Comparing Yourself

We might often catch ourselves comparing ourselves to others. It might be someone that appears wealthier, healthier, or wiser. At times, we might be not be content with our lives. We try to improve our self in one way or another. During this weight loss adventure, or more appropriately, a change in lifestyle, I have not fallen into the trap of comparing my weight loss to someone else. I don't wonder why someone is losing more weight than me, or why. I stick with the program and continue forth. This has worked for 6 weeks. I hope and pray to keep focused.

I have found myself, however, comparing myself to the younger me. The younger me ran marathons and competed in triathlons. I remember someone asking how far I ran today, and I replied, "just 4 miles". To me, at that time, 4 miles was nothing. The funny thing is, back then, I considered myself heavy. I look back with envy, disbelieving I was that thin.

Although I have lost 20 pounds, I sometimes am frustrated that I am still 35 pounds heavier than I was 7 years ago (a broken ankle and two surgeries ago). (Man, what happens to the metabolism when you hit 40???) It is disappointing that I have gotten to this point. But, I have.

Rather than sit and think about what I used to do, I have to look at what I need to do to get to the point where I can enjoy myself. I can't look at where I was 7 years ago, I have to look at where I was 6 weeks ago, approaching 300 pounds like a runaway locomotive. I, like Denzel Washington, have stopped the runaway train and am heading slowly in the other direction. I need to change me attitude and look at how I have changed in the last 6 weeks. I don't need to reflect on old pictures of what I was 7, 10, or 15 years ago. Let it go, and move on.

Is Soup a Woman Thing or Diet Thing?

When I change my eating habits to attempt to eat healthier (I'm avoiding the word diet deliberately), I seem to get more offers for soup. Not many men I know enjoy soup, at least, of those that I am aware. It might be a Florida thing. Growing up in Florida, I never wanted anything hot. I am always hot, I don't need anything else to make me hot. I don't drink coffee and I don't slurp soup. During the occasional times that it does get cold, I do like a hot chocolate and may even think about soup. But, soup is not something I regularly crave.

My wife, however, loves soup. She makes her own chicken vegetable soup. When we order Chinese, she always gets soup. She always asks which kind I want. I do not think I have yet to say I wanted the soup. But, she still asks. Women at work ask if I want soup.

I get asked this more often (or perhaps I notice it more) when I am restricting my intake of food (again purposely avoiding the "D" word). I know soup is filling and for the most part is low in calories. Perhaps that is why it is suggested more often. Maybe I would be more satisfied if I ate soup.

Maybe I don't have an affinity for soup because I haven't had a "great" soup. All soups I've had come out of a can. Aside from my wife's chicken soup, which is tasty.

I haven't quite figured it out, but I know I would rather have food than soup. Now chili on the other hand.....