Think back to your high school days, remember the first time you ever crushed hard on someone? For me it was a boy named Ryan. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but he certainly had the body of a greek God and I wanted it! So much so that I let him cheat off of me in Chemistry class in hopes for a date--that date never panned out. You see, I wasn't exactly an A student, and a C+ wasn't worthy enough of that ethereal date with a greek God. This is not only a true story of my sad high school days, but it is a metaphor for my relationship with food--it looks oh so good on the outside but when all is said and done are those calories worth it?
I remember elderly aunts sharing with me that old adage, "A moment on the lips, eternity on the hips!" At age 18, size 6, and living my best life I didn't waste my time with such crockery. Denny's were still super popular and in every town, it was in fact the choice locale for teen meet-ups, and it was also where I spent countless nights hanging with friends, talking about boys, while eating chicken fingers and fries. French Fries are sexy, like that boy in chemistry class that you'd do anything to get a date with, they are irresistible. Gosh I love french fries.
By the time I hit my thirties; however, french fries became a deceptive enemy luring me into dark allies for a moment of pleasure that I would later regret! It's funny how a metabolism works. For a while it's your friend, it's working hard like Jane Fonda in the 80s, and then it gradually grabs hold of you and slows you down until you wake up one morning and FINALLY understand your old Italian aunts warning; now you aren't even sure you can recognize your hips and you have an eternity to deal with it!
I read the self help books, I googled every new fad diet plan out there, I tried a shot of apple cider vinegar daily, and herbal supplements promising results, hot water with lemon and honey every morning, if it was trendy I entertained the idea, and in the end it all failed. Every diet, every pill, every supplement, and slowly the scale went higher and my hopes went lower. In addition to the general struggle with poor body image that so many women and men deal with in our society I also deal with chronic pain due to an inflammatory joint syndrome. A year and a half ago, I shared with my doctor that I had reached a new level of pain, her only solution was meds. While I'm convinced there is a place for and need for certain medications for certain medical needs I was not so convinced this was the answer for my specific body needs.
I felt the medical system had failed me. They are okay at diagnosing (I say "okay" cause anyone suffering with chronic illness understands even a diagnosis is a battle!) but they aren't so 21st Century when it comes to treatment. At 34 I sat on my couch feeling like I had to readjust to life and accept that pain and fatigue was just a part of my journey. After a bout of crying fits I grabbed my computer for one more google search. This time I was determined to find an answer outside of traditional medicine. Here's were you might think I was searching medicine men in the Amazon and ayahuasca to cure all my ills, but what I ended up googling was nutritionists. The first one that popped up was Advent Nutrition--right here in my backyard I found someone to call. That's just what I did, I called to make an appointment--which is highly unlike me! I usually take a long time reading reviews, essays, research--I want to know what I'm getting into before I step foot into it in real life! But I was at such a loss calling was the only thing I had energy do!
This is where my journey with food begins. Sure, french fries are always going to be sexy! But I've learned to have an appropriate relationship with them! I've quelled my teenage driven food hormones and have learned to have a real adult relationship with food. Food will always be sexy to me! Don't get me wrong, a baked potato bar served in martini glasses with bacon and creamy cheese is always going to speak to my heart, but there is a time and a place for everything. My nutritionist often tells me, "Sara, you still have to live your life!" But self control, and healthy driven choices allow me the freedom to every once in a while say yes to the french fry!
I remember elderly aunts sharing with me that old adage, "A moment on the lips, eternity on the hips!" At age 18, size 6, and living my best life I didn't waste my time with such crockery. Denny's were still super popular and in every town, it was in fact the choice locale for teen meet-ups, and it was also where I spent countless nights hanging with friends, talking about boys, while eating chicken fingers and fries. French Fries are sexy, like that boy in chemistry class that you'd do anything to get a date with, they are irresistible. Gosh I love french fries.
By the time I hit my thirties; however, french fries became a deceptive enemy luring me into dark allies for a moment of pleasure that I would later regret! It's funny how a metabolism works. For a while it's your friend, it's working hard like Jane Fonda in the 80s, and then it gradually grabs hold of you and slows you down until you wake up one morning and FINALLY understand your old Italian aunts warning; now you aren't even sure you can recognize your hips and you have an eternity to deal with it!
I read the self help books, I googled every new fad diet plan out there, I tried a shot of apple cider vinegar daily, and herbal supplements promising results, hot water with lemon and honey every morning, if it was trendy I entertained the idea, and in the end it all failed. Every diet, every pill, every supplement, and slowly the scale went higher and my hopes went lower. In addition to the general struggle with poor body image that so many women and men deal with in our society I also deal with chronic pain due to an inflammatory joint syndrome. A year and a half ago, I shared with my doctor that I had reached a new level of pain, her only solution was meds. While I'm convinced there is a place for and need for certain medications for certain medical needs I was not so convinced this was the answer for my specific body needs.
I felt the medical system had failed me. They are okay at diagnosing (I say "okay" cause anyone suffering with chronic illness understands even a diagnosis is a battle!) but they aren't so 21st Century when it comes to treatment. At 34 I sat on my couch feeling like I had to readjust to life and accept that pain and fatigue was just a part of my journey. After a bout of crying fits I grabbed my computer for one more google search. This time I was determined to find an answer outside of traditional medicine. Here's were you might think I was searching medicine men in the Amazon and ayahuasca to cure all my ills, but what I ended up googling was nutritionists. The first one that popped up was Advent Nutrition--right here in my backyard I found someone to call. That's just what I did, I called to make an appointment--which is highly unlike me! I usually take a long time reading reviews, essays, research--I want to know what I'm getting into before I step foot into it in real life! But I was at such a loss calling was the only thing I had energy do!
This is where my journey with food begins. Sure, french fries are always going to be sexy! But I've learned to have an appropriate relationship with them! I've quelled my teenage driven food hormones and have learned to have a real adult relationship with food. Food will always be sexy to me! Don't get me wrong, a baked potato bar served in martini glasses with bacon and creamy cheese is always going to speak to my heart, but there is a time and a place for everything. My nutritionist often tells me, "Sara, you still have to live your life!" But self control, and healthy driven choices allow me the freedom to every once in a while say yes to the french fry!
