Some of you are all too familiar with this (unofficial) mental disorder. It’s that one that developed over time. From your parents reminding you to “Clean your plate, because there are starving kids in China!” or your friends saying, “I can’t eat another bite of this dessert! But someone has to finish it! It’s so good!” or you saying “These cookies my friend made are delicious! AND WHO KNOWS WHEN SHE’LL MAKE THEM AGAIN?” or your pockets saying “Hey, you spent money on that stuff that I’m not getting back! You better enjoy ALL of that shit!”
Yup. You have a problem. And it’s that you feel guilty whenever your plate is, well, unfinished.
I had this too. But you know what? It’s something you’ll have to learn to get over if you,
1) Want to lose that weight faster
2) Want to develop a more positive relationship with food
3) Want to avoid another food-baby pregnancy—you know, when your belly is so tight and full you just want to lie down, rub it, and possibly get a C section? Anyways.
I suffered with this syndrome for as long as I can remember. I’d worry that I’d be missing out if I didn’t try a bite (or ten) of everything at the buffet, or that I’d offend someone at the party if I didn’t try some of everything everyone bought. Or if I didn’t finish all of the meal someone made for me, and go for seconds. Or that, well, “I should be thankful, because there ARE starving kids in the world.” Or “This was a $15 plate of pasta. That’s already a waste of money. If I don’t finish it, it’s even worse!”
Don’t worry, the doctor is in.
My self diagnosis for this problem was as follows:
1) Recognize you have a problem,
2) Get a reality check.
And by that I mean:
1) Yes, sadly, there are starving kids in China. And Africa. And probably even America. But a) those last few bites of that cheesecake are not going to magically transport themselves to those kids bellies if YOU eat it, b) nor are they going to magically make some amount of nourishment transport OUT of those kids bellies if you DON’T eat it, and c) Even if it did magically pass from your lips to theirs—it’s cheesecake. What good will that really do them in the long run? Why don’t you eat some grilled chicken next time? (*ahem* Sorry.)
2) If your friend says it’s “SO GOOD!” but they “JUST CAN’T FINISH IT!” then it probably isn’t THAT to-die-for, and you shouldn’t have to finish it either. Especially if you are just as full as your friend is.
3) Trying things is fun, but if you try everything, where’s the MYSTERY? (Okay. Not as convincing. I still want to try everything.) Compromise: Just try a TEENSY BITE.
4) Yes, you may not ever get those cookies your friend made ever again. But once you tried one, you’ve tried them all. Think about it. They aren’t going to get any more delicious.
5) You can be gracious in OTHER WAYS than eating every last bite. Thank your friends for the delicious meal—you ate so much already you can’t take a bite! Thank your baker-pal for the offer of another cookie, but you don’t want another one right away—you’ll save it for later! Or just compliment the one cookie and don’t reach for another.
6) Yes, you spent money on it. But there are way more ways not to waste it than eating it RIGHT NOW when your stomach can’t even fathom fitting another crumb inside of it. You can offer it to someone else, you can take home the rest and have it for lunch tomorrow, or, you CAN LEAVE IT, and think of it this way: By eating it, you are wasting all the hard work you did, exercising and eating well, to get healthier. By eating it, you are denying yourself the rewards you’ve been striving towards. By eating it, you are THAT MUCH closer to a stomach ache that will make it super hard to fall asleep tonight. (Yup, sometimes it’s really hard to sleep when you are uncomfortably full.)
I challenge you to do your own diagnosis, or use mine. A reality check can go a long way. And it’s not real money. So you don’t have to worry about wasting that, either. ;)
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