I am a lifetime member of the Clean Plate Club.
I live for 2nds and 3rds, and not just at Thanksgiving Dinner. Nearly every meal. For real, sunshine.
I guess you could say I love food.
Sunday Fundays. BBQ ribs and S’Mores.
Friends reuniting. “Adult” sodas.
Pool parties. Burgers and dogs.
Weddings. Italian cookie tables!
Birthdays. Hello, icing!
While I love friends gathering around a table, the one thing that I don’t like is how I feel when I overindulge. (Notice, I said “when” not “if”; I’m human–it happens–don’t judge me. 🙂 ) No brand of yoga pant in the world is comfortable enough to comfort my food baby after I eat a second serving of Mama A’s shrimp fettuccine alfredo. #sogood
I credit my eat-it-till-it’s-gone-and-this-is-so-good-I-HAVE-to-have-another-philosophy to my immigrant grandparents. I adopted their beliefs that an abundance of food meant prosperity and wasting food was a sin.
While I don’t waste food, I’ve had to retrain my brain over the decades, replacing childhood beliefs with healthier ways to view food.
Food is good, yes, but I don’t need to have the entire row of Oreos to enjoy their goodness. Or stuff the last serving of pasta in my mouth so I don’t have to store the handful of leftovers. #excuses
Confession: while I’ve adopted newfound beliefs as an adult, I still overeat at times.
The struggle is real, and if this is speaking to you, sunshine, you are not alone in the Clean Plate Club. In fact, we are not alone when it comes to knowing the right thing to do, but not doing it.
Paul was struggling, we’re not sure with what, but he told the early Roman Church, I don’t really understand myself…I know what I am supposed to do, yet I sometimes don’t do it. (Rom 7) And even the popular children’s book series Frog and Toad echoes this same sentiment–“We must stop eating!” as he puts another cookie in his mouth.
But here’s what I need you to know, sunshine:
1. Awareness is key. Only if you are aware, can you make the change necessary to making the next, best choice.
2. You are not alone. Others struggle, too. Don’t look at someone else and think, They have it so easy. They may have a different vice, but I can guarantee they have something that pushes their buttons.
3. Grace is always available. I mess up. I do it every day, and I do it in big ways. But everyday I ask God to transform my heart and mind and give me a desire to make better choices that align with His Word.
I hope this message speaks to you in some way, sunshine. If so, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a quick note. I always love hearing from you.
Much love, |
