onceafatgirl

Peace is better than chocolate

Archive for the tag “friends”

14 Apr 2024
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Sugar could never love me back.

I’m in Connecticut, it’s a travel day, and I am joyful and content and have had a spectacular trip.

Last year I realized I missed my historic girlfriends. The girls who are my people, even though they are all in different parts of the country and we all lead vastly different lives. So I made a point to start reaching out to them. Scheduling calls. Being the one to initiate the conversations. And generally taking responsibility for me having the friendships I want. 

So when one of those women on that list invited me to Connecticut for her 50th birthday, not only did I say yes, but I made a “quick” two day detour to NYC to see two other of those women. 

And it has been glorious!!!

The thing for me about only eating 3 times a day is all of the life in between. At this birthday party, there was so much food. But all I was going to eat was my sugar-free and portion controlled meals. And only at dinner time. And then there was nothing but time. Time to dance. Time to meet new people. Time to connect with old friends.

My NYC trip was also a whirlwind of connections with not just my old friends but their kids who are growing up fast, and grownups who were practically kids the last time I saw them. I got to love and be loved. I got to see how much the people I love love me back.

And the connections I can make when I am entirely focused on the person in front of me, and not the dessert table, are more filling and fulfilling than cupcakes. Even really good cupcakes.

Food used to be my best friend. Now my best friends are my best friends. I feel loved and wanted and cherished by the people whom I love and want and cherish. But I could not have that until I put down sugar. I couldn’t love anyone more than sugar when I was an addict. Even though I knew sugar never could love me back. 

Posted in Inspiration, Life, Personal Growth, Relationships and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,
11 Aug 2018
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Not going to Nashville to eat

I have a friend in town for the weekend. She’s getting ready for us to drive to Nashville for the night. So I am writing a blog post as fast as I can. Go go go go go!

I am having a great time! I’m so happy to see her. But there is a bit of panic nagging me. Because my routine is being thrown off. And I am attached to my routine on many levels. But my food is covered and packed in a cooler and I don’t have to worry about any of that for the next 24 hours.

It’s times like these that I have to remember that I got my eating under control for exactly moments like these. I got my food handled so that when I was with the people I love, I could really *be with them.* I didn’t have to be focused on other things, namely eating.

I thought we might go out to a fancy place for dinner, but then I called about the way they cook their vegetables. Their Brussels sprouts are roasted in rendered bacon fat. Which sounds amazing, and would not be a problem except that it’s bacon with sugar in it, of course. And when I asked about the caramelized onions, he said something that made me stop him. “You cook them in a roux, is what you’re saying.” (A roux is a butter and flour mixture for thickening sauces and gravies.) The answer was yes. Then he said, “but I can make you some plain steamed vegetables if you would like.” Right. Obviously. And no. I would not like.

So I packed a small dinner for myself, and we will stop somewhere for her to grab a bite of whatever variety she likes, and I will not eat with my friend. I can have a diet soda, or an iced tea. I don’t have to eat with her. I’m not going to Nashville to eat. I am going to have a good time with my good friend. Yay!

Posted in Inspiration, Life, Relationships and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

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