Food Fears
Today I am inspired by Nancy who is doing her thing and today is dealing with the food fears. That is a huge task considering so many of us have dieted or at least been aware of food choices for SO LONG. How does one deal with the food police in their heads? It does start to be too much sometimes and addressing them is critical in not developing issues with food, eating disorders.
Though I danced with bulimia many years ago and got scared when my teeth started to hurt, I never was what you call a bulimic or at least an extreme case. It was more stress induced and occassional. Hell even a therapist said I could not be a part of the group therapy because I was not bad enough…. All righty! lol God, the teenage years! But my bigger issue has been with all my health issues through out my life and then a bigger then bigger issue was the development of an eating disorder that I did not even know was an eating disorder. It is called Orthorexia nervosa. This is the obsession with healthy food thinking that it is the way to good or optimum health. I have tendancies more so towards it, but still. Yikes! The thing is, with all obsessions, there comes stress and preoccupations with certain foods. And if there is one thing the body does not like is the same things over and over….not even healthy food. Enjoyment, stress reduction, reasonable nutrition, moderate exercise, fresh water, clean air and the body can usually find the balance that it desires. But piss around with obsessions and imbalance is sure to occur.
So, I want to eat a little more food because my senses are telling me this is right and suddenly I feel the fear. Well Nancy jolted my thoughts this AM because she is eating a larger amount of calories and I suspect her body is telling her, “feed me! “I (her body) work so hard for you so give me some damn food!!!” The key is listening to the voice of wisdom within and not having those thoughts in our heads forming swirling food issues. So I feel so awesome that, yes I had a good day yesterday until the night came and then I started to feel bad for going over my approximate calorie quota, but luckily I snapped RIGHT our of it, because of a buddy, because of Buddyslim in this instance. I mean it is good to have somewhat of a goal, otherwise no new places are discovered, but gee! Let’s get serious about addressing the fear and NOT feeling guilty for living and enjoying some of the yummies of life.
There is a lot of fear on this site about food. I have these fears or thoughts sometimes. And I am for one thankful that Nancy is addressing it like I have read no where, here or anywhere. Thank you to Nancy for bring up food fears. We deserve to be free of this insanity.
Now I am off for a good breakfast and after my food settles, a nice Saturday morning interval walk. Today will be a great day if I manage to not have shin splints! I may just start slower then I like since this will be my first interval walk of the year. (…turned out to be a gentle walk around the river.)
It always comes back to Intuitive Eating…. live, laugh, eat consciously, move, feel well.
I hope everyone has wonderful thoughts today and if any of the junk pops in for a visit, well, swoosh them right out! This is what I had success with today. And peace of mind is EVERYTHING!
An article on the topic of Orthorexia nervosa:
http://www.beyondveg.com/bratman-s/hfj/hf-junkie-1a.shtml
Sometimes you stumble onto things at just the right time in life. You can feel the changes happening. It is like some force in life is pulling you away from the very thing you always thought was your path. Funny how these things happen. Annoying and funny. What to do, what to do in this life. But I feel a life change. A big change…………. What? I do not know. 
I feel so guilty after eating, such guilt you’d think I’d just killed someone. That never stops me though, it’s bad either way, I’m an extreme in that I canm’t stop eating fatty foods and carbs but I’m like you in that I walk around stressed as can be all day because of it. I think what the hell is wrong with me, why can’t I just NOT EAT IT, it’s so simple yet I eat the bad stuff anyway. Well hopefully that won’t be the case anymore. However I know what it is to feel guilt about what should be such a silly thing, enjoying what you eat. yeah we should be careful and good to our bodies with healthy stuff but to let a few extra calories affect our emotional state isn’t right. So much pressure nowadays to be thin, Marilyn Monroe was like a size 13 (I’ve heard) back in the day it was good to have some meat. ::sigh:: too bad.
I agree, I have food fear too!
Yesterday I ate more than what I wanted too. It is the cooking of parts of Easter dinner that got me…otherwise I ate healthy. Around 1700 calories but my calorie goal was 1500.
So after eating dinner, I did an extra dvd of strength training…which is not good.
I guess I have the mentality that you have to burn it to earn it…if I eat something more than I should have, I have to earn it through exercise.
Instead I should just eat healthy, I know. I try to see food as fuel or energy. Most of the foods I choose I choose because of what is in them..like I like smart start because it has Vitamin E. I don’t know many foods that have alot of vitamin E so that is good. And that is how I pick my foods…most of the time
Yeah, I gotta feeling this is sparking a major deal here. We good so emotional about food–and well, thats not something that is discussed a whole lot. Lots of fears, guilt and insecurities. I am one of those people too. I cant count calories because I get obsessed about going over–and then get upset. Not worth it. So, I’m looking forward to what this brings us!!
I could almost hear that–what, this is a diet site and she’s eating 5000 calories, is she crazy when people read Nancy’s blog lol.
The thing is, Nancy is a healthy lady WHO EATS and is not afraid to talk about it. She is also at or near her goal and so eating a lot might be good for her body. It is not healthy to diet, deny and deplete one’s body for years and years. I think it is neat that she is bringing the topic to the table. Bravo. Now, this will not work for all. Everyone is unique in their requirements and the problem is most people are not listening to THEIR bodies. Why? Fear, the diet books say so? We are all nuts with dieting and changes need to start. Even if it is one woman who is starting a new wave of thought.
I personally believe that once in awhile after months and months of dieting, really feeding a body healthy fruits, vegetables, good quality proteins and fats, WHOLE FOODS, it’s a healthy choice.
The large consumption of calories once in awhile may not be good for some. It may not even feel physically comfortable. But this is Nancy’s journey and I for one am thankful she has shared it. It knocked some sense into my negative thoughts today. NO GUILT!!
Now, sure some choices are healthier and most of the time it should be a goal to chose more whole natural foods. But the negative thoughts never gets one far…. So, eat chocolate *check*, enjoy and eat well to nourish the body! I TOO need to remember there is no magic formulas… But there sure as heck is a lot of negative ones.
All the best ladies…. Let’s work at dealing with some of the issues in our minds, letting the rest go and enjoying all that life has to offer.
Thanks for this wonderful blog Jen. You bring up issues that I didn’t even think of.
This journey is so personal and we are all at different stages. For some it’s their day one and for others it’s their 4 or 5th years. Our needs are different.
What I realize I don’t need to stick to a 1200 cal restriction because that won’t work for me at this stage. From today I learn I can’t eat 5000 calories either because I’m not used to eat so much food.
What I learned though, is that I will from here on out eat until I’m satisfied. If I overdo it one day, then I just exercise a bit more to burn it off.
I’ve been doing this so long that for me, I have to let go of my food fears - that is a great title by the way.
(((((((JEN)))))))))) thank you hon! I appreciate this blog so much. Well written!
*hugs* back
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/orthorexia-nervosa/
A good discusion on this site.
I feel good, but awareness is good considering I scored high on that test. Still, after my walk to the store I enjoyed some yummy Hershey eggs. Balancing pleasure, occassional over indulgence and dealing with the ‘pure’ desires is a challenge to say the least. But I am pretty comfortable with straying, having some fun and most of all, and finding the pleasure with in this skin. *hugs me* Along with a little chocolate I also bought myself a wonderful body scrub… can’t wait to use it.
I am here with you. I am having to readjust my thinking too, and focus on really nourishing my body. Great blog!
ONe thing I love about your blog is how you find inspiration with others and then share that inspiration in a way that futher inspires your readers.
I think anything can go too far. Balance in life. Balance is an art I think. Thanks again.