"Live to eat, eat to live"

Live to eat.. this used to describe my way of life! Every activity I did, food was always present. I would plan my activities around what was going to be on the menu. Think about it, we go to a baseball game and before we even get there we are thinking about the hotdogs and nachos. We go to the movies and popcorn is on our mind! And don't even get me started on going to the fair.. it's all about the food! The food is the main event at all holidays and birthday parties! If a naturally thin person is reading this.. you might not understand this "live to eat" concept, but it is true! When I joined Weight Watchers my view started to change but it went to the other end of the spectrum..  "eat to live" I realized I was extreme on both sides. I went from thinking about what I was going to eat to being worried about what I was or wasn't going to eat. I wasn't really sad that I couldn't or wouldn't eat all my old foods.. but I would worry about what I put in my mouth. I was afraid it would make me gain weight and I didn't want that. I believe it's natural, though, for someone that has struggled with being overweight and have an obsession for food to then have an obsession on the other end of it. I think it's part of the process and one of the "inner" struggles you have to deal with in the process of getting healthy. You have to find a balance in it. The changes that take place inside are much more important than the changes on the outside. The outside changes are just a result of what has happened in your mind and habits. I am happy for the process. I am thankful for the ways it's changed me and the impact it's had on my life. Sometimes the process can be trying and difficult. You want to give up and walk away. But if you stick through it, it will change you forever! I have learned to have balance in my life in the area of my eating.. I no longer see food in one extreme or another. It is nice to be able to spend holidays not focusing on what I'm going to eat , but it's also nice planning for a beautiful night out in Chicago knowing I'm going to fill my belly with some delicious food! I have never felt more in control in this area and I know I've learned that in the process. So what do I say to end this post.. keep going :) The learning doesn't happen the second you hit your goal, the learning happens on your way to your goal. Learn to live in the process and be thankful for it!