Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Non-feminist moment: Amelia edition

Damn it.

It's midnight, and I just caught myself feeling pleased about working out and not eating much today, even though there were several times when I was pretty hungry.

What. The. Fuck.

How is that something to be pleased about?? Grr...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

How is working out something to be displeased about?

Physical fitness is a good thing.

Jenn said...

I do this about every day, or whenever I'm at a party with several girls thinner than I who are comparing eating cake to carnal sin.

Amelia said...

Actually, Anon, if you read the entire thing (and it was really short, so I don't know why you wouldn't have) there was that TINY part in there about denying myself food when I was hungry.

Maybe it's not a big deal to you, but it really bothered me.

Anonymous said...

Well, I mean more that just because you're hungry, doesn't mean you need to eat.

If people ate every time they were hungry, they'd be eating constantly.

No one needs to eat all the time, or eat until they're burstingly stuffed.

That, and I just happen to think physical fitness is good for you.

Amelia said...

Maybe I should have been more explicit, but I was pleased with myself because I did not eat very much at all that day, I worked out, and I denied myself food when I was hungry.

I don't think anyone can say that that is healthy or safe (hence my being very upset over it). Especially since I have type 1 diabetes, and not eating can cause severe low blood sugars which could end up sending me to the hospital. But besides that, it's just not healthy to deny yourself food when you're hungry after a day of eating little and working out.

lindsay said...

I've always heard that you should eat when you're hungry and until you're comfortable, but not more. We're conditioned to think "oh, it's dinner time, I should eat" as opposed to "oh, i'm hungry, i should eat."

Often times we overeat or undereat at meals, which makes our next meal off balance. If we eat small portions throughout the day as opposed to giant meals, it's much more in line with the natural waves of hunger.

lindsay said...

Also, we're told to clean our plates, so often times that conditions us to think we should eat until the food is gone, as opposed to when we're full.

Anonymous said...

Everything in moderation.

Jenn said...

I really enjoy how the "I hate my body and that's bad" thread turned into a "don't encourage women to eat because fatties are bad" thread. I would say I'm surprised, but then I'd be lying.

Radical Reminders said...

Amelia, it happens to the best of us :( you recognized it and that's all you can ask of yourself. Also, totally huge kudos to you for being brave enough to post that, i always write super personal self-stuggle stuff and hit delete last minute because i'm too scared to publish it, it makes it real... anyway, good for you :)

Anonymous said...

I'm in favor of moderation and say this as a curvy/voluptuous female content with my body.

Working out is a good idea for anyone, male or female. Eating sensibly is ideal for all people. Wishing to feel attractive is nothing to be embarrassed about.

The problem here really seems to be the motive and extent to which we push ourselves. If we're depriving ourselves of nutrients in order to maintain or attain a certain body type, I'd say that's unhealthy both physiologically and psychologically. If we're working out so much that we're exhausting ourselves and taking time away from more important matters, that too is no good.

Some people incorporate fasting into their routine for reasons completely unrelated to appearances. I say that if you're doing any of this for yourself, with love in your heart for your own humanity, what's the problem?