Tags
diet, exercise, fitness, getting in shape, health, I love carbs, south beach
That’s me, at about age 3 or 4… and probably the last time my weight wasn’t an issue in my life. Except for the obsession with Underoos, I was a pretty normal kid. But bad habits and a family who expresses love (and all the other emotion) with food turned me from the average lil’ superhero to a chubby chica by the age of about 7. I can still remember the awful feeling when I realized I was bigger than all my friends. Not surprisingly, I developed a quick wit that was always ready with a comeback for anyone who tried teasing me. Although I inherited the metabolism of a Galapagos Tortoise, I was blessed with a brain full of smarts. Because the only thing more traumatizing than growing up as a fat girl, is growing up as a stupid fat girl.
One of the best things I ever heard about insults and barbs being throws came from the movie “Paris is Burning”, when Dorian Corey is explaining the art of throwing shade. Thankfully, I saw this movie while I was still in high school and it helped me get some perspective. In a nutshell, calling a fat person “fat” is an observation, not really much an insult. If the best the asshole making fun of me for being chubs can come up with is a (poorly delivered, by the way) fat joke, he’s not really worth worrying too much about. Thanks, and enjoy peaking at the age of 16… and the premature ejaculation.
Anyway, back to me. I’ve struggled with weight all of my adult life, gained and lost, lost and gained, the whole chunky roller coaster. It doesn’t help that I have zero interest in sports or any physical activity that requires actual physical activity. I wrote about starting a running (okay, fine, jogging) program a few months ago, and that’s still going well. Even when I lost motivation and didn’t feel like running, I made myself at least get out and walk. Something crazy happened… for the first time ever, I didn’t gain any weight back. I wasn’t really losing anything anymore, but I was managing to keep off the 10 or so pounds I’d already lost.
Here’s my cliche moment, ready? It was like someone flipped a switch in a dark, cobwebbed part of my brain. Oh! So, this is how it works? If I keep doing some sort of exercise and watching what I eat I can maintain progress? Hmm… good to know. Instead of doing what I always do (reach for the remote and the bag of something fried and salted), I decided I might be on to something with this whole diet and exercise thing. As luck would have it, a couple of friends mentioned the South Beach diet, and I decided to look into it.
There are thousands upon thousands of diets out there, and I’ve tried my fair share. South Beach actually sounded reasonable, and something I could learn to do everyday, not just for a couple of months. After hearing about it from a couple of friends and reading through the nitty gritty of the book, I decided to go for it. It helped that another friend was into the idea as well, and would be my SBB (South Beach Buddy). The phrase, “Misery loves company” has never felt for apt.
The most daunting part seems to be Phase One, a two week “detox” that’s recommended for people (like me) are lovers of all things carby and sugary. It blows – no bread, pasta, or fruit. The obvious things are forbidden too: alcohol, chips, cookies, candy, chocolate, aka everything I love. It’s only two weeks, then we’ll get to add a bunch of other foods in Phase Two. I am counting the minutes until I can can have brown rice.
A few days in, and it’s not actually that bad. I made sure to stock up on a variety of Phase One friendly foods so I wouldn’t lose my mind. The most difficult meal is breakfast, I can only think of so many ways to prepare eggs. During the day, I’m surprisingly satisfied. I did get a gnarly headache on day two, but I stayed strong and snacked on some low fat string cheese while imagining zipping up the dress I bought that is currently too small to actually wear in public.
I’m sure the visions will subside by the end of the first week, right?
I am enjoying all this meat and cheese! Although the Italian in me is DYING FOR GNOCCHI! Also I don’t have much of a sweet tooth in general BUT drinking coffee in the mornings makes me crave a sweet snack or at least a banana so that sucks. WAIT! I bet if I eat a spoonful of peanut butter that might help!
I keep fantasizing about eating a spoonful of peanut butter! I was fine facing a bagel (which is normally my favorite breakfast no-no), but the jar of extra chunky peanut butter in the cupboard is what’s really been singing a siren’s call to me.
I wanted to thank you for writing this and being so open such a touchy subject (at least for myself) The funny thing is as I was reading your column…I was having tiny flashbacks to days of eating pizza like was going out of style, chunging down gallons of pepsi. Oh let’s not forget, our unforgettable trips to Baskin Robbins. As I relieze it
now, food was one of our buddies. We took great joy eating and laughing. Remember the pickles! Just to share, being chubbers took a whole toll on my life. I It was a very challenging time for me, from teenage years and to adult hood, It made very self-counscious and any remark that was made about me, I took personally. Looking back, I can say in some ways I let ruin my life, with a rash of bad decsions only because I had bad esteem. If I only I had your quick wit, perhaps I could have avoided alot. hahaha
Anyway, with expericence over the years, I learned that what really matter is what inside.Without loving yourself first, you can
never fix what is on the outside.
Well I must say, you look great chica! Keep up the good work, and take pride in every step. Oh by the way..may I suggest you write a book “witty comebacks for women” Take Care ~Marcie
Oh, Marcie… I look back at some of the horrible things we used to eat and wish I had a time machine to go back and warn myself! But we live and learn, right? We wouldn’t be who we are without all those chocolate covered, deep fried bumps in the road.
1) Thank you for sharing the backstory with us…some of those early days must have been difficult and you’re to be commended on coming through it all so well.
2) Well done on what you’ve accomplished so far, and keep up the good work
3) You are a knockout, and I hope you don’t ever believe differently <3
Thank you! As difficult as it was, I’d never change things, because I can’t imagine being any different than the way I am now. Despite all my grumbling about getting older, and all my fears of life after 30 (eeeeek!), I’ve found an incredible sense of freedom that comes from letting go of all the junk and being comfortable in my own skin. Having terrific friends helps. =)
great post! I am on weight watchers and it works pretty well! its the only “diet” plan i have ever been on, and its slow progress (i am not too strict) but you can eat a little bit of everything which i like
i do use some southbeach diet recipes because ww recipes aren’t that great. good luck with it!