I had another post ready to go today, but felt compelled to pull it for this instead. (Your loss. Sorry about that cos the other one – lessons I learned from my dad – is actually much better!)
Now I don’t want to appear melodramatic but… I’m worried that carbohydrates are my enemy! (Picture me raising my hand to my brow in manner of swooning maiden!)
I love carbs. I’ve mentioned this on many MANY occasions. In fact I have two entire posts dedicated to my love of potato. But… I. Feel. Like. Crap. After. I’ve. Eaten. Them. On occasions.
I’ve mentioned the bloated feeling I’ve had for a while. But while drinking my IsoWhey meal replacement shakes, this dissipated. The program was also low carbohydrate… so the link wasn’t lost on me. It was nice to be able to hold my stomach in and well, to feel better.
I must note at this point however, that when I do eat carbohydrates (other than for breakfast or when out etc) I don’t skimp on my serving size. No… sadly I eat LARGE amounts of carbs with a small serving of protein. So very possibly, it’s not carbohydrates that I’m at war with, but rather the over-indulgence of carbs (or even anything!) that’s causing me concern.
I’m mulling over this very issue today because I did that. I overindulged. BIG TIME. Yes, I had my first eating-too-much and eating-stuff-I-shouldn’t experience in some time (well, in over a month, at least!)
The day started well. I was awake at some ridiculous hour (again!).
I skipped my morning walk however, as I had plans for later that day. After a fruitful morning: packing up my mother’s car with stuff she is going to store for me; getting rid of a chair I sold on eBay; AND going to faux-Zumba with my fave instructor, I happened to call into the grocery store on the way home.
And… shit, shit, shit. You guessed it.
A bag of caramello koalas (on sale for $3) found their way into my basket along with 2 bags of cheese flavoured GF corn chips (2 for $4 so I was just being frugal. Really!). Oh plus some sour cream (for my dip) and some soda. So… in reality, less of a grocery-shop and more of a junk food-shop (and mini-binge haul!).
Once I was home and knowing full well what I was doing, I consumed half of my stash – feeling quite proud I left the second 200g bag of corn chips unopened, along with 6 of the 12 koalas.
But then I was hit with my usual post carb-binge malaise: I was desperately tired and had to lie down.
Two hours later I was up and finishing my stash. I know, I know… I tried to tell myself that, the corn chips could wait until tomorrow. They weren’t going to disappear. I could eat them whenever I wanted (ie. there was no need for a Last Supper before I suddenly get back on the straight and narrow), but no… I had to have them.
And again, I was struck by the malaise, but at 6pm it was too early for bed. (Better just to wallow and write this blog post!)
Like I said, it’s a too-common side effect I experience. This extreme tiredness after eating carbohydrates. It used to happen on weekends when I’d eat a bowl of popcorn or the like; I’d be overcome with tiredness and need to curl up in a ball and sleep.
I know of the effect of high GI foods and energy levels. I also recall theses about eating carbohydrates for meals (sans protein).
I ponder on the tiredness mostly resulting from an overly-full feeling and a need to not-move; rather than it being carbohydrate-related.
Bingeing aside, I just wish I was able to remember how crappy these types of food make me feel, the next time I’m feeling tempted.
So… that’s it. There’s really no point to this post. Just my need to confess to my actions today – although I’m actually not feeling overly guilty – mostly just blah! I really just wanted to share my blah-ness with the world (as you do!) and document it in the hope the consequences sink in and I’m not again mentally-captured by the lure of instant gratification with minimal thought given to the resulting almost-just-as-instant blahn-ess.
Do you continue to do things you know are bad for you?
October 8, 2012
ummmmm yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 8, 2012
I think we all do it. Alas… some of us are just better at doing it less often – perhaps!
Deb
October 8, 2012
well, yes, I do, until I get really sick of myself and then I don’t for a while. Like the chocolates at work, I just got really sick of falling into that old habit again so I decided no more candy jar, I don’t even like most of the stuff I was stuffing in my gullet, it was just a reaction to stress.
Are you sure there isn’t hidden gluten in some of this stuff that you’ve consumed? Are you doing it out of an emotion / feeling like boredom, anger, tiredness, etc? Because honestly, if you have challenges with this stuff, you may want to not buy it at all. Now I know sometimes it’s nice to have a little treat but if you feel at any point that you *might* not be able to handle it, I would leave it at the supermarket (or put it in the bin).
Hope that comes off the way intended – not judgy but trying to help 🙂
October 8, 2012
Hi Renee
I have to admit, I need to check out the gluten thing. I’m pretty careful but occasional substitute products (without checking labels). For example the sour cream I usually buy is GF, but if it’s not available I just pick up another!
Oh and I completely understand what you’re saying and don’t think you’re being judgy! – I’ve recently tried to NOT have my trigger foods and was doing okay at that so need to get back onto that, but address my carbohydrate addiction in some way I suspect!
Deb
October 9, 2012
For me it’s sugar. I know it’s bad for me, I always feel worse when I eat it and I know that if I stopped eating processed sugars I’d lose those last few pounds but……it’s such a hard habit to break!! 🙁
October 9, 2012
I completely understand Lisa – years of doing something makes the habit a harder one to decrease or break! (Not to mention the fact that processed sugars can be found where you least expect them – sneaky suckers!)
Deb
October 9, 2012
I did exactly the same thing after my long run last Thursday. Two bags of lollies later (one was licorice allsorts which can be sudden death to a runner – the licorice can have very undesirable effects) I realised that maybe shopping after I’ve done a long run is not so wise. I could justify putting all sorts of crap into my trolley.
October 9, 2012
Isn’t it funny how we give ourselves permission BECAUSE we’ve done some exercise. I was fluorescent red after Zumba on Monday and really stuffed… it occurred to me later that I consumed a gazillion times more calories than I burned!
October 9, 2012
Hi Deb, I don’t think it’s carbs that are the problem, it’s the type of crappy carbs you consumed. I think that to stop doing things that are bad for you look at it as making choices. Yes, we’re free to eat whatever we want and in whatever quantities – so what stops me (most of the time) from eating rubbish – thinking ahead about the consequences and so much easier when you know you have a choice in the matter!
October 9, 2012
Yes, I need to think more about the consequences. I think I’ve said it before… I’m like a child – all about instant gratification and ‘to hell’ with whatever comes after that!
Deb
October 9, 2012
I DID.
for years.
UNTIL I GREW TIRED OF DRIVING MY CAR INTO A BRICK WALL…BACKING UP AND DOING IT AGAIN.
xo
October 9, 2012
Yes… hopefully I am finally learning. Admitting to it / writing about it helps me!
Deb