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The Beast that’s been my Eating

July 22, 2010 by Minnesota Mom Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Just Me, Minnesota Me 38 Comments

Update: Thank you for the feedback, everyone! I will be returning to this subject after my break.

My apologies to anyone who does not have an unhealthy relationship with food. I do, and because I am looking to amend this bad habit…

I’m going to write about it.

Not the typical light fare with which this blog has been concerned, I know! It is easier for me to be lighthearted; easier to crack jokes about the mayhem of our days and ways than to face the behavior that really needs changing.

(I like cracking jokes, for what it’s worth.)

(And I think that we all need to be lighthearted.)

Still, were I to be 100% completely honest with you, and I know that you expect as much, I would need to tell you that I’ve really been struggling throughout the past month. I have fears—deep-seated fears—and insecurities and weaknesses that, more often than not, get buried beneath a steady stream of eating.

You wouldn’t know it to look at me because I’m not, at present, obese or anything.

I have been, though…well, if not obese, then really heavy.

Felicity and Me
Felicity & Me (2003)

See?

And so I’d like to write about it—about some of my history with this beast that is overeating, and about what I’m doing—what we (my husband, my family, Our Lord and me) are doing.

Does this interest you? Or should I keep the tone of this blog lighthearted?

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Comments

  1. Lynn B says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:29 am

    Margaret! I think one of our favorite things about reading here is how REAL you are, while still being funny. Nothing more real than the beast, it lives here too. Kind of a fact of life that needs balance like everything else. Good food is awesome and too easy to love (too much)when things are tough. Please share if you want to. (((Hugs)))

    PS: I think you look gorgeous and feminine, but I know that doesn't mean you aren't struggling.

    Reply
  2. Katherine says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:40 am

    It is one of my struggles too, so I'm definitely interested in what you have to say.

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:47 am

    I'm betting that you can sneak a bit of humor into a serious topic. But eating/weight issues here, too. So I, too, would be interested in your thoughts.

    Reply
  4. The Sojourner says

    July 22, 2010 at 11:00 am

    Oh, yes. I know that Beast. I'd love to know what other people do with it.

    Also, I think you look lovely in your "fat" picture.

    Reply
  5. Lisa Sweet says

    July 22, 2010 at 11:15 am

    Please, write!

    Reply
  6. Paula says

    July 22, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Go for it ~ I could use your wisdom.

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    I think we've all come to expect nothing but your honesty here Margaret. And we appreciate it. For you to be open enough to share every part of you, perfect or not touches each of us in some way. Go for it girl! We'd love to hear what you've got to say. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:16 pm

    Margaret, open up and talk about!! If this will help you and God willing help another person, write 🙂 we all have those beasts that need taming….
    signed
    Theresa in ALberta
    P.S. You look very lovely in that photo….

    Reply
  9. Sara says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    I'm trying to tame that beast, too. Please write—I know you'll slip some lightheartedness in there somewhere!

    Reply
  10. Jennie C. says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    Sweet Miss Maggie, it's YOUR blog. If you can't write what moves you, what's the point? Besides, we who read you regularly, we love you and we want to know you, even when you are struggling. How else will we know when you need some extra prayers? 🙂

    I love you, Maggie! Flaws and all.

    Reply
  11. Cathy says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    Margaret, You always seem to have perfect timing. Like the others, I would love to hear your insight on this very difficult issue.

    Reply
  12. Suzie says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    Go for it! You have my prayers, too.

    Reply
  13. Colleen says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    Yes, I would love some encouragement, as I live with the same beast. Good luck!

    Reply
  14. nutmeg says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Margaret~
    I love your writing… but most especially I love you. You just write what needs to be said, and we will listen, and learn much.
    Prayers!
    🙂

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    Margaret,
    Have you heard of the Light Weigh? It is from Suzanne Fowler, totally Catholic, and the only thing that has helped me tame that beast. I am not surprised that the answer was found in the Church. 🙂 It has changed my life.
    By the way, you do look lovely in that picture.
    Katie

    Reply
  16. Carrie says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    I think that it would help so many of us if you wrote about it. Not to mention how helpful to you it must be to write your feelings down. I grew up in family that had issues with this and I would love to listen to you. Like other people have said, one of the main reasons why I read this blog is because of the realness of your writing. God Bless you.

    Reply
  17. Therese says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    Thanks you for your honesty, and I would love to read more about it! This is a struggle for me as well, and I thnk many of us can relate…I have been thinking about writing about this myself…maybe you'd allow link-ups if we do?

    Reply
  18. Lorri says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Oh no! Please don't tell me you changed your feed settings. I always try to stick with a blog on partial feed, never end up clicking through to the actual blog and eventual just unsubscribe. Please put your feed back to "full"!!!

    Reply
  19. Sarah Oldham says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    You probably wouldn't know it from looking at me (all of me) or you're just too kind or I just "wear it well" as some say (and is that just a backhanded compliment or what? when is being 30 pounds overweight not a struggle just 'cos you "wear it well"????). I'm going to be 41 in a few months, but for the past four years I've struggled with stuffing my gob and I have a problem . . . I've been consistenly bobbing 30-35 pounds over what is healthy and feels good for me. So, write away – and refresh us with your precious humour along the way!

