If you’re having trouble losing weight and keeping it off, maybe it’s something you ate

Tonight, it’s rainy and sleety and nasty out. We had grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, with a nice side of mixed veggies. Mmmm, mmm.

Son swore he could eat a whole grilled cheese sandwich, so I made him one. Without thinking, I made myself a whole one, as well. I ate my dinner, while he dawdled and told me about his day. Finally, he said he was full, with a half a sandwich left on his plate.

I

a) forced him to eat the sandwich

b) threw the sandwich in the trash

c) ate it myself

I feel awful now. Stuffed, overweight and unhappy. Looking back on our eating patterns, I know that I eat far too much food because I eat what I serve myself, and then feel awful about wasting food when he doesn’t finish his dinner–so I eat his leftovers, too. I need to either stop eating his food or serve myself far less. I think it should be the former, not the latter. I don’t know where I got this habit, but consider it broken, tonight.

I also need re re-read French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure. It’s a wonderful, witty, compassionate look at the philosophy of eating, and teaches us all to live a little, without gaining a lot. It’s one of those books that should replace all the diet books in your bookshelves.

Tags: advice, children, health, motherhood, mothering, French women don’t get fat, Mireille Guiliano