Family Meeting

We had a family meeting one night last week to tell the kids about our plan to get healthy as a family. Family meetings are a regular thing in our house when we want to share news, celebrate success, go over house rules or discuss a violation in the house rules. Most recently, the family meetings have focused on the latter. So, when we called for a family meeting, they immediately responded, “what did we do now”?

When we told them we were going to do the Arbonne 30 days to healthy living program we were met with blank stares and crickets. I emphasized that “We” included the two of them and that there were certain things we were going to eliminate from our diet for 30 days. For instance - grilled cheese.

“How many days can you go without eating before you die?”, Micah asked with dramatic flair. You see, Micah’s three main food groups are grilled cheese, chips, and cheese crackers. “Can I have pretzels?”, he asked. I told him I would ask. (note to self: find gluten, dairy, and soy free pretzels) (additional note to self: tell Micah - at the right moment - that he will not be allowed to eat ONLY pretzels for 30 days)

Noah is a picky eater too, but not to the same extent as Micah. Noah listened quietly (he took his ADHD medication that day) to the pitch and said, “I’ll do it. But I’m not eating tomatoes, onions, or fish.” I knew he did not like tomatoes and onions but inquired as to why no fish. I then listened to a 15 minute monologue about the environment and all of the trash and pollutants in the water and how the fish eat the trash and pollutants and how it takes so many years for plastic to break down and how when the fish are caught and then we eat the fish with all of the pollutants and then we have all of the trash and pollutants in our bodies and how he just really does not like fish. (note to self: do fish research)

Both of the boys were consoled by the idea of chocolate and vanilla protein shakes. But, when Noah heard that cow’s milk was off the table, he rushed over to the fridge and poured himself a HUGE glass of milk. We went through three gallons of milk over the next few days. I had to remind him that we were not cutting out milk for another week or else he would have blown the weekly grocery budget in the dairy aisle!

I think it was smart to prepare for this change a week or so in advance because it has given them a chance to ask questions and voice their fears and doubts. They are even starting to add humor, which is usually a sign of acceptance in our family. (see below)

Game Changer

Hi. My name is Meaghan. I am an addict.

Those four words are so difficult to admit. I may not be addicted to drugs or alcohol or gambling or pornography, but I am an addict nonetheless. My addiction is food.

I never equated my love/hate relationship with food with addiction until a few years ago. I climbed my high horse and ranted to my husband about someone we knew who was spending $400 or more a month on alcohol. I could not comprehend it and felt dignified in my judgement. Later that night, as I was balancing the checkbook, hypocrisy punched me right between the eyes. The secrets of my own addiction were being held captive between the lines of that check registry. “Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Burger King, Chickfila, Papa John’s...”; the ledger screamed at me in bold black ink. A taunting voice inside whispered, “Go ahead, add it up.” I felt shame rise up inside me as I keyed the numbers into the calculator. 30 days - $440.00.

Like many addicts, I have tried (and failed) to beat my addiction. I have done it all - will power, Atkins, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, protein shakes, low fat, high fat, low carb, grapefruit, diet pills...you know the drill. I would do well for awhile, but would inevitably find myself sitting on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Pfish Food ice cream while I snarled at the The Biggest Loser contestants eating their lean chicken and kale salads. In addition to all of the diets (ahem, lifestyle programs), I threw in some exercise for good measure - a couch potato to 5K training program here and a Zumba-thon there. I would even post my efforts on facebook to convince myself I was a changed woman. But the drum cadence of addiction continued to beat down my self-worth and belief that I could beat this thing for good.

I have been approaching the problem the same way for decades, yet always expecting different results. I can imagine the feeling of walking into a weight watchers and signing up for the 100th time (post relapse) is similar to talking a seat at an AA or NA meeting for the 100th time (post relapse). This time is going to be different. My husband would always tease me because I would often say (post relapse) - THAT’S IT!!!!

I am so sick and tired of feeling like crap all of the time. This addiction is going to kill me if I do not break off my current relationship with food. I need to love food but not love, love it! These were the thoughts in my head and heart. Little did I know that a girls weekend with my college besties would provide the gift of a new approach to recovery. I would have been so skeptical to just hear about it, but to see such amazing change in one of my dearest friends was a game changer. It wasn’t that she had just lost weight - I could visibly see and experience just how much healthier she is now. “I’ll have what she’s having!”

On February 5th, I will begin the fight for my life, again. But I won’t be alone! My husband and I have decided that we are going to do this as a family, my boys included (those of you who know my boys - I heard that laugh). My parents have decided to join us as well. We will be doing the Arbonne 30 days to healthy living program! As a bonus, a friend of mine suggested I blog about our experience. I have been praying that God would give me something to get me writing again so her suggestion was just another gift!

I hope you will join me and my family on this quest for a healthier life. I can promise you one thing. It will be quite entertaining!