I love food…
I’m downright passionate about it, even.
To the point that I always feel like I’m cheating on my dinner date because I *ENJOY* my food so much. 😀 “hmm? you were talking?” haha
Even now that I am on the low carb diet, I love my new foods. As you can see in the picture to the left, which was taken in Colorado Springs, there’s nothing on my mind except how juicy and delicious that big fat strawberry is. Pure Bliss!
I’ve been made fun of countless times for my love of food. Comments such as “are you going to eat it, or date it?” are not uncommon. My reply? “I’m not sure yet.” LOL.
Ahh, and see the buffet in the background? Yeah. An endless supply of low carb foods to indulge in. Nice!
Is It Healthy To LOVE Food So Much?
I used to struggle with emotional eating. Wait, struggle is the wrong word. I didn’t have a single bit of trouble overeating, lol. I struggled with the results, I guess. 😛
That didn’t change much when I first started eating low carb. That’s actually why I chose this diet as a means of losing weight – because I knew portions weren’t an issue, and that you could eat as much (of the right foods) as you wanted.
But I did start to examine my reason for overeating, and I started being more conscious of how I felt afterward (um, can you say FOOD COMA, lol).
I worked on the underlying issues, the reason I was doing that – and started breaking the habit.
I still love food, mind you. And I still consider every bite an indulgence and an experience. I’m just no longer eating myself sick…
Rewards & Punishments (We’re Too Hard On Ourselves!)
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my “food affair”, and about food associations in general. Such as rewarding myself for eating well, punishing myself for NOT eating well, how I feel – and the conversation that goes on in my head – when I cheat, and the fact that I even call it “cheating”.
I have been making it a habit to ask myself “Why?” more and more. About everything, every decision, especially as it relates to food and weight loss and dieting. I am REALLY listening to my answers too, and realizing some of them are just plain wrong. So it’s a process of reprogramming the way I make choices, and the way I feel about certain things – like myself. 🙂
I would love to hear your thoughts – literally. How do you feel when you indulge, or “cheat”? What makes you want to pig out in the first place, and do you punish yourself for it? I know some people eat for pleasure, others eat just for fuel (because they have to). Which are you?
Howard says
I finally got the conclusion to my series on my low-carb journey published on my blog last night (comments welcome). One of the things that I mentioned there is that I don’t generally feel any urge at all to ‘cheat’, even when some well-meaning fool brings the sugar-gluten-transfat bombs to work and leaves them out in the break room. It has nothing at all to do with willpower, and everything to do with not being ravenously hungry all the time like I was when I was eating low-fat crap like “healthy whole grains.”
I think maybe I have a real advantage in that I can clearly remember the crippling arthritis I had when I was eating that stuff, and being pain-free is a good motivator to stay ‘clean.’ If I notice any appetite at all between meals, I will sometimes prepare a “bulletproof” coffee (decaf after 10am). Better than just about any snack I’ve ever found in a vending machine!
Lynn Terry says
Feeling great is a good reason to eat well, for sure. I’m curious Howard – do you eat for pleasure, or for fuel? Are you at all passionate about food, or more passionate about your health and how you feel?
Howard says
I’m definitely not a ‘foodie’ (my wife is), but I do enjoy eating good food. But I think most people would consider my diet regime to be really boring. I am more concerned with general well-being than with eating. On low-carb, I often forget to eat.
Lynn Terry says
LOL I could never forget to eat. It’s hard enough for me to forget about food/eating for any period of time. π haha
Serena says
I definitely am more of a “live to eat” person than an “eat to live,” unfortunately! Sometimes I wish my taste buds didn’t work so well. π
I do tend to kick myself when I eat too much, but of course it doesn’t do any good. So I’m trying to think of it this way: If I’m going to eat this, I’m going to enjoy it and not feel guilty. But at the same time, making an effort not to overindulge.
Lynn Terry says
I am the same way, Serena. If I am going to have something, I might as well ENJOY it. But like you, in moderation. π Then back on track after without guilt.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
What’s quite amazing is that I have the best will power on the face of the planet. I do not want or crave anything processed, refined, etc… instead I CRAVE salmon, sashimi, spaghetti squash, spinach… in fact my stomach is gurgling for it RIGHT NOW! I do eat a heck of a lot of these foods, but honestly who could beat themselves up for eating… 2 pounds of spaghetti squash in a sitting? AH HA HA HA! Now, when I eat like 2 pounds of salmon… that’s sort of pushing it, but it’s just too dang good! LOL.
I certainly eat like a football player, but thankfully it’s not of pancakes!
http://gigieatscelebrities.com/2012/01/31/sloppy-glamour/
(PS: Used to live in Boulder, CO!)
Lynn Terry says
Colorado is just beautiful. π
I do love that portions are not an issue on the low carb diet. That’s the reason I chose it, LOL. I’m with you – I love my healthy foods!!
Trenia says
Do you go crazy with the carbs if you eat some carbs?
Lynn Terry says
I don’t. I have no desire to overeat anymore. I feel content when I’m no longer hungry, instead of eating myself so full I feel sick. Thank goodness. π
Carrie says
I have to tell you what a God sent finding your blog was!!! You are such an inspiration and encouragement with all your postings, thoughts, and success. I got back on LC the end of December from an unsuccessful experience with Nutrisystem. I did low carb years ago and lost a decent amount of weight. How much, I don’t know. I know that my 14’s were falling off of me. I have a problem with bingeing and noticed on low carb that my binges are rare if at all. I always felt like there was something wrong with me and it is so refreshing to hear that other people suffer with the same issue and there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I’m not the lonestar.
I recently started back on LC Tuesday due to the fact that I have been emotionally eating and totally sabatoging myself. I truly feel that I am in the right state of mind and ready to do this for real!! I need to lose about 50 lbs and plan on getting married the middle of next year and then start to have a family. I need to do this for myself.
SO THANK YOU, Lynn!! Sharing your experiences has really motivated me. Congratulations on your success!! I can’t wait for me to be a success some day.
Lynn Terry says
Hi Carrie, nice to meet you! Congrats on your engagement. π I bet you’re super excited about your wedding & starting a family!!
I experienced the same when eating low carb, much less cravings & binges, or even a desire to binge. It’s so interesting too, after being an emotional eater all my adult life!
I still get off track sometimes. And when I do, the desire to binge and the cravings – all come back. That’s what always encourages me to ditch that again and go back to “eating clean”. I feel MUCH better (physically and mentally lol).
Welcome to Traveling Low Carb! I look forward to getting to know you, and hearing more from you. π