Frien-Emies
IntoFit | August 5th, 2009 | Motivation/Rants, Weight Loss Tips | 2 Comments »
We all have these people in our lives. Maybe we don’t recognize them- but everybody has one. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think these people are mean for the sake of being mean – I think they love you and want what’s best for you – but I also think, at the end of the day, everyone wants to feel good about themselves. Sometimes, for some people, that means pointing out others problems or bringing others down with them.
These are the ‘friends’ that are aware you are trying to watch what you eat but they still bring over fresh cookies. They are the ones you go for lunch with and find a way to convince you to share a desert with them. They can nonchalantly convince you that eating the whole bread basket is the right thing to do!
“You look so good! You’ve worked so hard, you deserve a little bread and butter!”
But here is the secret…. Chances are they are jealous of your success and wish they had the will power that you seem to be wearing in your new skinny jeans. They want to feel o.k. about the choices they are making and they would feel a whole lot better about eating that brownie if they shared it with you!
These are the frien-emies.
Frien-emies can foil all your hard-earned progress. Don’t let them. It’s not that they are consciously trying to foil you, they are just thinking about what’s best for them (and not for you).
Because of what I do for a living, I tend to get this a lot. People watch what I eat. When I don’t have dessert, people comment that “if there’s anyone that could afford to eat a little desert, it’s you!” When I skip the bread, they always notice. Here is how I deal with it- I simply say that whatever they are eating doesn’t agree with my stomach, or it’s not worth it as a treat for me and then I’ll try to say something to keep it light to make sure they know I am not judging them or their food choices.
Don’t let the romantic idea of sharing ‘bad’ foods, convince you that life is more fun eating crap. Life is just as fun with the seafood platter and a glass a wine ! You may think you’re going to have more fun with your friend if you share the brownie, but it’s a myth! I promise you will have the same fun/conversation/enjoyment if you don’t mow the brownie … and at the end of the night you won’t feel like crap, be mad at yourself, or feel guilty.
Friends are there to share their thoughts, but not necessarily their food!
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I hardly bake or cook comfort foods anymore because I don't want to be seen as a "frien-emie." I am conscious of the healthy choices my friends and family make and know that bringing raspberries and snowpeas as party snacks is better than brownies. But I miss it.
I find Christmas especially hard since there's already so much indulgence, I don't want to add. We attach food with celebrations a lot, don't we?
But I'm on the other side too. I keep all the foods that I can't moderate away from me. I also figure if I want a treat like a piece of cake, it's better to go out for an over-priced slice then bake the whole cake at home only to be eaten for breakfast.
I get it, I respect it, but I don't like it.
ps. Thankfully, I have found an outlet for my baking needs. My parents love homemade pie. My mom (bless her) has the strength to have a little piece while my father can eat the rest and you'd never know it!
Thanks so much for sharing Tamara. I too get a lot of pleasure out of baking, but I hardly do it. I find a small outlet in trying to make my favorites healthier – but even that I try not to do too often. If only there was a way to bake a pair of cookies instead of two dozen!