It’s time to think of others

Hope A. Smith
Published: November 21, 2008

Wow, my pants are tight. And they keep getting tighter. As I wrote about in my “resolution” column nearly a year ago, I was going to focus on dropping the weight I’d gained (with a goal of September for my high school reunion).

The results are in — I dropped 17 pounds, then everything went to you-know-where in a handbag. What happened? Lack of effort, lack of willpower, and the love of rich foods — yes, they’re all excuses, as well as my loathing of exercise.

Why do we torture ourselves? Aside from media pressure, there truly is a link between diet and exercise to mental as well as physical health.

About a month ago, I went to my family doctor. I’d been feeling fatigued and generally down in the dumps.

Considering my previous battle with — and win over — lymphoma, the red flags go off in my brain way earlier than the normal person. After apologizing to my doc about said paranoia, he laughed and said he’d do the same thing in my shoes.

My doctor sent me to the lab, where I had three vials of blood drawn. After some discussion, he said my issue could be my thyroid.

After having 20 rounds of radiation in that particular spot nearly 10 years ago, my thyroid may be shot. At last! A label! After a brief discussion, he asked me to wait for a few days for my test results.

In my anxiety to find out the test results, I had what is now a typical day’s eating for me. Generally, I’ll have a bowl of cereal for breakfast (unless I’m channeling Homer Simpson for a doughnut), either a Lean Cuisine for lunch or, if I want to get out of the office, whatever fast food strikes me.

Unfortunately, I’m usually jonesing from a Big Mac attack, and Mickey Dee’s fries are so good, I’ll cave in to temptation.

The snack machine in our lunchroom is always available for a mid-afternoon snack, whether it’s some cheese and crackers or candy bar of some sort.

Depending on whether it’s me fixing dinner or my husband, we have at least one veggie along with our main course.

But if pizza is involved, my willpower goes right out the window.

Willpower is scary. In a craving for chocolate chip cookies Monday evening, I actually went so far as to make a batch. Well, I did cheat — I used a mix — but I went to the trouble to make a batch. And they were good, not homemade good, but good enough. The craving was satisfied.

Yesterday, I was having a trying day at work, so I escaped to the wonders of Five Guys. Oh, those fries.

They kick McDonald’s right off the map. In my Facebook entry, my status was “Hope just got finished chowing down at Five Guys. Emotional eating anyone?”

But I digress — the day had come to find out my test results. “Well, Mrs. Smith, great news — all your blood tests came back clean!” A forced smile crept across my face as I asked my doctor what I should do next, and I knew the answer — diet and exercise. When you eat nothing but carbs and junk all day without exercise, your mental and physical health is bound to be way outta whack!

And holy mackerel, with the holidays coming up?

“I’m sorry, I can only have one teaspoon of the broccoli casserole and just a smidgen of Debbie Mac’s Yum Yum Sweet Potatoes.” I don’t think so, scooter.

There’s one common thread around the holidays — the love of a wonderful feast on Thanksgiving.

In the same vein, please remember to donate as much as you can to local food closets, which are at an all-time low, with shelves going bare.

With the economy the way it is, folks just aren’t giving as they have in the past.

In reviewing my recent eating habits, I’ve stepped back and reconsidered my options and how I can help.

Instead of spending money for fast food, I’ve lately opted to pack a lunch and pick up some extra items at the grocery store, specifically for donation.

Let’s think of others as well as ourselves when it comes to healthy and economic options.

Hope A. Smith is a community columnist and resident of Orange County. Her column appears Fridays. E-mail