Food is my best friend
Dear Donovan,
I have always been a loner because I have very low self-esteem. Food has always been my best friend but as a result of this I am 262 pounds. I really do not like the way I look and as a young adult, I think now is a good time for me to change my lifestyle. I have tried several diets in the past, but those have failed, primarily because I get fed up after a while. I do not have many persons around me to encourage me. My mother who raised me alone is very skinny, and so I don’t feel she understands what I am going through and my life just pretty much surrounds my job.
I want to go to the gym, but I don’t want to be laughed at. I have been thinking of going running in the evenings, but I know that if I do so alone, I will give up again. I really need to find someone who can become my running partner, but I don’t know how to do so. Do you have any suggestions? I see people running all the time, but I am shy to go and introduce myself.
I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I also understand what you are going through and to be honest, many other persons in Jamaica and indeed the world are faced with similar situations. It is totally unwise to allow food to become your best friend. Although food can provide some comfort, we all know that it can be a jealous, abusive, manipulative and destructive friend.
You have said that you have tried several times to end this food relationship by starting diets, but you always seem to go back to your old habit of overeating. Your food addiction is nothing short of an abusive relationship. You are now 262 pounds, you have lost your self-esteem, and you don’t have many other friends. Sorry to say, but if you continue with this unhealthy relationship with food, it could cost you your health and even your job. You will have to break free from this relationship. Although your self-esteem is low, you will have to give yourself some credit.
I suggest you take some time to assess your situation and list your strong areas and accomplishments. You need to control and break your food addiction now so that you can start to lose weight. I suggest you do an audit of your food from last week, to give yourself an idea of how you have been eating. Next you need to start cutting back say a quarter of what you were eating before. This will help to reduce your calories and promote weight loss. Focus more on fruits and vegetables instead of pastries, candies etc. Also, you could be drinking water in between meals so that you are not as hungry during mealtime. Also, try not to buy the things you do not intend to eat.
I would like to suggest that you restart your exercise programme. Start on your own at a park and over time I am sure you will meet new people who can become your walking partners. Being a loner can fuel your food addiction, so I suggest you become a part of a church group or even a service organisation. Just going from work to home and having lots of time on your hands can increase food cravings. I also suggest that you have a good heart-to-heart talk with your mom. You might be surprised that she has been waiting on you to have this talk. I am sure she could in some way help you with your weight loss programme
