Or, more plausible explanations for inexplicable crap
Photo credit: mwboekmann
Once again, I must remind you that all answers presented in this column are not so much answers or even opinion but stuff I thought maybe sounded like it could be the explanation. If you copy this for your homework, I will laugh myself silly at you.
Stephen from The Rat Race Trap asks: Tracy, why do people who tend to gain weight keep eating unhealthy foods and way to much food overall?
That’s a million dollar question, isn’t it? I imagine most people would start off their answer talking about evolution and holding on to fat for lean times and so on and so forth, but I’m not sure that explanation holds water. Think about it, you’re a caveman, life is nasty brutish and short and there are always things to run away from. Are you telling me that you’d spend excessive time looking for food and then eating so much that it impairs your ability to run away from saber tooth tigers not to mention make you unable to power your vehicle? Hardly likely.
All of us, but especially the overweight, think about food too much. Yeah, yeah, I know, I totally capitalize on that for my own fame and fortune. I have kids to feed, leave me alone! So, you realize you’re 5-10 lbs over capacity for your pants and the first thing you think is, dang, I need to go on a diet! And that’s when it begins, you start thinking about what you can eat, what you can’t eat, how much to eat and when to eat it. You buy books and magazines filled with pictures of food to help you decide and you actually read email forwards that start with “OMG, you can totally make a cake out of fat free whipped topping, carbless flour and a diet Pepsi!”.
What this is doing is making thousands or even millions of connections and pathways in your brain that will go crazy the next time you’re alone with a bag of Fritos. And after you eat them, you’ll think about what you should have eaten instead and where you’ll buy it and how to avoid the bad stuff, and again the message your brain gets is FOOD.
So you find yourself wondering why you can’t just leave the candy bars in the vending machine and the more you think about it and what kind of snacks to bring from home instead and reading magazine articles with helpful hints that all seem to involve packets of instant oatmeal, the more connections are formed labeled FOOD.
And what happens when you see food? Electrons start firing like crazy in your brain and you have to get some of that. And what foods are we most likely to see? The ones in bright packaging, the ones shelf stable enough to be in the vending machine, the ones you can eat right away. Junk, mostly.
This is not to say that I think that the overweight are food obessessed and with no self control, but I have noticed that a lot of times when us people go to correct a problem we overcorrect and wind up making things worse.
My totally unproven and non-FDA approved weight loss plan is instead of saying, hey, I need to diet! Is to say hey, what fun thing could I do today? Instead of thinking about what you could or should eat, think about that hobby you’ve wanted to take up. You can’t open a bag of Ruffles while playing the guitar!
Total semi-related self promotion
I have a guest post up today on some guy I talk about way too much’s blog called “A Life Less Boring“. It’s about avoiding a life of crushing boredom by following your passion. I’d love to hear what you think, so go head on over and give it a read.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Good thoughts! I agree on a quite a few points you made!
Loved your guest post.
I never dieted. It just doesn’t make sense to me. It’s restrictive and as you say, makes you obsess about food.
Vered – MomGrind´s last blog post..40+ Activities For Kids That Do Not Involve TV, Computer, Wii, Or Any Other Screen
I can’t speak for everyone, but my answer to your question ‘why do people eat too much’ is: I’m greedy. End of.
That probably goes for Blogger Dad too – we’re peas in a pod dontchaknow. Except I don’t get quite so cross about stuff. And I can’t draw. Other than that we’re both foodaholics and need saving.
Tara@Sticky Fingers´s last blog post..I’m expecting some guests over
This is the premise of a psychologist-written (and research based) book called the No Diet Diet. The ‘diet’ they propose does not involve food, but in changing habit webs, doing new things, exploring interests. So your thoughts sound valid to me
the medical profession has a name for it – Conditioned Overeating and 60% of adults have it and the American Food Industry is busy programming kids to have it at a higher percentage rate…
I just wrote a book review of Dr. Kessler’s book The End of Overeating: America’s obsession with food. very scary stuff…
Loved your guest post and this one was pretty good too…
Thank you for being humorous too…
Patricia´s last blog post..Vows Another Word for Promises
I loved your post on Tim’s blog. I was never impressed at school when I was expected to be motivated by a gold start on my homework. AND we DID get gold stars. Am I dating myself????
