Calling myself a
foodie and a fitness freak might be the strangest juxtaposition you’ve heard
this week; yet, I believe it to be true. I think it is very possible to be both.
I have a passion for food, but a deep infatuation with staying fit and healthy.
What also might seem strange to you is that these two loves of mine seemed to
sprout up about the same time.
A little over a
year ago I set my sights on losing a few pounds and trying to slim down for an
upcoming summer cruise, but mostly for my October wedding. *As an aside, if you
are ever interested in losing weight, but just can’t seem to find the
motivation, get married. I have found nothing motivates weight loss like a
wedding – specifically, yours.* Once I was motivated, I first started counting
my calories and logging them in a journal. Yes, this sounds silly, but writing
them down makes you accountable AND helps you visually see everything you have
put in your body. Tracking calories is amazingly eye-opening. You might THINK
you know how many calories you consume in a day, but, honey, you have no clue
until you make yourself wholly accountable FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE. EVERY
SINGLE ONE people! They add up amazingly fast, as I quickly figured out.
I started making healthier, lower calorie swaps and that, along with a twice-a-week spin classes (which are also extremely effective), I was able to lose
weight and slim down. Now, I am no longer losing weight, just attempting to do
the best I can at maintaining my current weight. Unfortunately, I have slacked
on spin classes and have not been back since my wedding. However, I do my best
to get in some exercise whenever I have the energy to do so. But, weight loss
and weight management is achieved in the kitchen, not the gym. Working out all
day will get you nowhere, until you begin to make healthy eating
choices.
However, losing
the weight and having a slimmer physique has come with more criticism than
compliment I have found. The only person who never was critical was my husband
and I deeply appreciate him for that. The comments came from just about everyone
else though. Family, friends and co-workers seemed to dish out the critical
blows more often than I expected. I wouldn’t say that all the comments were
mean, just, what I would consider, impolite and feeling-hurting. I think
the most irking comments were “Are you even eating?” (This was almost always
said after they saw me eat, which I found strange), “Your neck looks really
small and weird” (Oh how nice, thank you) and “You look like you are 11” (Uh
alright, hopefully that will come in handy when I’m 50). I know I look
different, but I don’t believe I look unhealthy and I can assure you I am not
unhealthy. I take care of myself and eat plenty, as my husband can
whole-heartedly attest to. I also often eat his food when he is not looking.
(Shhh…don’t tell him). He can also tell a scary tale of when he almost lost his
hand after he attempted to take a bite of my IHOP omelet. He now knows not to
take anything from my plate unless I am finished or I am no longer gripping a
fork, knife or other sharp object.
This leads me to
my other love: food. I feel strange saying I love food, but it comes with being
a foodie. Now, I think I first need to clarify what I mean by "foodie." Most
people probably hear “foodie” and think it refers to someone who likes to eat
and likes to eat A LOT. This is not MY definition of a foodie. A foodie is not
someone who just enjoys pigging out on anything and everything. A foodie, to me,
is someone who enjoys the experience of eating. It goes beyond the food.
Granted, the taste of the food is part of the process, but it is also the
presentation of the food. For me, I also take into consideration the environment
of where the food is consumed. I have been known to turn down a slightly better
tasting meal for a better, more inviting, comfortable or interesting atmosphere.
Appreciating all of these elements (flavor, visual appeal and atmosphere) is
part of being a true foodie. A foodie values all of these things - equally, I
would argue. The holy trinity is achieved when all of these elements have been
perfected and a glorious, bright light shines down from the food heavens and all
is right with the world.
Currently I am on
a foodie quest of sorts. I am on a mission to try every local eatery in and
around the Tulsa area. I have a running list on my phone of every dining
establishment I must try. I even have them conveniently labeled under either
“Easy-Eating” or “Date Night Dinners” – I am aware of how dorky this is. My
husband is my co-pilot on this journey and has done a fabulous job enduring some
not-so-fabulous meals, but he has also been privy to a large number of delicious
dinners. The problem is I add restaurants to my list faster than I check them
off. Another problem is the majority of the places we visit are wonderful and, a
lot of the time, we want to go back there instead of trying something new. My
current obsession is Café Ole on Brookside. I cannot seem to get past their
wonderful outside patio, perfect margaritas and deliciously-strange cream cheese
queso. They, my friends, have achieved the holy trinity. My husband and I go
there almost every weekend. In fact, we are headed there tonight.
So, if you are curious
how I seem to manage my foodie soul and maintain my health, I will enlighten
you. What has turned me into such a foodie is the fact that the “splurge” of
eating a fabulous meal and getting to enjoy the experience on the weekend
becomes a reward for healthy eating during the week. I stick to healthy eating
Monday through Thursday and do my best to work out when I can. However, the
weekends become a time to lay off the “diet” (I shouldn’t call it a diet; it’s
not. It is my normal eating. People don’t stick to diets, but they do stick to
healthy eating habits) and not worry about calories. I focus on enjoying the
meal, the environment and the company of friends and family. Yay for the
weekend!
