The Optics of Obesity and Food Porn on TV

So…day three of the liquid fast and I am doing well. However, it has been said that perspective is a wonderful thing…it can help you see new options and often reveal things to which you have become immune. For me the new revelation is how much food is advertised on TV. Like most of us here, I would go on diets and minimize some foods, but never really thought of them as off-limits, just delayed. I returned home from the gym last night, sat in my favorite chair, cracked open a Slim-fast and prepared to watch some TV. Then the parade of food porn began, minus the bad Jacuzzi jazz, first it was Chili’s, then Applebee’s, then Outback Steak House, then Taco Bell (I don’t like them, but still food), then Pizza Hut and it just kept going.

I couldn’t take it…I had to stop watching. I looked at my wife and said I have to go read a book, I was optically over stimulated. I was not hungry, but marketing weasels did a good job and I wanted to eat. I removed myself from the TV and went to another room. After I downed my Slim-fast and read for awhile and I stopped thinking about food. Going forward, Tivo will be my new best friend so I can fast forward through those commercials in the future. It was a great opportunity to learn more about how my brain works, how effective the marketing weasels can be and how to manage the urges of my gluttonous past.

I remember being pregnant with wicked morning sickness all day and I was on bedrest with nothing to do but watch TV. (way pre-TiVO!) I couldnt stand the sight of food so I really couldnt watch TV...it was a constnt barrage of images. I would sometimes cover my face and want to cry!

Lately one night I was watching the first episode of Biggest loser and a commercial during it for McDonalds came on for a promo where for a price you would get two Bigmacs or two breakfast sandwiches. The tag line was "give one to a friend or keep them both for yourself, we wont tell!" What a sick idea especially during that show! Cali