Dan and I had the brilliant idea to go on diets just weeks before Christmas. Really, we’re smarter than we sometimes appear – just not this week. ‘Cause this week we’ve been counting calories up a storm.
Here’s a typical conversation in our house:
“I really want a chocolate-covered pecan,” Laura says.
“Well, have one then,” Dan replies. “What harm could one do?”
Five chocolate-covered pecans later, Laura says, “Wow. That was 115 calories down the drain.”
“Really? For that? You’d have been better off eating a salad.”
“Gee. Thanks, honey. Now, you tell me.”
At first, I was proud of us – the way we passed up lemon poppyseed muffins at our favorite coffeehouse, the way we ignored the aroma of pralines on Decatur, the way we splurged today on unsweetened iced tea and six raw oysters each (which have surprisingly few calories, I was happy to discover). But now I just think we’re stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
And I’m hungry, damn it. Hungry, hungry, hungry.
1 day ago
13 comments:
This is why I refuse to diet by denying myself foods I enjoy. My diets are more likely to involve eating less of said enjoyable foods rather than completely ignoring them. Of course, I'm weird in that I also tend to eat smaller meals throughout the day and typically nothing past 4 pm (on days I work both jobs).
Having two jobs has helped me lose weight. That's probably the only good that comes of it too. Well, that and the money.
I do the same as Matthew - I eat smaller amounts of the foods I would normally eat. That way I don't feel deprived but I'm not sucking down all those calories either... :) Lots 'o luck on the diets, guys!
My husband and I tried the same thing back in August. We decided we liked food more than we disliked our slowly growing spare tires.
Yeah, I don't diet for exactly that reason. It makes me cranky. I just end up running more to compensate. Which reminds me... today is a treadmill day.
Sigh.
Are you kidding? I love depriving myself around the holidays!
Here me out.
It's you against the world! Throw that pumpkin pie my way, I don't care. Sugar cookies? Blah. Fudge? Ick. You eat it. I love being a rebel (and watching other people eat unnecessary calories). Let them put on the weight--it'll make me look better without having to lift a dumbbell.
What's that cruel quote: "A second on the lips, a year on the thighs..." gotta love our culture :(. As long as you're dieting more for health than for appearance, I'm a fan of diets (e.g., low-sodium, etc.), but if you're not doing it b/c your cholesterol or bp's high or you're at a weight that bothers the joints/mobility/etc., I definitely think its detrimental to the psyche and vanity is usually a too superficial reason to maintain the dietary diligence (heck, health, unfortunately, is all too frequently insufficient).
Of course, this is a bit of a sensitive subject for me w/ my crazy sister.
Good for you (and Dan)! No denying though, that dieting in New Orleans is probably borderline masochistic! It's a cruel place to diet, but it's gotten much better in recent years. There's healthier places to eat, and better grocery stores than there used to be.
I used to work out much more when I lived there to keep my weight in check. I've never been much of a dieter, but obesity runs in my family, and being in the health care business (in the past), I've seen the ugly side of it... I'd rather add another bike ride or run than give up good food!
Best to also shop on a full stomach, and just never buy the sugary stuff in the first place (don't even go down those ailses!). Oh, and learn to love water... You can do it!!!
One more day to "Cheat Day"! Without them we would go completely mad... Tomorrow I think a shrimp po-boy is in order... or maybe a blue-cheese burger from YoMammas... too much to choose from! Fraq, why isn't today a cheat day?
Hi, everybody! Sorry it's taken me so long to comment today... stupid diet makes me sluggish.
Matt - You're right. Portion control is a great way to keep the pounds off without denying yourself yummy things. Course, it helps that you don't eat past late afternoon. For the record, I could NEVER do that! But I do find that several small meals (as opposed to three big ones) works better in keeping up my energy and revving up my metabolism. P.S. Being a workaholic is a sure-fire way to lose weight, too, I find. I hope you at least LIKE your two jobs!
Martha - Again, smaller amounts are a good way to do it. Now, where did I put those chocolate-covered pecans? Hmm... P.S. Thanks for the lucky vibes - we'll need 'em. :-)
Natalie - It's easy to quit, believe me. We've done it many times, but we've both felt better (more energized and more productive) in the past, when we were in better shape. Hence, why we're giving it a go... again. P.S. But food is nice... and tempting. Especially when your hubby's a good cook. Nerts!
Steph T. - Yep, you're right. Diets make us cranky - at least until we get into them. I don't run, unfortunately, and swimming isn't possible where I am, but walking in the Quarter helps, as does my yoga. When I do it, that is.
Steph D. - Well, phew. At least we're not the only crazy folks 'round here. Maybe that's how we should start looking at it... we're not depriving ourselves of yummy things. We're being rebels against a world of sweets lovers. Hmm, that could work... for a little while at least.
Bane - Oh, right. I forgot momentarily that your sis has an eating disorder. Oh, if only I did! Kidding, of course. I have a healthy appreciation for food... and exercise. It's stress (too much to do) that usually makes me eat naughty things. We are, in fact, dieting more for health than appearance. We love food - but we want to live a long time, too. Low sugar, low sodium, more veggies - that's the goal. Feeling better, not looking better (although, if that happens, I'm not gonna spit on it). High blood pressure runs in my family, and joint issues run in Dan's - so we want to improve our chances of longevity. You're absolutely right, though - silly deprivation can be detrimental from a psychological standpoint, but getting in shape can be a boost, so go figure.
Becky - OMG, no kidding! Not just dieting in New Orleans... dieting in the French Quarter is nutso! But we figure if we can do it here, we can do it anywhere. Yes, I'd rather exercise more - than eat less. But a balance of the two is what I'm going for. Exercise is good for so many other reasons, too. I love water, so I'm good there - and we try to shop on a full stomach, but sometimes we're less than diligent. Sigh.
No--not stupid! Smart! I might start a diet myself...I know it's not the easiest time of year to do it, but I figure why wait until January and be a few pounds heavier after eating all those Christmas cookies etc? Now, if I can just get myself off to the gym....
My husband is in the same boat. He's trying so hard to be good on his diet (he's been dieting since August) but this is really a hard time for it. During the holidays, I just say screw it - I'll make up for it later, but this is the most wonderful food time of the year! ;)
Danny - I know, baby. Just a little bit longer... Let's just not go too crazy tomorrow. Either a shrimp po-boy OR a blue-cheese burger - don't think I can handle both!
Mary Jo - That's the thing. It might seem masochistic, but neither of us want to wait. And just because we're watching what we eat on a daily basis doesn't mean we can't splurge a couple times during the season. I did eat a scone today, after all - but I also exercised. Get thee to the gym, MJ!
Shannon - Tell your hubby "good luck" - it's not easy, but he can do it! And you're right - he should enjoy a little bit of the holiday food fun... so many yummy things to enjoy!
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