SuperBowl = Super Binge

Posted on January 27, 2015

I've noticed much stress and anxiety in one of my DB games because the final weigh in is the DAY AFTER THE SUPERBOWL. I feel for folks who are worried they'll make poor choices and those who feel they're missing out on a celebration if they choose to eat clean. Denying pleasure seems so unfair on these big days.

I got some perspective on this idea of food celebrations in reading these posts. For us, Superbowl Sunday is just a Sunday. We don't follow football, so I'm not depriving myself of anything but the regular food I'd love to eat and avoid on a daily basis.

Since it's not a big celebrate & eat day for me, I can look at it from the outside and think, "Hmmm. Why does our culture create so many eat=celebrate occasions? Why does it mean I'm not having fun if I'm not pigging out?" Thanksgiving. Christmas. 4th of July. Birthdays and anniversaries. All big food days.

There's no easy solution to this problem, I know. But maybe it starts with thinking of a celebration day that's just a regular day for you. You can use my birthday if you'd like (It's June 25). While I may feel entitled to cake and a big steak dinner, for you, it's probably just a day. A day when you make food choices like any other day. A day when you plan for a sweet treat because you've been craving one. Or not. But there is no "whole hog" attitude because it's just a day. You are in control on that day.

Here's hoping Superbowl Sunday can be just a day for you. That you can laugh with friends, cheer for your team, and not wither inside as you consider the wings and beer you can't have. I hope you choose to make it Just A Day.

Comment Now!

Les

01/27/2015 3:09PM

Eat mindfully, live with intention:)

Kirsten

Les, you have the best sayings!

Carolyn Mabe

01/27/2015 2:38PM

I totally agree and chose healthy alternatives .

Kirsten and Les like this comment.

Jennifer E.

01/27/2015 1:37PM

Here's to just another day!

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Leeann N.

01/27/2015 12:09PM

For me, it has be a be a happy medium. For a big day like a birthday, or anniversary, or a big annual event like Thanksgiving or Christmas, I don't WANT it to be just a day. You know? The special foods that go with it, like birthday cake, or turkey with stuffing and candied yams and the like, those *are* special to me. To not indulge at all (to not have/refuse those special things that I love) backfires for me BIG time. This I have finally learned. To not have it all is to almost guarantee a frustration-induced binge a few days down the road, and even worse, on things that are NOT special at all! So what I have been trying to learn, and hope to KEEP on learning to do, is to have a bit of those things that I love, but a BIT. A serving, or a half of a serving. Enjoy it, really give myself over to the pure pleasure of the indulgence, and then NOT HAVE IT AROUND ME ANY MORE. Yes, I'll have birthday cake, or stuffing, etc. But then it NEEDS TO GO AND STAY GONE!

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Kirsten

I don't think we're disagreeing, Leeann. We both think you need to plan for the event. Whether that means bringing healthy alternatives or planning for a reward meal, you are in control. It's the whole "It's a party, let's eat all the things" mentality I find dangerous.

Leeann N.

I agree!

JeannieBee61

01/27/2015 12:01PM

Well said, Kirsten. I think, for many of us, they are just excuse days to "celebrate" while we are slowly killing ourselves...

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Jocey

01/27/2015 11:51AM

I admit to having the same thoughts - SuperBowl is a non-entity in our house. We used to go to parties at friends but then realized that there was really no reason - because all we would do was eat! (And it was always unhealthy stuff, too!) Have a great "Just A Day" Sunday!

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