I have always been driven by trying to find out what to do that allows me to spend the time I want with my family. Sigh I’ve done a lot of crazy stuff. Maybe I should just stick with what I am passionate about. Can I be passionate about more than one thing?
I eat too much because I like food too much (and like you said, I think about food too much). End of story.
I know the problem, and sometimes I’m good at not dwelling on food and the pants begin to get looser. Other times – well, I’m a comfort eater as well.
Anyhow, now you have me thinking about food, so time for me to not do that and think about work instead.
RC – Rambling Along´s last blog post..Celebrating today
You know, this is something on my mind a lot lately as I am under strict orders from the doc to loose at least 50 pounds, and perhaps even 100 or so, for health reasons including high blood pressure and potential diabetes.
I think you are right- people over think food sometimes, get obsessed with what they can and can’t have. I also think that most people have forgotten how to listen to their bodies. If you listen it will tell you when it’s had enough and you can learn what the rest of your body wants- not just your taste buds. They’ve confused appetite for hunger, fullness for satisfaction and comfort for energy and well being. At least that’s what was happening with me for the past 18 years. I was a healthy weight until around the time I turned 12 or 13, and then the weight gain slowly began. It was probably partially hormonal, but I know for a fact that I had skewed ideas and attitudes about food and exercise. By the time I graduated High School I was a size 22, and I’ve gotten as high as a 26 in recent years.
So, when the doc said loose weight or I’d continue slowly killing myself I sat down and thought about what my usual pitfalls had been, and how to fix them. Here’s what I came up with:
Any time I’ve tried to “diet” it’s involved avoiding certain foods all together and it just made me wildly crave them and binge on them when I couldn’t take it any more. And you’re right- it did make me over think my food. I was obsessed with what I could and couldn’t have. I didn’t really enjoy my food any more and I felt guilty if I ate something I “shouldn’t” which lead to more eating to soothe the guilt. Plus I couldn’t maintain it for more than a few months at a time. At which point I would relapse and gain it all back and then some. More guilt, more food, more weight. Basically I thought of certain foods as “bad” and that was a big mistake.
I’ve never really added a decent amount of physical activity to my routine either. I’ve just been too lazy or tired or whatever. I thought if I “wasted” all my energy doing exercise I would get worn out and run down and not have the energy to do anything else. I thought of exercise as hard, and no fun and too much work.
I also set my goals either unrealistically high, or ridiculously low. So I would either fall short and feel defeated or not get anywhere at all.
The reality is- the only way to loose weight is to take in fewer calories than you burn. This is accomplished by eating less and/or exercising more. I’m doing both. To keep from having to think about food too much in the future I am relearning some things, like how to listen to my body, what portions really look like, and about how many calories that most foods have. I’m also relearning the difference between appetite and hunger and satisfied and full. I read somewhere that you should only ever eat to about 80% of your capacity. Basically, you should feel satisfied but like you could eat more if you wanted to. Once these are ingrained in me I won’t have to think so much about it, eating prudently will become a habit.
Here’s my plan- since the forbidden fruit is always more attractive nothing is forbidden. If I want chocolate I have some. Chips? Chili cheese fries? Hot wings? No problem. I’ve just learned that I can enjoy a small square of chocolate, a couple of chips, a bite or two of fries, or a couple of wings just as much as the large portions I used to eat. I choose to fill up on fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein and keep my treats as simply small little morsels to enjoy. No guilt as I loosely monitor my calories and try to keep them between 1200 and 1400 (for now) and I get as much physical activity in as I can. If I have 90 calories of chocolate (about 2 dove squares) then I just eat 90 fewer calories somewhere else. And I often decide that the chocolate isn’t worth it. If I’m hungry I’m more likely to go for the 90 calories worth of salad or protein with dinner instead of a tiny treat.
