Writin' a letter to food today...

At my NUT's request, I am currently writing a letter to my good buddy, FOOD. It's supposed to be a goodbye letter, but really I know it's not a goodbye as it is more of a "We just need some space...it's you, not me" letter. 

I know once I pull all my feelings together, this letter is gonna rock. However, in the meantime, I'm having a hard time getting started. It's not because I don't have plenty to say to food. Volumes, my friends. I think it's just hard to do.

With the solemn promise not to bogart any of your comments and ideas, I ask you: What would you say to food pre-op (or even now)? I'm just interested to know the inner workings of your like-minds. I think it's an interesting project.

So, what say you to food???

I think this is really interesting.... 

I would tell my buddy food that our love/hate relationship has been the most difficult relationship I've ever had.  I would tell it I hate the way it has the ability to control me and at the same time I would apologize to it because I always use it when I'm stressed, sad, blue, mad, happy, etc...  I'd tell it that pre-op we spent way too much time together but now that I'm post-op, I've learned that I don't have to have by buddy food with me for every situation.  I want by buddy food to be my reliable friend, not my clingy, emotionally and energy zapping friend.  I need by buddy food to restore me and engergize me, not drag me down and supress me...

Wow, this is a really great exercise. I think I may just write my own letter... 

Dear Food:  I still love you, just not as much as I used to. 

You can't control me anymore!

Dear Food,

I have always felt like I needed you. I never realized just how much damage you were truely doing. I only wish I would have been able to see it alot sooner. I am not saying we will not spend time together. It will just be on my terms and not yours. I am in control now! I have others in my life that I can depend on in your place when I am having an emotional break down.

So I say goodbye for now but not forever!

I would tell it that while it was good while it lasted, that it is time to move on.  That I am finding a new friend to keep me company when I am bored.  I need a friend I can rely on to not make my life more difficult.  That I had surgery to make me better - and part of that journey will be to find new tools to get through stress, boredom and happiness as well.  That while it will always be a part of my life, it will not be my life because I am taking control finally!

Laura, Great idea. I would tell the food that you have brought me joy, happiness, pain, sorrow, guilt and most of all FAT. It is now time to say GOODBYE and nice knowing you. I would also tell food that you will now be dealt with on my terms and you will no longer control me. I have decided to be strong and I now have my  will power back that you found so easy to snatch from me. I would also say that I know there will be food around still but I will now look for other things to fill my life with instead of overeating. GOODBYE & FAREWELL you have been a blanket for years and I am now taking the cover off.

                                                                                                                 Julie

Everyone's responses were fantastic!!! Wow, this is quite a deep subject. Makes me feel proud of us though. Keep these messages to food comin! I love reading them.

Laura,
I know it sounds crazy writing the letter but it  is amazing what you get out of it. It is really cathartic.
I would say, It's been real, you have always been there for me, whether I needed you or not. You always knew what I wanted or needed. Things are different now, I am learning how to stand on my own two feet, by myself. I am learning to handle my own problems. Thanks for always being there, I want a divorce...............................
LOL, have fun writing your letter, let me know if you get a response! Leslie 

Dearest food,

Thank you for being my crutch, my shoulder to lean on, my soul mate for all these years. 

But now, it's time to stand up for myself and learn how to live on my own.  I know I have it inside me to do life on my own.

Don't worry dear food, I'll still need you - for nutrition and physical strength - but now I'll learn to use you properly.

All my love,
Me