Necessary Mutilation

Weight: 192.1 lbs.

After working a long day and then taking numerous phone calls related to guests for our cottage week, Tom and I settled into mindless tv watching late last night. I landed on “Man V. Food” after hearing that the star was in town (Grand Island, NY) recently and filmed an episode at a local eatery that offers 42 oz. steaks, or something. I was hoping to catch that episode, but instead saw some of him eating first a 6 lb. omelet, and then one of him trying to eat a bucket of 50 chicken wings.

I was morbidly fascinated by how much he managed to pack away, and alternately how hungry yet nauseous watching him, made me feel. I can’t imagine that this guy hasn’t harderned every artery and organ already, and it amazes me that anyone can eat as much and as richly as he does, and not just die on the spot. On the other hand, I recall some major pork fests I indulged in without even for the benefit of getting on a wall of fame or winning a tee shirt or anything.  And, without the noteriety and mega salary I am sure that he is making while clogging himself so publically.

If this wasn’t a sobering experience, I don’t know what is. Now when I see such massive indulgence, I think of how a small country(or eight bariatric patients) could be fed for weeks on the likes of what this one person consumed for show. Gak!

So, although I am no temple of nutritious, healthy and moderate eating myself, at least THAT beast has been tamed, and I can no longer eat endless quantities of food with abandon. In fact, Tom and I went out to dinner last night as I had some gift cards for Sean Patrick’s that were about to expire. I ordered chicken with spinach that came with soup and a potato. I did eat the whole cup of mushroom soup, a few bites of potato, and about a third of the chicken. But, then hit a wall, and was so stuffed I thought I would upchuck. I clearly could have stopped even sooner had I listened more carefully to my body. I was pleased to take the leftovers home, and know that in the past I would have consumed every bite plus a few baskets of bread for good measure.

My biggest problem is still related to the nibbling I do between meals or in the evenings. I do quite well typically with the meals themselves, but do tend to go overboard and make poor choices with snacking and restless eating not related to main meals. And its rarely related to true hunger even.

I am glad that I am learning to recognize my areas of weakness and vulnerability better, although admittedly don’t feel ready to make significant changes just yet.

 But, it is a start, and at least I am no longer a contender for the (Wo)Man V. Food host position in the mean time!