The second part of the plan involved finding a physical activity that I LOVED. Something I would keep doing even if it got physically uncomfortable just because it was so much fun, and I remembered hula hooping. So now I hoop a half hour 4 to 5 times a week or more and I walk every where that I go in town since my town is small, I like the outdoors, and I don’t have a car. (Thank goodness for the small town part!) The best part? Not only does it NOT sap my energy- it gives me MORE! Not to mention the effect it has had on my mood. I am remarkably happy as opposed to mildly depressed for the first time in years. I love my life and that’s been a wonderful thing.
Knowledge is power and knowing more about food allows me to make informed decisions. Is it working? You betcha! My weight has gone down by about 25 pounds in 5 weeks and my blood pressure is normal for the first time in my adult life. And I’m doing it the right way and for keeps. I’m not on a “diet” I am changing my attitudes and habits towards food and exercise to create a life long pattern of health. At the moment I do have to think about food quite a bit, but it’s getting less and less all the time as I relearn how to eat. Eventually I will be to the point where I can trust my body enough to not have to think about it at all. I’ll automatically make better decisions, have smaller portions, not eat simply out of appetite (as in, boy that slice of pie looks good instead of man my stomach is rumbling) and stop when I am satisfied instead of so full I am uncomfortable.
I look forward to a longer happier healthier life
Sorry this got a bit long winded, it’s kind of evolved from just a reply to a post for my blog! lol…
CG´s last blog post..Move your body!
Good take on why people over eat. Another tip that goes along with your point of getting a hobby, some people over eat simply because they are bored. Your right try eating a bag of ruffles while playing the guitar or skydiving! lol
I just added you to my blog list and hope it’s OK to quote you and your blog in mine. I am always musing about things like this post. WHY? When you get older, you sometimes look at things differently…like…Eat UP…only dogs like bones!! I am now on a 30 day diet….I’ve now LOST 15 days! WOOHOO!!
supergranny´s last blog post..What do Retired People do all day?…Chinese Eye Test
Tracy, I enjoyed your article on Tim’s blog. Way to go!
Thanks for the link love and mentioning me in your article here. When did I ask you that question? It sounds like me but I don’t remember.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog post..Get High on Life With Enthusiasm
BTW, when you are reaching for that cookie think about whether you want to be crippled by Type II diabetes and unable to play with your grandchildren. Here’s another tip. Just look at the people around you. You don’t have to look up or down on them from a relative sense, you just need to figure out which you would rather be like physically. Your genes have something to do with it but I didn’t see to many obese Ethiopians in the 90’s. That’s just an excuse we use for our weakness.
Stephen – Rat Race Trap´s last blog post..Get High on Life With Enthusiasm
Hi Tracy,
Indeed, it is a million dollar question. If someone could figure out the “magic” answer, they would be rich. Unfortunately our eating habits are often ingrained in us from birth. That, and the popularity of fast food which is mostly loaded with empty calories and preservatives.
We’d probably be better off if we ate a ‘chicken in a can”.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..How To Capitalize On Your Blog Statistics
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments. Eating sensibly isn’t just a matter of willpower, is it?
Hey Tara – I guess BD doesn’t read my blog. Sniff. Heh – and don’t call yourselves greedy. As a graduate of life coaching, I would reframe that as “ambitious”.
because food taste good. sometimes it may be emotion eating…i know i do that. i am going to stop eating when i am full though…what a concept, right?
Natural´s last blog post..Why Wait, Buy Now!
I agree with you. I think along the lines of living a more healthy lifestyle and increasing the number of physical activities I participate in (has to be fun though).
From a more scientific point of view, Your Brain: The Missing Manual, talks about two hormones in the body that either increases our drive to eat or desire to stop eating. Those hormones are Ghrelin and Leptin. Ghrelin increases our appetites and Leptin reduces it. When we skip meals, go on ridiculous diets (of the liquid kind) etc., our body ramps up the Ghrelin and before you know it we’re face first in a pile of whatever is available and tastes the best.
The hormone, Leptin, let’s us know that we are full. The book’s author stated that animals bred without Leptin grew to “eye-popping sizes.” I don’t know how big that is but it sounds Hu-normous!
Further, he states that the brain, does not care one lick if you overeat but is will not tolerate you starving it.
Bakari´s last blog post..How Navy Seals Increased Passing Rates and My Random Army Experience