The Bet

When I tell people I want to eat healthy the most common reaction I get is why. I have never had issues with weight gain as an adolescent or as an adult. I have actually had quite the opposite; I have spent most of my life being slim. As a kid I was teased for being skinny. I would eat and eat trying to make myself gain weight to no avail.  Eventually I embraced my small frame and now I have a healthy body image despite all of the bootylicious divas scattered across mainstream media. Because of my size, a lot of people scoff at my desire to eat a healthier and more balanced diet as if weight is the only issue one should be concerned about. However, last time I checked slender people still have much of the same health concerns as larger sized people. Yes, obesity is connected to heart disease and diabetes just to name a few conditions; but those can also be found in smaller people. For instance, family members of mine have had high blood pressure and diabetes. That is something that I have to be cognizant of.

Another reason why I was interested in eating healthier was the concept that food is medicine. I’ve been interested in veganism for a few months now. I will not be trying a vegan diet simply because I don’t feel like my body can forgo eating meat. I’m not saying that I’m a crazy carnivore and I eat the whole pig from the roota to the toota. I honestly think I need meat even if it has to be a lean meat or maybe it’s the protein my body requires...whatever, I just can’t give up meat. However, I found it intriguing that illnesses can be cured or prevented simply by changing our diet. So when my home girl bet me to eat a healthy diet for the entire month of February I was all in.

I have tried this before and I would go maybe two weeks at a time before falling off of the wagon. My arch nemesis is fast food and/or dining out. I am child of convenience. I crave instant gratification. So when it’s 8 o’ clock at night and the mood’s just right, you might find me at your nearest drive-thru or Chinese restaurant. I do not like working all day, coming home, only to stand on my feet for 30 minutes or more preparing a meal that I will probably be too tired to eat when it’s finished. Also, I love my sleep and most of the time I wake up too late to fix my lunch which means I eat out sometimes at least twice a day. I guess I sound pretty lazy, huh? Don’t judge me. With all of this being said, I will need some assistance with finding simple and quick recipes. Help please!

Another challenge that I have to eating healthy is that I have the palate of a 3-year-old. I have gotten a lot better, but I am still hesitant to try new and weird foods. I will go to a restaurant and order the same thing over and over again. There is nothing worse than deciding to try something new when you’re starving and having it turn out completely disgusting. Which is why I generally stick with the tried and true, however, for the sake of the bet I am willing to try new foods; it may actually be imperative to me winning this bet.

I will be updating my blog with stories from my journey to a healthier lifestyle. And I would definitely love feedback, tips, and recipes. The bet officially starts February 1^st. Let’s get it!!