The 'No' in 'No-S'
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:23 am
Sorry for the cheesy (mmm, cheese) subject title.
I just wanted to give some kudos to that word before the 'S' for helping me lose weight. In this social snacking society, it seems to have become the norm to feed people whenever you see them. Okay that's a slight exaggeration, but if you visit someone or go somewhere of interest, it's often the case that you'll be asked if you'd like some biscuits with your drink, or if you'd like some seconds of the dinner you've just been cooked, and won't you have some dessert? I made it specially... (...so I could have an excuse to eat some, too). As it would, of course, be horribly impolite to refuse, we accept the proferred comestibles and absorb some more calories.
One of the hardest habits to break when starting this, I found, was to decline such offers. I was so accustomed to automatically accepting hospitality that my brain no longer played an active part in the process. My spinal column did all of the accepting cups of tea, slices of cake and biscuits I would ever need.
Thus, my first concerted effort went into stopping that well trained response before it could spring forth at every offer of tasty goodness. "No, thankyou," I said, to biscuits. (Well, not to them directly; to those who offered them. I don't talk to biscuits. What do think I am, mad?) "No!" to the many offers of cake. "I'm full, thanks," to that spoon of extra potatoes bearing down on my plate. I have yet to quieten the rapid reflex which responds in the affirmative to every offer of a cup of tea that comes my way. We all have our weaknesses.
So far, I have found that no-one has been mortally offended by my refusal of treats, nor have they cast me from their lives in shock at my lack of awareness of modern etiquette.
This word, then, 'no', can exert power over those who would wilfully enlarge you by malicious feeding. Embrace its power! Use it to defy the onset of weight gain and ill health in this, a world which insists you consume to conform! Just say 'no!'
But do so politely.
Cheesy nibbles, anyone?
I just wanted to give some kudos to that word before the 'S' for helping me lose weight. In this social snacking society, it seems to have become the norm to feed people whenever you see them. Okay that's a slight exaggeration, but if you visit someone or go somewhere of interest, it's often the case that you'll be asked if you'd like some biscuits with your drink, or if you'd like some seconds of the dinner you've just been cooked, and won't you have some dessert? I made it specially... (...so I could have an excuse to eat some, too). As it would, of course, be horribly impolite to refuse, we accept the proferred comestibles and absorb some more calories.
One of the hardest habits to break when starting this, I found, was to decline such offers. I was so accustomed to automatically accepting hospitality that my brain no longer played an active part in the process. My spinal column did all of the accepting cups of tea, slices of cake and biscuits I would ever need.
Thus, my first concerted effort went into stopping that well trained response before it could spring forth at every offer of tasty goodness. "No, thankyou," I said, to biscuits. (Well, not to them directly; to those who offered them. I don't talk to biscuits. What do think I am, mad?) "No!" to the many offers of cake. "I'm full, thanks," to that spoon of extra potatoes bearing down on my plate. I have yet to quieten the rapid reflex which responds in the affirmative to every offer of a cup of tea that comes my way. We all have our weaknesses.
So far, I have found that no-one has been mortally offended by my refusal of treats, nor have they cast me from their lives in shock at my lack of awareness of modern etiquette.
This word, then, 'no', can exert power over those who would wilfully enlarge you by malicious feeding. Embrace its power! Use it to defy the onset of weight gain and ill health in this, a world which insists you consume to conform! Just say 'no!'
But do so politely.
Cheesy nibbles, anyone?
I do it too, I always feel that I have to feed people - just to be polite, even though I don't want to eat anything myself.
Deb