Team S.J.G.R. Belated Thursday Huddle: Think about it.

Zachary checks for errors

"Tried, you cried, you shouted, you pouted
But I told ya - you should thought about it

Think about it."

~ Special Ed

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The huddle for this week is very simple:

Think about the things you eat. Or better yet. Think before you eat it. 

This photo above is of Zachary who was demonstrating something his Grandpa taught him when it comes to eating chicken. He calls it "checking for errors." Ha. Well. This chicken wing that Zack was eating was at a North Carolina barbecue spot. And as far as wings (which are tremendously fattening) go, this particular place was deliciously worth every single calorie and fat gram.

Now.

Sometimes--or rather many times--food gets placed in front of us that isn't good enough for the damage it will do. Like, pizza for example. Really, really good pizza? It's actually kind of rare. Decent pizza? Quite common. My take on pizza (unless I'm just famished or being unkind to myself) is that it has to be superior pizza for me to eat it. Or at least eat it without a trace of guilt.

So I guess my point is. . . . do away with the mindless chomping. Make sure that you consider, if only for a few seconds, every single morsel that goes into your mouth. For example, I just ate half of a bagel with some crunchy peanut butter on top. I know that a bagel is high in calories and that the peanut butter is high in fat. I also know that both are great fuel before a run which, in a few moments, I will be doing. I thought about that before doing it. Oh, and did I want a whole bagel? You bet I did.

Would it have been the end of the world to eat a whole bagel? Naaah. But the bagels I have are just aiight and not worth it. Plus I might go out to dinner with friends tonight so would much rather save my calories and fat grams for something legitimately delicious. You get my drift?

I don't believe in oppressive diets. I don't. I think that you should treat yourself to really delicious things sometimes. But I also know for sure that most of the things that add junk to our trunks are "pretty yummy" or "good" but not seriously, legitimately delicious. And I'm just saying--why not push those things away instead? How about you allow yourself really rich and delicious things in moderation and then focus on nourishment the rest of the time?

In other words: Every now and then, allow yourself the chance to LIVE to EAT. But all the rest of the time? Instead just EAT to LIVE. You feel me?

Even if that's hard for you, though, just don't let yourself eat without thinking. Say to yourself, "What's this I'm eating? Am I even hungry? Is this super fattening? And if so, is it worth it?" Then as you get through your meal ask yourself, "Am I satisfied? Can I just stop eating right here and be fine?"

I will throw out a couple of disclaimers, though:

Let's say you are at a restaurant that has a legendary meal. Let yourself enjoy it, man. Don't be such a wet blanket to yourself that you miss out on the experience--because we all know that food can be an experience. One of my biggest regrets was when our good friends Shannon and Michelle, who then lived in New York City, took Harry and me to the incomparable Peter Luger Steakhouse during a visit. Out comes this marbly, piping hot, bone-in t-bone steak for four people. And me? I was on a health kick and didn't eat it. I had one bite and that's it. And that? That was just plain stupid if you ask me. Who goes to PETER LUGER STEAKHOUSE and doesn't have damn steak? Ugggh.

And no, I wasn't a pescatarian or vegetarian or vegan or anything. And I get it if you're one of those things, but I wasn't.  So, as the BHE says, "I tripped" when I didn't allow myself that experience.

But this? This piece of Key Lime Pie that I had while visiting the FLORIDA KEYS last December? Chile, please. I tore it up and licked the plate. Felt zero guilt and knew I wouldn't. Because who in the hell goes to the Florida Keys, eats at a restaurant serving Key Lime Pie and doesn't allow themselves the chance to enjoy it? I mean, besides somebody who doesn't like Key Lime pie? And what carnivore goes to a North Carolina Barbecue dive and doesn't eat the barbecue?

A wet ass blanket, that's who. So don't be that. Don't get so crazy with this that it makes you no fun to ever eat around. But also don't let the pendulum swing too far the other way. See, I guess it all goes back to the list of NOs. You just HAVE to have some things that you make a NO under nearly all circumstances. Do it in a subtle way, too. Once you have a NO list, it's easy to keep it moving.

Oh yeah. And before I forget--here's a sidebar comment: You CAN do things with your friends and celebrate their birthdays, etc. over things other than FOOD. Stop agreeing to only "meet for drinks" or "take so-and-so to dinner for her birthday." I mean, you can, but you don't HAVE to. Suggest a hike like JoLai and some friends did for someone's birthday. Meet up at Stone Mountain for a run or even a walk. Challenge your friends to come up with non-food socializing to counter every food-related one.

Just a thought.

socializing over a MEAL with my friend JJM

Someone commented on this blog that their brother said, "I'm allergic to that. If I eat it I break out in fat all over." Bwwaaah ha ha ha. I think about that and chuckle sometimes. Especially when reheating a rubbery piece of day old pizza from Papa John's. I say, "Girl, you are SO allergic to this. Do you wish to break out in fat?" Ha.

Lastly this:

Counter your food allowances with food subtractions. Not extra laps. I mean that. We LOSE WEIGHT IN THE KITCHEN. We GET FIT IN THE GYM. Stop drinking mojitos and swearing that you'll run two extra miles on the treadmill. Stop eating chips and guac and saying you'll hit an extra cross fit class. Cut. It. Out. Push the plate back. Kind of like that whole versus half of a bagel. Pay now or pay later--plate and fork wise.

Oh, but if it's worth it? I mean, legit and deliciously worth it? Eat it, man. And then go back like Zack and check your work for errors. I'm just sayin'.

That's all I got.

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Happy Belated Huddle.

Now playing on my mental iPod. . . . .