Hunger and Living Green with Weight Loss!
Yesterday I read the journal of a dear friend who realized that, for all his efforts to live “green”, he probably is living less green than he and his family were when he was a child. I read intently as he explained the differences between the housing, driving, travel, food and energy consumption from the 60’s and 70’s compared to today and I found myself agreeing that, as a society, our concept of what is necessary and/or conserving is much different for us and our children than what we experienced as children with our parents. As I drifted off to sleep, these thoughts prevailed and my subconscious mind kept thinking about the part I played in that waste and ways that I could address and implement a more conservative lifestyle. To my surprise, I landed on a realization of my own. READ MORE... I couldn’t help but wonder how many people in the world had gone to bed hungry, truly hungry. There are stories of people starving in other countries but other than to think, “I’m sorry and I wish they weren’t,” I’ve done little to truly pay attention. Then I came to the stark realization that I had gorged myself to 330 pounds by not only not being conscious of others, but by not being aware of my own cues for hunger. It provided me with an “epiphany –like” moment that woke me from my sleep.
When was the last time I had felt hunger?
How often did I feel hunger?
Did I even remember what it was like?
Hunger is that gnawing and churning in your stomach, usually accompanied by gurgling or growling, that identifies your body is getting low on fuel. In one swift moment, I realized that there were very few times in my life that I had actually felt true “hunger”. How could that be? It was a question for me to ponder; I needed some answers.
Prior to changing my lifestyle, I didn’t allow myself to become hungry; I was an emotional eater and medicated myself with food. As I walked by the candy on a desk, I would grab some and eat it. Vending machines readily released their wares as I eagerly inserted coins in the same type of frenzy one experiences at a casino. Each commercial on TV would spur me to scavenge the kitchen for something to eat and the drive-in windows at fast food restaurants beckoned me to pull in for a burger, fries or a shake.
This introspective look was broadening my understanding and awareness as I began to realize how much we are encouraged to eat by advertisements and commercials. We’re bombarded with visual and audio cues throughout our day. Is it any wonder we struggle so hard and sometimes succumb to the pressure? Isn’t that what the advertising firms are banking on?
Though I changed my lifestyle a little over two years ago, seldom had I allowed myself to feel hunger. Why?
Hunger is not my enemy; it is quite simply the body’s signal to eat, to obtain energy to function. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to get overly hungry and then overeat or eat foods I shouldn’t, but there has to be some value in listening to our body’s needs.
I’ve been successful in losing 148 pounds with 6 small meals (3 meals, 3 snacks) and I will continue this. I am, however, vowing to be more cognizant of whether I am hungry or not. I want to actually feel and acknowledge hunger, understand and respect it as the wonder it is to preserve life and not fear it as one would a dreaded disease.
I’m also going to buy groceries more sparingly and make every effort to use all the food I purchase in an effort to be more “green” and less wasteful. Perhaps I will change my relationship with food by truly thinking of the entire process it took to get to my table …
-the farmer who planted the seeds, tended to the crop, harvested the crop and the days he spent laboring to produce this bounty,
-the people at the co-op or those involved in transporting the food for processing,
-the distributors and store owners who received, priced and stored the food for my consumption,
- the store clerks and baggers who processed my sale and packaged the items to take home.
- the work performed to earn the money to purchase the food and the caring hands of those who prepared it and will tidy up after it
- and, while everyone does not share my faith, my thought process would not be complete until I thank God, above all, for his bounty and love. It never ceases to amaze me that one tiny tomato seed can produce a plant that bears fruit throughout the season. It not only feeds a family, but affords the abundance to share with others and/or gives provisions for winter.
Overall, it’s been a reflective day and I thank my friend for sparking my appreciation and the new manner in which I view my relationship with food.
Yesterday I read the journal of a dear friend who realized that, for all his efforts to live “green”, he probably is living less green than he and his family were when he was a child. I read intently as he explained the differences between the housing, driving, travel, food and energy consumption from the 60’s and 70’s compared to today and I found myself agreeing that, as a society, our concept of what is necessary and/or conserving is much different for us and our children than what we experienced as children with our parents. 
4 Comments:
I think its a great idea to loss weight and be green at the same time! I also try to do more things like manual labour (which burns calories), eat organically, shower less, and just try to turn off things more in general. My Mom hates it that I try to buy the organic foods in the grocery store because they often cost more than the regular foods and groceries but in the end when you weigh up the benefits such as decreased cancer risks, less environmental damage from pesticides, and the slow turning tide of consumer power (which is enormous and will eventually make it so that the companies with the better products will win out in the end) than it is all worth it in the end.
SO true!! I definitley do not know what it feels like to be "truly" hungry. Probably not since I was a baby. I know I really need to be more aware of my cues that I mistake for hunger, tired, bored, mad!!!
JSpring,
Very true and great food for thought!
It's the perfect combo.. Healthy Eating Lifestyle and giving back and living green.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
J.
Great article! You're such a sensitive soul.
I do feel hunger each day and then I eat. I don't like to ignore my hunger - typically, it won't let me. lol
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