During a long-term weight control journey there are a number of “large things” that are clearly derailing to the efforts to shed weight and are easy to identify. Here are some examples:
- A Dairy Queen blizzard or hot fudge sundae
- A McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder meal with fries and a Coke
- A large slice of double chocolate cake
- A Subway foot-long sub, chips and cookie deal
The above examples and many more that could have been listed are “Captain Obvious” in their damage to weight loss efforts. They basically have flashing red lights over them alerting people to “stay away”.
However, there are a number of “small things” that are not as obvious in their damaging impact that can have just as much detrimental effect on weight control efforts. Here are some examples of these:
- M&Ms
- popcorn
- Grapes
- Nuts
- Bite-sized candy snacks
- Shots of alcohol
These examples (many more can be included) are small in size but we are often lulled into eating LOTS of them. As we only eat one or several at a time, they appear to be innocuous in their impact. However, in the aggregate, they can do every bit as much damage to weight control as the “large things”. Devouring a large movie theatre popcorn tub, a few kernels at a time, will harm weight control efforts more than having eaten an ice cream sandwich.
Beware of the “small things”…except the “Small Town”…enjoy John Mellencamp.
