Have you ever said or thought either of the following?
“I was bad this weekend—I ate way too much chocolate.”
“I’ve been really good—I haven’t touched any bread in three days.”
We’re familiar with asking a waiter to hold the dressing. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could ask him or her to hold the guilt, too? After all, when we refer to foods as “bad” or “good”, in a way, we’re saying that we’re bad or good when we eat those foods. I find myself saying that I was “bad” more often than I should, usually after indulging over the weekend. One of my new goals is to stop labeling foods, and stop labeling myself, in this way.
Part of the TOPS approach to healthy eating is that there are no “good” or “bad” foods—all foods can fit, within reason. Many of our members who have reached their goal weight say that, barring any health condition or food intolerance, they can—and still do—enjoy their favorite treats. They may have to change their approach to these foods and adjust the portions, but they don’t have to give up the foods they love. Just imagine: what would you do if there were no “good” or “bad” foods and all you had to do was eat?
Delve a little deeper into this topic with us in the August/September issue of TOPS News magazine. When we balance our healthy foods with a few indulgences, we can lighten up without feeling deprived.
Lost my comment
Maggie great blog. Your words were wonderful but I especially like the “bad” donut and the “good” apple graphic. I hope you don’t mind if I clip if for use sometime 🙂
I’m able to usually able to discuss food without the “good” and “bad” labels. But I notice I still do it with day. It was a good day or a bad day. Instead it being just a day to look and and decide if my plan needs tweaked in someway.
I posted on facebook earlier — THE NEXT MEAL IS THE BEST TIME TO START OVER.
Randy
I just discovered your blog and have gone over past writings. I am going to make my chapter aware of all the help that is available on the web site and encourage them to use this resource as a “delay” strategy. Thanks for your words of wisdom and I hope to see you at IRD next month!
I’m so glad to hear that you’re finding the website helpful, Barbara! I won’t be attending IRD this year but there will be other representatives from TOPS Headquarters and I hope you have a wonderful time.
Maggie, I love your blog and the topics. I hope it’s ok that I use some of your posts in our blog, http://www.tops0069.blogspot.com
I will always trackback to your posting and link to you. Sometimes I just go blank and can’t think of what to post besides updates of our club meetings. I refer a lot to TOPS magazine but sometimes I just go blank. lol You’re awesome. Thank you
Thank you for the kind words, Judy! I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the blogs and TOPS News!