Betcha Can't Eat Just One

I was watching Bill Maher’s (LOVE BILL MAHER) show recently and Jeff Garlin was on (he’s on “Curb Your Enthusiam”). Garlin is a big guy and it was obvious he had slimmed down a bit. Bill Maher commented on it. Garlin replied that he had started eating right and exercising – and that he wasn’t dieting. He did mention that he found he had to give up sugar – not natural sugar but basically desserts. He said, “I found I can’t eat just one cookie. If I eat one, I end up eating pie and cake and a whole host of other things.” Bill Maher mentioned he had had a similar experience with smoking; when he was trying to quit he tried tapering off but found limiting himself to just 1 or 2 cigarettes a day didn’t help him quit. He realized he couldn’t smoke ONE.

This got me thinking about moderation and my personal struggles with food. I’ve always said that junk food, fast food, soda, etc. is okay in moderation – because fact of the matter is some people eat garbage every day. And you will see your life (and your wallet) improve GREATLY when you don’t eat that crap every day. However, I’m wondering if for some people, like me, if you really want to see some improvement you have to give it up ENTIRELY. Cold turkey.

A few years ago my cousin lost a lot of weight. Now she was never obese or anything, but she was, as the kids say, thick. She got a rare disease and had to totally change her eating habits. She told me she eliminated sugar and fried foods from her diet and the weight fell off. I kept thinking I should try that, but never got around to it.

I have not eaten fast food in a couple months. I have no desire for it anymore – it’s a combination of taste, after effects and not wanting to waste $5 on one meal when that $5 could pay for groceries. And that might have been a struggle for me at one point, but having a baby and being unable to even go get it for a certain amount of time resulted in me just losing an interest in it at all. But I am just STRUGGLING with giving up desserts. Like I could eat ice cream for dinner and be happy. I started doing this while I was pregnant and it stuck with me. I haven't really tried to give it up, but maybe I should.

I predict that will be very, very hard.