I am not skinny. I am short, though… And, luckily I do like green beans! 🙂
You make me smile as always with your witty repartee. I can so relate to the eating habits. Although, for me there is another twist…IF I am immersed in writing or making art I forget to eat. I don’t feel hunger because I don’t want to stop what I’m doing to take the time to eat. I’m THAT into it. However, the downside is when I stop and realize I’m famished I may eat more than Proper Portions. *sigh* My favorite line was in your comment above when you wrote, “It’s either nap or take massive action!” Thank you for that as well. It’s time for less napping and more moving at my house too…
Thanks, Janean ~ You are so right; when I finally stop the busy work and become involved in one activity I love, be it writing, jewelry-making, or gardening, for example; the hours evaporate without my taking a single bite of food. Funny how that works!
Another reason not to multi-task if you can help it. (My focus-on-one-thing-at-a-time husband would probably love this article: Multi-Tasking Can Make You Fat ~ http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/multi-tasking-can-make-you-fat. Perhaps he won’t read these comments that closely – ha!)
It also helps to have something “ready” to munch, because if I don’t, like you, I’m so famished I don’t think about it. Thanks again ~ JD
I started barefoot running about a month ago. No shoes. Just treadmill so far. Loving it and will never go back to shoes. With the eating, think of it as a lifestyle. The good, old way of eating in the USA is huge servings of everything. Most of us overeat by a ton every single day. Your friend was right–cut all portions in half. Once you get used to what a portion size really looks like, you’ll be amazed at just how we’re sold a bill of goods when it comes to eating.
Good luck with the running. Look forward to reading more about your journey into running in Vibrams.
Hi Jen, thanks for sharing your experience! (I’d love to hear how you manage running on a treadmill without being bored.)
You are so right about the portion size. Why I feel entitled to half of everything my husband and I eat when it’s the two of us is something I have to work on. He is bigger and has those male genes that convert food to muscle faster than me, but when I’m hungry… I just eat.
One thing I do try is using a smaller plate. When I’m in the Zone, I have the willppower for two people. It’s getting back into the Zone, and thinking rationally instead of piggishly that causes me issues. Hopefully this sudden drastic move of actually running with the help of a new tool (the Vibrams) will help.
As I get older, it’s more about health, balance, and strength, than looks. Although… yes, I would like to get back into a certain pair of jeans!
I will continue to report on my progress with the Vibrams, too. Thanks for asking! ~ JD