Comments on: The past psycho cookie monster

By: RG

RG — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:45:12 +0000

PS – I found this post/ comments quite helpful in helping me understand WHY my fat siblings don’t take control of their weight. It’s not that they can’t, but it’s just not a priority; there is some food addiction involved, a certain mindless eating. But it’s also not seeing the long-term problems. My brother, whose weight is at his highest, a “low” BMI of 35, is 44yo and was diagnosed with diabetes last year and this year with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which has left him struggling to breathe properly. So, he’s started yet another medication, but to me this is sirens blaring, an emergency. He has two young kids. Yet today I watched as Mom put junk food in front of him when he stopped by for half an hour to help me fix her computer, and he ate it. Maybe it’s the only junk food he’s eaten all week, maybe it is the nice cookie at the doctor’s, but I didn’t see even a glimmer of debating whether there’s something healthier or if he can wait until he gets home for dinner. Half an hour, and I would bet that he inhaled 500 calories as a pre-dinner snack.

By: RG

RG — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:02:50 +0000

I have the reverse response as the majority of commenters, that I do think that weight creep matters, that you’re too young to be this fat, that it’s a health issue. BUT, I’m basing that answer on my family and my genetic history which is really, f-ing bad. I don’t think that being able to swim, bike, walk at 20-something means you’re “in good shape” health-wise; I can do all those things, better than I could 20 years ago, and I know that my body is carrying excess weight on those knees and hips and back. The flip side is, that losing weight is a different story than maintaining (more leeway for junk foods) and that you are NEVER going back to your teenage, mindless eating ways. You’ve had a rough couple of years, but you know what healthy eating looks like and you can latch into it when you’re ready. It’s not about the one gourmet cookie at the doctor’s office, it is about the box of mass produced junk that goes home with you. jmo.

By: Courteney

Courteney — Sun, 15 May 2011 21:35:55 +0000

I’m learning that treats aren’t so bad, even cookies its all about moderation. And its hard when you’ve been working on losing and keeping former weight off and as a former obese person myself I understand how hard it can be to get out of the old mindset, but its never over. All that matters is that we remember what we are working toward and keep moving. Speaking of moving, I start running again tomorrow after being a way from it for weeks, ouch! This is gonna hurt!

By: Meg

Meg — Fri, 13 May 2011 14:58:52 +0000

It’s an interesting question, the one about maintaining weight loss. I guess the real question is, are you maintaining your health? Can you still do the activities (ie, run, ride a bike, swim) that you want to? Then 5 lbs don’t matter. Have the cookie.

I get the same feeling when reading my old journal entries, this kinda wish to go back and talk to my old self and be like, trust me, you’ll get through this, The world is a bigger place than the box you’re putting yourself in.

Guess it’s a good thing, because it means we’ve grown, right?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 12 May 2011 02:53:39 +0000

I have often wondered if someone who’s lost a ton of weight has to become a fitness and health fanatic for the rest of their life to keep it off, or if they can just integrate it into a normal part of the life that is not any more or less important than other things in their life.

I say no. You do not have to become a fanatic. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to me. I want to just live. I think the first few years of maintenance you live in crazy town but I was actively looking to pack up and move out! I find myself driving by currently since I am pregnant…. and as I peek out the window I think- yeah I don’t really want to live there again. It is possible, but it takes a while to move on…

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 10 May 2011 22:54:34 +0000

I actually went back and read that because I’m having some troubles with my eyes and can’t wear my contacts, and I’m remembering everything I hate about wearing glasses. I’m glad to hear that someone with 20/400 vision and astigmatism could get this done, because that’s about where I am.

Sometime I’d love to hear an update — did you have any long-term consequences that you don’t like? Or are you still happy with it?

By: Mama_Dee

Mama_Dee — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:41:29 +0000

@Lauren – I agree with you!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:31:45 +0000

I am glad you are able to accept yourself the way you are. However I don’t see much difference to that PastaQueen and the one today. You still love sweets and rave about them quite often.

Also, I don’t think your post was “psycho”. You were dieting at the time, on a supposed low-carb (low-refined sugar?) diet, so the cookie was something unique. That would be like dropping me in the middle of a desert, then saying I’m psycho about water when I compose a verse about the first drop I’ve had in a week. It’s all relative.

By: kazari

kazari — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:40:16 +0000

tee hee!
I got cookie monster pyjamas for mother’s day, and i’ve been singing this song ever since : )

By: HopefulandFree

HopefulandFree — Mon, 09 May 2011 19:43:41 +0000

I’ve decided that losing more weight would put me at risk for brain dysfunction. BMI stats are a load of socially-constructed, institutionalized oppression, which in many becomes internalized oppression. For life. There are no health benefits that would result from moving from slightly “overweight” into the so-called “healthy” zone, at least none that override my mental health.

I’m still a bit obsessed with fudge, though, as almost anyone who knows me will attest. There are worse obsessions.

Thanks for these reassuring peeks at your own ongoing transformation. Self-acceptance is seldom applauded in our current culture of OMG I MUST GET CONTROL OVER ALL MY ACTIONS/THOUGHTS/FEELINGS AND BECOME THE BEST I CAN BE!!!! Ugh. That kind of attitude nearly wiped the floor with me. No more.

Your approach sounds sane and sustainable. :)