What's the point of living longer if you can't eat the yummy stuff?
Posted on Oct 10th 2007 9:02PM by Martha EdwardsFiled Under: Diet & Weight Loss
On a recent post, one reader left the title of this post as a comment. And it's a good question indeed. Just what IS the point of life if you have to spend it eating salads and stuff that tastes like cardboard instead of stuff you actually like -- pizza, donuts, french fries, bacon and so forth?
Here's another question: What's more important to you -- A sinful meal or your family and friends? I'm willing to bet that hardly anyone ever lies on their death bed wishing they'd ate more junk food -- but they will wish they had more time with their loved ones, and they'll wish they'd enjoyed time with their family more. Don't you think? That's not to say that for the sake of your family you should completly change your life and cut out every single enjoyable food, but why not make the effort to practice healthy habits at least most of the time? Aren't they worth it? Isn't your quality of life worth it?Yes, I know that it's important to seize the day and that being healthy doesn't guarantee that you won't die of a brain tumor when you're 40, but don't you owe it to your family to at least try to give them a few extra years with you? And I can tell you from experience that seizing the day is way more fun and enjoyable when you have the energy to enjoy it. Why does 'living in the moment' have to mean all-out junk food binges? Isn't life enjoyable enough on it's own -- without food? Why is food the ultimate reward? What about hugs and kisses and sweet moments and family time and lazy afternoons with your best friend?
We are a society controlled by food. But I'll tell you right now that without a doubt or moment of hesitation, living a healthy life and feeling the energy and satisfaction that comes from that is more rewarding than eating donuts every day. You might not believe me but having the energy to play with your kids all day and waking up feeling refreshed and happy every morning is worth so much more than the sacrifices you might have to make. If you stop being so controlled by your cravings for junk food, I know you will feel better ... in every way.
But, that's just my opinion. What are your thoughts on this weighty subject?
Here's another question: What's more important to you -- A sinful meal or your family and friends? I'm willing to bet that hardly anyone ever lies on their death bed wishing they'd ate more junk food -- but they will wish they had more time with their loved ones, and they'll wish they'd enjoyed time with their family more. Don't you think? That's not to say that for the sake of your family you should completly change your life and cut out every single enjoyable food, but why not make the effort to practice healthy habits at least most of the time? Aren't they worth it? Isn't your quality of life worth it?Yes, I know that it's important to seize the day and that being healthy doesn't guarantee that you won't die of a brain tumor when you're 40, but don't you owe it to your family to at least try to give them a few extra years with you? And I can tell you from experience that seizing the day is way more fun and enjoyable when you have the energy to enjoy it. Why does 'living in the moment' have to mean all-out junk food binges? Isn't life enjoyable enough on it's own -- without food? Why is food the ultimate reward? What about hugs and kisses and sweet moments and family time and lazy afternoons with your best friend?
We are a society controlled by food. But I'll tell you right now that without a doubt or moment of hesitation, living a healthy life and feeling the energy and satisfaction that comes from that is more rewarding than eating donuts every day. You might not believe me but having the energy to play with your kids all day and waking up feeling refreshed and happy every morning is worth so much more than the sacrifices you might have to make. If you stop being so controlled by your cravings for junk food, I know you will feel better ... in every way.
But, that's just my opinion. What are your thoughts on this weighty subject?
