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| So tempted to put a subtitle but you have an idea what I'd say |
As much as I love new foods and nutrition information, we can’t
lose sight of the basics. I am always going to be a fan of proper hydration,
vegetables and food journaling. My clients who keep their food journals (aka as
food diaries or food bibles) get better results. In an effort to emphasize the positive
side of losing weight or changing behaviors, I have some clients keep a “Victory List”. This list enumerates successful choices in
the course of a day “resisted the cookie plate” or “packed lunch for the
office”.
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading the highbrow NY Post. The headline spoke of a sex diary RFK kept. RFK was a serial adulterer and though exact reasons aren’t
known his wife took her life last year. At first, I was sickened to read of his
conquests with 37 women interspersed with details about his wife and 4 children.
Then I noticed a few things. RFK used the word “victory” on the days he
resisted the urge to philander. He describes his exploits as his “biggest
defect” and was actually content when he is imprisoned (for protesting) because
there were no women around him. All of a sudden I was sympathetic. I relate to
this; in some ways this is oddly similar to what I hear day in and day out in
my office.
Sure, eating a cronut is different from eating…moving on. In
most cases, emotional eating, binge eating or simply overeating does not
devastate those closest to us. And yet food- resisting food and managing food
is an overwhelming struggle for many people. RFK accounted for his affairs with
a 1-10 scale. So 10 indicated having sex, I have no idea what that makes a 3.
This has a striking resemblance to the minutes of cardio or “b” for binge my
clients use. If you think about it, we
also describe “cheating” on our diets (though I don’t love that term when it
comes to food).
We each have our defects. While I judged away reading about
RFK’s, I never judge my clients. When they stray, I try to redirect them. I
would do the same for a friend or family member who struggled with drinking (as
Mary Kennedy did), drugs, gambling or any other dependency. Then why, if I
envision finding a racy journal like this from Marc do I know I’d go apeshit (going apeshit may be my biggest flaw)?
Do you think sex and
food are similar “defects”? If not, why
do we view them differently? Do you keep a journal or food journal? And what is
your biggest defect?
Update: the winner of the Quinn popcorn giveaway is Elyse and the winner of the Manitoba hemp giveaway is Jordan, congratulations.
Update: the winner of the Quinn popcorn giveaway is Elyse and the winner of the Manitoba hemp giveaway is Jordan, congratulations.
Isn't it ironic that people's defects are often read in their diaries. So consistent in one area (writing) and yet troubled in another. Did you read the NYT article about messy desk (messy = creative) thought of you.
ReplyDeleteI think it becomes a defect if it affects others, affects our basic productivity and general functioning but point well taken. A flaw or trait doesn't make us defective (tell that to my kids when we are late getting out the door). Re working from home I would set (and maybe even a make a sign) kitchen hours so that even if you work in the kitchen certain hours it isn't open. This works well for many of our clients.
ReplyDeleteWe are all fighting a battle, and we are human. The two are not the same defects but they are both addictions. Good share, Lauren.
ReplyDelete