Updated: July 30, 2018
Originally Published: Aug. 24, 2017
It was just another Monday morning, like so many before, when I awakened with a renewed sense of determination. This week would be the week I finally committed to healthier eating and shed the baby weight I had been clinging to for the past two years. I envisioned a week filled with exercise, hydration that would keep me running to the bathroom, and yes—lots of kale. I promised myself I would stick to it this time.
Fast forward to the end of the week. Yes, I had managed to lose a few pounds quickly, and the scale brought a glimmer of excitement each morning. But let me tell you—I was a total grump. My head throbbed incessantly, I was hangry from the dreadful kale, my legs ached from endless squats and running, and every bathroom visit felt like a trust fall. As I stared at my calendar planning the week ahead, I found no joy in the upcoming events; social gatherings loomed as temptations rather than fun.
But I had a little something saved for myself, a pint of protein-packed ice cream that everyone raved about, hidden away in my freezer for when I needed a treat. I’ve walked this path many times, and I know that after a week of hard work, I like to reward myself. This would be my guilt-free indulgence.
Now, picture this: I finally tried that so-called “ice cream.” As I opened my email to write to my congressman, urging him to ban this faux ice cream from ever being labeled as such, I realized that it belonged right in the trash.
I was irritated, hungry, and craving real ice cream. I reflected on the challenging week I’d endured. Despite seeing results, I felt miserable and just wanted something enjoyable. Then, the most ridiculous phrase popped into my head: “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” What a load of nonsense!
This phrase is often thrown around to convince us that any indulgence will undermine our efforts or that enjoying food signifies weakness. Well, I say: Enough of that! I feel empowered. I consumed rabbit food for a week, avoided my favorite foods, and worked out daily. Yet, I felt terrible. If this is what that outdated saying refers to, then I can assure you, even kale tastes worse than skinny feels!
There are countless foods that taste just as good, if not better, than the feeling of being skinny: bread, chocolate, cheese, bagels, milkshakes, pizza, and fries, to name a few. And let’s not forget about tacos, cheesecake, pancakes, gummy worms, bacon, and real ice cream.
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing inherently wrong with being skinny or thin. However, the all-or-nothing mindset surrounding diet and health can make us feel like failures when we indulge or fall short of arbitrary standards. I refuse to live in a world where my pizza must be made from cauliflower. A life devoid of “Treat Yo Self” is not a life I want to lead. Sure, I might fit into my pre-baby jeans again, but at what cost? The price of real ice cream? No, thank you.
I’m done tolerating the idea that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. The next person who spouts such nonsense or repeats the ridiculous phrase “Sweat is just fat crying” will get an earful. No! Sweat is simply the body cooling itself, and those tears are from the burpees that feel like they’re straight from the devil himself.
And the next time I hear “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips,” I’ll explain that the cookie spends a brief moment on my lips before journeying through my digestive system and eventually ending up in the toilet. I’m over these silly phrases.
Instead, how about we say “Many things taste as good as healthy feels”? Because at the end of the day, being skinny isn’t the goal. Not being afraid of the number my doctor reads during my cholesterol check is the goal. Being able to run up and down the stairs without gasping for breath is the goal. Living a life where I make sensible choices without feeling like I’ve ruined my day for eating fries—that’s the ultimate aim.
Health looks different for everyone, and it absolutely comes in various shapes and sizes. We can enjoy our cake and eat it too—in moderation. Let’s embrace healthier choices without guilt. Sure, power through the spinach and steel-cut oats, but allow yourself a cookie or a glass of wine if you desire it.
And whatever you do, do not feel like you’re sabotaging your entire journey when you treat yourself. Embrace the journey as just that—a journey. The destination doesn’t need to be a bitter person at the end of the tunnel who would trade anything for a donut.
Summary:
In this candid reflection, I challenge the phrase “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels,” arguing that many delicious foods are just as satisfying, if not more so, than the feeling of being thin. I advocate for a healthier mindset that embraces balance, allowing for indulgences without guilt. Ultimately, health should be the focus, and it comes in diverse forms for everyone.