The F Word
It controls all of us. It’s the four letter word used not to describe but the word that can ultimately define us.
Food.
The food we consume plays such a larger role in every aspect of our lives. Our energy level, metabolism, overall health, and our weight. Food for many of us is a crutch. We eat when stressed about for personal things that are going on in our lives when we are bored, and when we celebrate. Food is addictive. Food may be as dangerous as drugs- hell, it might be worse- no, it is worse. Here is the comical part, I’m smart enough not to snort a kilo of coke but not smart enough to stop ingesting pounds of sugar. Where did it all start?
For me, it all began in a brick two-story home in Dunwoody, Georgia. 2 parents, three kids, two dogs, one goose, and you could play outside until dark. I remember the most vivid food battle that took place in my home when I was 6 or 8 years old. Someone had eaten the ice cream that was in the freezer in the middle of the day. My mother and father called my brother, sister, and myself all into the kitchen. We lined up like convicted felons waiting for the firing squad. My father had pulled out the wooden spoon, and it was time get an ass beating. One by one, each of us was asked, ” Did you eat the ice cream?” When you answered, no- you got three spanking with this wooden spoon. I answered no all three times. At some point, my sister told the truth about eating the ice cream and all I remember, ” I was out playing with friends, why am I getting my ass beat and it hurt. ”
My parents used food like a mind control game. In my house- the food in the cabinets was not meant to be eaten, it was intended to be seen and not consumed.”
Fast Forward 30+ Years
So how in the hell are we suppose to battle the F word? How are we suppose to find balance in our lives without becoming insanely obsessed with food both positive/negative? What’s the right answer? Is there a one size fits all? Why am I 46 years old and still trying to figure this crap out? Well, right or wrong here is what I did about it.
I decided that I needed to find whatever is the right answer that works for my lifestyle and something that I can finally accomplish within my routine. I have spent the last 30 days allowing my body to adapt to a new performance training program. During week one, I didn’t pay any attention to what I ate. The theory behind this, adapt to the training. During the second week, I began slowing eliminating foods that I clearly know I should avoid. These were foods loaded with sugar, and yes I have a thing for cookies. During the third week, I started looking at food as fuel. I substituted snacks with apples, cookies with yogurt, and turned my morning coffee into a protein shake with shots of espresso. These small, simple changes have been easy to adapt into a routine and now I am working on developing these habits permanently. It is challenging when the other people in your life aren’t willing to follow these same principals. It often feels like they are mounting a war against me. I know if the roles were reversed, I would take the leap of faith to do whatever provides them the most support. 
Getting Help
At the gym, I joined, Coach Kristen gave me some guidelines to follow and some very specific “how to” eat. The biggest thing I have learned, I need to take this information and adapt it to a way I can be successful. Because in the end- my success is all that matters. Kristen broke down the meals, provided some recipes, but most importantly shed light on some simple things I had been overlooking. My biggest take away- ” get off sugar” ” get off processed foods.”
So- Fuck the F Word… insert soap, scrub mouth*.
“*The only F-word that will remain in my vocabulary is the F word that got your mouth was out with soap when you were a kid.”
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