So this year I really didn't even think about the food problem. I made this decision to celebrate my special day with people, not food. So I got up and celebrated with a strength training workout that I really enjoyed. I added 10 reps to every set in collusion with my Marine recruit. Then I went to work and was confronted with--eegads!--brownies! Homemade brownies! One of my dear friends made them for me and left them on my desk. A few years ago this would have been a real problem but today I was sincerely delighted! I cut piece after piece and walked them around to all of my friends in the building. I watched with delight as their faces lit up, and then I went back to my desk and worked. Giving really is better than receiving!
I am continually fascinated by the way our culture puts food on a pedestal. Every "important" event must be celebrated with a feast. I am planning a large meeting at work and the company hosting the event explained to me that the food "must be very special." Meaning, the food must not stink or there might be mutiny! Since I don't want to be pelted with iPhone cords, we have worked diligently to make the food an event in and of itself. Wow!
As for my birthday, I feel like I'm making progress with my friends. Today only one person chided me for not chowing down on the brownies. And while I always scratch my head a bit at this, I didn't obsess. I just let it go. I have come to know my body very well over the past few years. And since I don't want to feel like crud, I generally eat foods that don't wreak havoc on my cells. Today I had lunch with my friend Robin at Nourish by Hollyberry. It is this fabulous little eatery on Manchester Road. I had one of the best Greek salads I have ever eaten and a delightful raspberry tea. Even better, I got to visit with one of my dear friends. It was such a great time. I did not eat pizza or french fries and I was happy!
So how nice for you, Margaret. I'm so glad you wrote a blog on how diligent you are with your diet. Whoopee doo! As if I needed another lecture on what a fat slob I am. Sheesh!
Okay, let me clarify...I didn't write this to talk about how great I am. To the contrary. I actually wanted to emphasize that living a healthy lifestyle makes me so happy. I have the freedom to not eat sugary stuff and not feel deprived. In face, I really only shared all of this to encourage those of you who feel like a birthday without a gorge-fest is not possible. Maybe you've fallen off the healthy lifestyle bandwagon and got stuck under the wheel. Maybe the horse even kicked you in the head. Hey! I get it. That's why I'm here to encourage you. Grab that horse by the ankle and yank yourself back up. Shoot, phone a friend if necessary. Just don't stay under the wheels. It's messy down there. Take my word for it. Climb back up. Seriously, the view from the top of the bandwagon is, well, grand!
Living a healthy lifestyle shouldn't be painful. If one makes a routine of eating well and exercising, it's really quite awesome. Even better, tomorrow--the day after my big day--I don't need to worry about buying bigger pants. Truthfully, I didn't eat a lick of sugar today. And you know what? My birthday was so awesome I hardly noticed!
I love this! Celebrations SHOULD be about people! :-) I'm so glad you had a wonderful day.
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