Dear Alice,
I enjoy your plan very much. However, I feel so resentful that I have to even be on a diet. My sisters are all thin, and I watched them Shabbos as they ate whatever they wanted. It’s so unfair that I have to work so hard to lose weight while everyone else has it easy. I know I shouldn’t compare myself to others, but I can’t help but feel frustrated. I end up going off track because a little voice in my mind tells me I shouldn’t have to work this hard, and I deserve to enjoy just like everyone else. Can you help me get some perspective on this?
Signed,
Resentful
Dear Resentful,
I understand your frustration about the seeming unfairness around you. Keep in mind, however, that we really only have tiny glimpses into people’s lives. Here’s a great example. Recently, my close friend was eating a Danish at a bris. I was surprised so I asked her if she watches her weight, or if she eats “whatever she wants.” She responded, “Are you kidding?! I have been dieting for months knowing that when our friend gives birth I will have a Danish at the bris or kiddush!”
In the case of your sisters eating freely, you may not have noticed if they gained a couple of pounds over Shabbos (or rather, Shabbosim), but they likely did – and chose to enjoy the Shabbos and deal with the results later.
Also, even if those around you do have it easy, it might help to shift your focus to how good it feels when you eat in a controlled manner. Rather than feeling deprived, focus on how healthy and controlled you feel as you work toward your set goal. Sure, others (very few) may not need to work hard, but they will also never feel the sense of accomplishment you feel. We grow from our struggles because we prove to ourselves that we can change our habits with time and patience.
At the same time, keep in mind that most people are watching their waistline, or at least trying to. Over 50 percent of America is overweight or obese, which means that more than half of America is struggling with their weight. So you are definitely not alone in your struggle, though at times it may seem so.
Best regards,
Alice
Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 bananas
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon olive or coconut oil
- 1 egg
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or less
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add bananas, honey, vanilla, oil, egg, almond milk, and yogurt (or applesauce) into a blender. Blend on high for 1 minute or until well combined, smooth and creamy.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in chocolate chips.
Divide batter evenly into muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Cool muffins for 5 minutes, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Muffins are best served warm, and even better the next day.
Makes 24 mini muffins. Count 2 muffins as a snack.
Alice Harrosh, is a nutrition counselor and manager at Nutrition by Tanya, with 10 locations plus a brand-new one in Queens. Alice knows that making healthy choices is not always easy, as she has been through the struggle herself. As an optimistic person, Alice’s favorite quote is: “It’s never too late to start eating better. If you have a bad morning, make it a better afternoon.” For more information on Nutrition by Tanya or the TAP (Tanya-approved products) food line, please visit www.nutritionbytanya.com or call 844-Tanya-Diet (844-826-9234). For daily tips and inspiration, you may follow @nutritionbytanya on Instagram.
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