Being a vegetarian and being healthy are two completely unrelated things. I sincerely wish that restaurants would get the memo and stop offering vegetarian items that are low-fat and on whole wheat tortillas. I don't eat animals, but I'm not anorexic. Let me say it another way...I love fat!! Fat equals flavor. (I like whole wheat, incidentally. But I'd never order it in a restaurant, because no one else does, which means it will undoubtably be dry and stale.)
You know what else I love? Candy. I was describing to a friend how much I love candy. She was like, "Yeah, so do I." As I went on, and she started to grasp the extent of my love, she said, "Oh, so you've got a candy problem." Yes. Yes I do. For example, sometimes, I eat candy instead of lunch. On purpose. Because I'm not hungry enough for both.
A month or so ago, my cousin asked what kind I liked best. How can I pick a favorite? It's like picking a favorite child. (Simon). So, I tried to list a few. Cinnamon bears, Big Hunk, sour watermelons, Hot Tamales, banana Runts? And then there's chocolate. Mmmmmm...chocolate. It also depends on the season. Christmas's peppermint bark or Easter's SweeTarts gummy bunnies? I mean, it can change depending on my mood and the weather.
So, a couple months ago, Gus and I decided to go on a candy-free diet. I've quit candy before. Maybe for a month. It's always tough, but I can usually make it. Gus and I decided on two weeks. (He didn't even eat desserts and had me put Kiefer and spinach salad in his lunch instead of juice and apples, because he thought it was healthier. Yes, he's pretty awesome.)
We did it, but my cravings were still so intense that I decided it needed to be longer. I found myself reflexively going to the candy bowl over and over and over. I was having cold sweats and the shakes. (I'm only slightly exaggerating here.)
I decided to hold out. I was going to break myself of this addiction if it killed me.
During this process, I noticed my clothes were fitting a little looser. I don't weigh myself often, because it plays tricks on the old brain. But I'd been to the docs office in January, so I knew about what I weigh. I hopped on the scale to find I was roughly five pounds lighter.
That's how much candy I was eating.
I'm not saying I'll never eat candy again. But I'm past the night sweats and the slobbering Pavlovian response. And it took like fully eight weeks to get that way. So, I'm not exactly anxious to fall off this wagon again.
(P.S. I promise I'm not one of those insufferable skinny-people-who-thinks-they're-fat. But I did gain about five pounds when I moved to Texas (re: queso). So now—I figure—me and Texas are even. Also, I don't really have a favorite child. Or if I did, I'd never tell. (Gus.))
9 comments:
OMG so funny!! I was telling Val today when I was getting my hair colored how much I LOVE candy and that every night I have a little bowl (filled up many times) of hot tamale's, starbursts, sour patch kids etc...
I am positive I am going to get type II diabetes! I LOVE candy! :)
We need to talk candy someday - -I'm a candy-addict from way back. I'm just not brave enough to try to do without it. I have to admit I'm in awe of you!!
About a month ago, I came home from Target with two huge bags of Sour Patch Kids and Peanut m&ms. A week and a half later, after burning through both bags, Travis BANNED me from ever bringing home that much candy again. We'll see...
From a non-native Utahn point of view, I see the candy addiction as a very Mormon thing. I knew a woman who was a non-drinker when I met her and I never knew an adult who ate so much candy! (Mormon) I think it's because that's the only vice you've got. Seriously. I guess if I didn't drink gallons of coffee and then wine at night, I might be more into candy. As it is, I love my nightly squares of chocolate.
But I never did understand the sugar candy (starburst, gummy worms, sweettarts, etc.) addiction. But chocolate I totally get.
I have a couple of rules for myself. Rule one is no candy before lunch - I know pretty pathetic. Rule two is no dessert after dessert. No I don't live them perfectly. I just am not that disciplined, but it keeps me from living on sugar, unless I skip lunch. Do not skip lunch should be my rule number three.
But I didn't know about the Easter sweet tart bunnies. I've been missing some possibilities....
karen, you're so strong! i often just eat sweets instead of meals since i figure that will mean less overall. i mean, life is short so eat dessert first, right? however, with your success, maybe i will give up the mega-sized bag of nestle semi-sweet chocolate chip bag that i seem to kill every two weeks. sigh. i like sue's advice: no dessert after dessert. dang it! why do we have to be grown up!
Ok, so Karin i've been doing the same thing (for different reasons) and I've GAINED 7 pounds. Go figure! Good for you!
Back in 1997 I was having my monthly chat (with Mary this time) about how much I hate how I look. We both knew that I had zero zero zero self-control when it came to candy. Always have. So Mary challenged me to go a week. And then I went 2 and so on, you get the idea because you just went through that. I've stayed away from it ever since. I don't really miss it anymore, except for red vines. Sigh. So it was and still is hard sometimes, but oh so worth it! So hooray for you!!
ps: I stil have some cookies and cake, but I can't eat a ton of those, either. Chocolate fix? I just buy a bag of chocolate chips and eat a small handful every now and then. :)
@debi...hahaha!
@Dr. Write...I was offended at the stereotype for 4 seconds. Just enough time to realize the truth of it. But now, I have all the vices. Ugh!
@Sue: Hilarious.
I love how passionate people are about this subject! :)
Post a Comment