    Reply
  20. Christine says

    July 22, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    OH YES…do talk.
    What are we all needing to feed. There is that hole…sometimes food fills it.

    Reply
  21. Elizabeth C. says

    July 22, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    Write away. I bet, and see from the comments here, that many can benefit from your words.

    God bless and may the Holy Spirit guide your heart & fingers as they type.

    Reply
  22. Emily says

    July 22, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    I would be in for it. And I agree w/ Lynn: You are Gorgeous and Feminine! I love the way you look!
    But anyway, write on! 🙂

    Reply
  23. RealMom4Life says

    July 22, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    I also love how REAL your blog is. Sometimes lighthearted and sometimes deep. If you'd like to blog it, I'd LOVE to read it. I'm battling the Beast myself and reading other people's ups and downs is inspirational.

    Reply
  24. Lori N from MN says

    July 22, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Dear Margaret,
    Repeating everything that's been said already.
    I struggle desperately with that beast….
    If you want to write it, know that so very many will be able to relate to everything you say….. and some of us will probably benefit from your 'fresh' perspective.
    Btw, I think the picture of 'heavy' you is stunningly beautiful.

    Reply
  25. regan says

    July 22, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    i would love to read more about this topic margaret. i think as americans living in the land o'plenty. food. fast. easy. junk food is at our busy-overscheduled fingertips. and i think us moms. especially with lots of kids struggle with overeating. under-nourishing. for various reasons. i know i do. and while i am not "obese" or plus-sized. i struggle with food all. the. time. because i love to eat. because i love to cook. because it is a spiritual battle. there are a myriad of reasons. and if you are able to shed some light on the subject. then by all means. please do!
    blessings to you!

    Reply
  26. Marylisa says

    July 22, 2010 at 5:22 pm

    I vacillate between emotional spending and emotional eating. Last week I was deeply into emotional eating because I did not have time for emotional spending. Somehow I think that because I can identify it, that makes it okay. I'm not so sure I'm right about this.

    Reply
  27. Kathy says

    July 22, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    You know I struggle with losing weight, but I really don't want to hear about it from others. From my experience, these become pity parties. Blogsites are a way for me to relax or learn something interesting, not hear more of what I'm already hearing in my head.

    There are already so many books and blogs out there about weight loss. Why change the uniqueness of your blog?

    Reply
  28. Theresa says

    July 22, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    I am fighting that same beast and have been for years.
    We all have our issues (some of us more than others, obviously) and I for one would love to read about how you are dealing with with yours. I always learn from you, Mags, even in your struggles and failures. (Maybe even especially then.)

    Reply
  29. Jamie Jo says

    July 22, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Yes, do talk.

    Reply
  30. Kelly says

    July 22, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Yes, please. I am in the same boat. Very timely for me.

    Thank you for being willing to talk about it.

    Reply
  31. Kasia says

    July 23, 2010 at 1:35 am

    Please share if you want to and think it will be helpful to you. I have been wrestling with it for years, myself, and am trying assiduously (if not terribly successfully) to address it.

    Lighthearted posts are wonderful, and I am always happy to see them, but I say write whatever you want to write!

    Hugs from Michigan…

    Reply
  32. Nancy says

    July 23, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Margaret…that Beast and me…well, we have a history too.
    I definitely would like to hear how you are "taming" it!

    Reply
  33. scmom (Barbara) says

    July 23, 2010 at 2:37 am

    Aw, come on…you look beautiful! Would you like a Madeleine cookie with that cup of coffee?

    I don't need help with food issues. No, ma'am. I have no issues at all!

    Kidding aside (sort of) if you can do a little good for one person (including yourself) then go ahead and let us have it! 😉

    Anyway, you know you could write the phone book and people would read it.

    Reply
  34. commoncents says

    July 23, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    Thanks for posting! I really like your blog!!

    Steve
    common cents
    http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

    Reply
  35. JMB says

    July 24, 2010 at 12:46 am

    I just tamed the cig beast after 20years of on and off smoking – most of it secret (hiding in garage from kids). So pathetic. It just got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore, and I read this book called the "Easy Way to Quit Smoking" (because if it's not easy, well, why do it?). but that with confession really helped tame the beast. I still think it was grace. Good luck. For any type of addiction – remember you are not giving anything thing up, you are gaining a life.

    Reply
  36. Nikkadmus says

    July 24, 2010 at 3:43 am

    I would love to read about it! Please do write about it. Nikki

    Reply
  37. Anonymous says

    July 24, 2010 at 12:19 pm

    I think we all have the food beast that lives inside of us. I fight mine all the time. I love your honesty and I say write on!

    Reply
  38. ~Maria says

    July 24, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    You know it will only make us love you even more! It's one of my worst enemies as well. So write on, sister, write on…
    ~Maria

    Reply

Hi there!

I’m Margaret in Minnesota, and this is my mom's-eye perspective of a kid-heavy life. I love the Lord; I take lots of photos; and I always try to tell it like it is, from sex to depression and everything in between! I hope you enjoy your time here. ♥

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Hi there!

I’m Margaret in Minnesota, and this is my mom's-eye perspective of a kid-heavy life. I love the Lord; I take lots of photos; and I try to always tell it like it is, from sex to depression and everything in between! I hope you enjoy your time here. ♥

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