Getting Back on track in so many ways!

It’s 9am and I’ve been at work for 2 hours already. On my way to refill my cup of water I pass a line of people by the printer. I peeked to see what the commotion was: Yet another box of donuts. Just yesterday we had birthday cake and today we’re scheduled to have birthday ice cream bars for lunch.

This line is long enough to make me realize I have never seen a line up for donuts in an office before. You would think my co-workers are afraid that someone has played a nasty trick on them and 2 of the 3 boxes are, in fact, empty; first 12 get 1.

As I pass the line to the kitchen (and the fridge, where I’ll grab my yogurt), I decide to forego the donut and have the ice cream later; it will be much more satisfying. But, alas, one of the ladies asks if I’m “going to have one?”, “You look like you need it. I’m worried about you girl.” She exclaims.

I’m tired of all the comments I get regarding my (normal on the BMI index) weight, so in my head I reply:  ‘and you look like you don’t, I’m worried about you!’. Keep in mind, I have worked with these people for 2 months and have spoken to them maybe a couple handful of times.

As I throw my yogurt lid in the trash, I notice the 13 gallon bin is already half full of fast food bags from breakfasts eaten. All I can do is sigh.

Just last week I was asked if I was anorexic. This didn’t shock me as much as when she said “you know, just wanted to ask before rumors start.” Rumors? About me and my eating habits? I am 5’6 and 115 lbs. I am a size 4. Over 60% of my office are generally the same height and over 170lbs, so keeping in mind where the comments are coming from, I think to myself: ‘in comparison to you, I probably do look anorexic’, but instead I reply ‘no, I eat all the time! Constantly throughout the day I am munching.’ The difference between us though is that I am munching on fruit, veggies, nuts etc. while you much on chips, donuts and soda while your digesting your Whataburger breakfast and anticipate your mcdonald’s lunch.

I am not trying to bad mouth my co-workers, most of them are extremely nice people, and this is not what this blog is going to be about, but on a side note, it’s hurtful to me, being skinny, when you comment on how you “just want to feed me  a hamburger, or milkshake” (which I’m still waiting for btw–pineapple please), or calling me anorexic. I am happy with my body and I’m finally at a place where I can eat healthy and be satisfied. But what if I were to be like “oh, Jeff are you sure you should be in line for the donuts this morning? You’re looking a little bloaty. Or: Suzy, I don’t mean to be rude, but have you been to the Dr. lately to have your thyroid checked? Looks like you might not be burning as much weight as you should.” I think the rumors would fly about me then!

I don’t feel it’s anyone’s job to judge my weight or eating habits when I cook an awesome dinner almost every night and when asked what I have for lunch, –leftovers from dinner– you say “oh, well it must be nice to have so much time.” Really? To make dinner? I understand people these days are on a tight time restriction, but does that time restriction start when you’re grocery shopping and instead of reaching for the healthier option bread or crackers etc., time restriction sets in and you have to grab the cookies and chips instead?

I don’t have a problem with over weight people either. I know their struggle, I grew up with people in my family plagued by regret and insecurity due to weight. What I do have an issue with is people who ask me how I stay so skinny, or ask for my ‘advice’ on weight loss and then go to KFC for lunch (this has happened), or with people who constantly talk about the weight they need to lose and do the same thing. I am not here to preach how to lose weight either, but as someone who lost 25 lbs and has maintained my weight and healthy life for 3 years now, I think I have some room to share my knowledge and things that I am constantly learning—and I appreciate when people can share with me what they know too!

I read a blog this morning that was ‘freshly pressed’ and the comments that followed are what inspired me to write this. My goal is to get back on track with this blog, which was initially to post recipes that are easy, yet not time consuming; delicious, yet not filled with fat or sugar or corn syrups etc. I have strayed away from my original goal of this blog.

I am not here to judge your life, but offer a helping hand if I can. I would like to break this up into a few posts on things like sugar and it’s affects, sodium, fast food, etc. that way I can help to educate people on just what they’re putting in their bodies and how cutting them out, or altering them can help.

I am no health nut, I may have a fast metabolism, I may not. I love ice cream and chocolate and candy just as much as the next person and I eat something everyday that satisfies my cravings. But everything in moderation is the key! I believe we are grown people; we’re not 5, where you had to eat your salad before you had your pizza, or you had to eat your veggies before you had dessert. I know what I’m about to say is going to have some people outraged, but why not sometimes, and the key word being sometimes, skip the 800 calorie dinner and go straight for the 800 calorie dessert. Or, instead of fooling yourself with a salad when you KNOW you’re going to have a piece of pizza, just have the pizza minus the salad topped with the 200 calorie ranch dressing and 150 calorie bacon bits! You are not going to drop dead of diabetes (hopefully) on the spot. FYI: I’m not saying replace dinner with dessert everynight, so don’t go shouting “kristi says eat dessert only!” use your heads people.

I also believe that you are not going to starve to death if you need to skip the donut and wait an hour until your lunch. If that was the case, people fasting all over the world (Whether it be for religion or forced, ie. holocust) would have dropped dead the first day. I understand some people have bigger issues like hypoglycemia– my mom suffers from it. But if you have it, you know and should prepare. bring a pre-proportioned baggy of almonds for such a case.
I say ‘pre-portioned’ because I know even I will eat the whole entire bag if it’s just there at my desk, so I plan.
Just this morning I saw a girl go through an entire bag of chex-mix before the donuts arrived. This was also after her breakfast. She does this every day. Not only is that probably over 2000 calories/bag, it’s +1500g of sodium: over 1/2 the recommended daily intake(2000). Later when asked “aren’t you on meds?”, she replied “just heart pills.” My heart wept for this poor girl who is killing herself with sodium alone. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in the US right now and can you guess what may be a major factor in heart health? Sodium.

I plan everything I eat and try and wait until I’m hungry to eat the next thing on my list. I don’t eat just because it’s noon and I have to. People back in the way-back times (technical term) ate strictly for energy. I sit at a desk all day– what do I need energy for? Nothing, but I still get hungry and that’s a welcome discomfort: If you’re hungry, you’re doing something right, you’re not overeating! You’re eating for necessity. You want a donut? Fine, have one, but slip that granola bar out of your lunch and save it for tomorrow!

I know I have probably touched some hot spots here, but I feel like today in America, people are so pre-occupied, they don’t have time to cook or eat healthy, but healthy choices are there and I don’t know many people who don’t have a TV near their kitchen. If you’re ‘too busy’ chasing after kids to do anything and you complain of not being able to sit down—you should be proud! Being active—even if it’s just cleaning your house—burns calories! So next time your shows are on and you want nothing but to sit on the couch and veg, try doing some lunges in front of Biggest Loser, or Jersey Shore, or prep dinner during commercials!  You want a piece of cake and know you’ll probably have 2? Make them tiny pieces that will add up to 1 normal size. or even better: add up to 1/2 a normal size; you’ll feel more satisfied!

Like I said, everything in moderation and that’s the key to success in happiness—and that goes for everything—not just food!

Fun fact: microwavable meals were invented by bacteriologist– NOT chefs or cooks, but by people who could probably figure out the best way for something thats made mostly from chemicals to taste like real food. ie. ‘generic’ low fat yogurt– read the ingredients; there’s one in particular that has 0 milk in it, just milk protein concentrate! But yet, it has calcium, probably injected.