Think Small

contributed by Rosemary Worthington

Our family tends to do things in a big way! Early on, when I would hike, I would be the first one up the mountain. My husband and I would go out in the ocean and find the biggest waves to jump. Most of our children inherited this tendency. When they sang, it would be with all their hearts. My son would play basketball with a vengeance. Just the other day a younger guy on the court called him a “beast” at the game. My daughters have had adventures because of their zeal for an exciting life.

Unfortunately, we also used to eat in a big way. I would cook a huge pan of food to feed my large family. Giving generous helpings to my children comforted me because I knew they were getting all those vitamins and minerals that were so healthy for them. Sure there would be leftovers with all that I made, so why not have seconds? After all it was healthy food!

Now I realize that sometimes less really is more. A moderate helping can still provide all the essential nutrients just as well as a heaping plate. Now I know it is okay if we don’t “clean our plates” at every meal. I now realize if I cook less, it is much easier to eat less. And when we eat less, we are less hungry at the next meal.

Working at or worrying about weight has been a big part of my life. After many years of diets or feeling resigned that maybe it is just too hard for me to lose, I have had an “epiphany”! I believe it will work for the rest of my life if I continue to follow it. The “secret”? Eat small meals! Sure, I may get hungry again in a couple of hours. Then I will have a calorie controlled snack. By keeping track of my calories and eating small meals and snacks often throughout the day, I find I am happy and eat when I am hungry. And I am losing weight! Best of all, I feel I could continue this way for the rest of my life and be happy!

I read once that a woman who was trying to lose weight had a sign on her computer that read, “Think small.” When her boss found it, he replaced it with another sign , “Not in this company!” But, she was right! It is okay in life, for some things, to “think small”!