Eating less = Less Enjoyment of Life…really?
I was having a good discussion about calories in vs out the other day and someone made a statement that really struck me. We were discussing the common reaction of shock and disbelief when people realize how low their BMR really is and how few calories they really need on a daily basis to lose weight.
Do you really think the bigger burger will allow you to enjoy life more than the smaller one?
We then started to discuss that this refusal to accept the truth about our calorie needs (and how low they really are) is at the root of why people fall for diet scams that promise you to be able to eat as much food as you want (as long as they’re the right kinds). Of course this style of dieting always fails because you’re never taught what is really responsible for weight loss (a caloric deficit).
At this point I asked what the big deal was about eating less and why it’s so unappealing that people will fight against it even in the face of sound logic and scientific evidence.
And then someone said this statement: “People fear eating less calories because they think it means they’re not going to enjoy life as much”
That’s pretty sad…it’s sad because it’s true.
Essentially calories, and food, and the unchecked ability to eat as much food as we like seems to be one of the only sources of enjoyment or pleasure in a persons life (this is sad).
So the concept of taking even a few calories away on a daily basis (say 500) sounds or feels like you’re literally taking away that persons ability to enjoy life or be happy.
Now think about that for a moment. If the happiness of your life comes down to the volume of calories you can eat in a day, then you’ve got some major work to do in all areas.
Yes food is important, it’s fun, it’s part of celebrations and social events and all of that stuff…but it shouldn’t be the sole source of your happiness. If you’ve got a well adjusted life and you’ve got your relationships, emotions, career, and finances in control, then food shouldn’t/won’t be your primary source of pleasure/escape/enjoyment.
Unfortunately many people don’t have their relationships, finances, career in shape, and one of the easiest ways to relieve the stress and pressure is to mass consume calories. So I guess from this standpoint it would suck to tell a person to eat less of them.
To me the root of most weight problems has nothing to do with nutrition and everything to do with getting the rest of your life in order. Once you start working on the other area’s of your life eating less food becomes much easier.
John
8 Responses to “Eating less = Less Enjoyment of Life…really?”
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August 10th, 2011 at 3:29 am
This is the EXACT same kind complaint I always hear from people.
“I can never eat less because I love food too much.”
I usually tell them, “well, it’s either that or get fat.”
Of course, they don’t REALLY believe that because they think there is some other way to lose fat other than with caloric restriction.
For people who actually agree it’s all about calories (which I think is a very very small minority), if they still argue that it’s too much of a sacrifice, yeah, that’s pretty sad that food is THAT important in their lives. I can also relate to eating to relieve stress, haha.
So I think the root of the problem for MOST people is their disbelief…or hope…that fat loss can be done other than with caloric restriction.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:10 am
Funny story of the day:
Some overweight coworker thought he was hot shit because he weighed over 200 pounds and started making fun of me in front of some girls. So I challenged him to an arm wrestle and handily beat him. He was pretty furious that the lightest guy in the office beat the “biggest” guy in the office and kept asking for a rematch the whole day. Just goes to show that weight means nothing and anyone can get “bigger” by just eating more if you don’t care about getting fat.
August 10th, 2011 at 4:21 am
John: Great article. You are absolutely right. I didn’t realize it before, but as you said in the post and in the Anything Goes Diet people make relationship with their food, escape from reality and stuff like that. It has very little to do with the nutrition. It’s more of a psychological and environmental challenge.
username: It’s always funny how guys associate bigger with more power, influence, women and they try to get bigger on every cost, because they think they will be more manly and gain influence.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:52 am
I think its also just the idea of eating less that scares people … they think *if i can’t eat what I want when I want* they will feel deprived, but the the truth is, if they eat less they can potentially feel better, and ironically enjoy food (and life) more. If you are eating when you are not hungry, then you are eating too much. If you eat when you are hungry, the food really does taste delicious and feels good in your body. However, this is simply something you can’t know unless you experience it. Not sure, how you encourage people to have their own experience so then they can learn their idea: i.e. more food is better is flawed.
October 24th, 2011 at 7:01 am
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March 29th, 2012 at 3:45 am
i enjoy eat large meal.
on not fasting day, i usually drink low calorie coffee at the morning and afternoon. Than at the night i eat my large meal.