Wow. It's been a while since I posted anything. I think it's been a while since I had anything at all to say. Or I've just been too busy to bother. But today something struck me. And I feel it's time to get this one off my chest, so here we are.
Twice yearly, I come home to the east coast for a visit. The standard visit involves visiting and spending time with friends and family who I don't see everyday. One of these people of course, is my mother. Now, my mother is a fantastic generous person. Sure, she can drive me batshit crazy with the uttering of one simple phrase, but don't we all have that trigger with our parents that just makes you go straight into "rebellious teen" mode?
So here's the thing. A few years ago, I was somewhat overweight. That's not the point. The point is that I saw a problem. I corrected it. I worked out quite a bit, I ate well and I essentially relearned how to eat and how I react to food and temptations regarding food. I found exercise that energizes me and I enjoy. I do that regularly. I have emerged a thin, fit, foodie who regularly indulges in rich, elegant meals and good wine. I maintain this lifestyle and I am happier and more fulfilled for it. My stress levels remain low, as does my blood pressure, my weight and my Body Mass Index.
About the same time, my mother, decided that it was time to get herself a bit thinner as well. However, instead of taking a healthful approach to losing weight, she went on Jenny Craig. I have no problems with the Jenny Craig problem. It works for a lot of people. Hell, it worked for my mother. She lost 70 pounds and 4 years later has maintained her weight.
I arrived home for my visit this time and went straight to the kitchen. Long flight, no significant meal to speak of - you get the idea. There was NOTHING THERE. Wait, I take that back. There was a number of pudding cups and a varied selection of frozen food boxes. All bearing one label. Jenny Craig.
This is my problem. And this is where I run into an issue with every Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, NutriSystem and other similar weight loss program out there - they do not teach you better habits. My mother still has no idea HOW to eat unless it comes out of a prepackaged frozen box and spends 5 minutes in the microwave. I have no idea when the last time a fresh seasonal vegetable passed through my mother's lips. How much REAL nutrition can you get from eating a freeze dried microwaved meal three times a day?
I try to instill better eating habits to her. I explain the reasoning behind the way I eat. I try to tell her that white flour is like glue in your system and most people can't process it, which is why you shouldn't eat it. I worry for her.
She doesn't go out to eat because she can't order within her meal plan. She is missing out on some of the best things in life because she is afraid to go off the "program" and try to eat real food and learn what to eat, what not to eat and when it's okay to break all the rules a little bit.
I actually had to go to the market and buy a chicken when I got here - a whole cooked chicken and a bit of veg to get me through the next 2 days.
It scares me a bit that in a world of so many options that the lifestyle that Jenny Craig and NutriSystem offer isn't one of freedom to enjoy, but rather one of servitude to the microwavable cardboard meal. (My mother has been known to take these meals to dinner parties rather than eat what's served no matter how healthy the options are.) Let's not get me started on the whole exercise thing either. Neither of these programs really push exercise beyond a bare minimum. This also scares me.
If my mother or the many other people on these programs would have been taught by a nutritionist how to eat and to exercise from the beginning, they would all be happier, healthier and free to enjoy life just that much more and really, isn't that what we all want?
I just wonder, on every level possible, how on earth can eating out of cardboard box make anyone happy or healthy?
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