It's all in the mind

My husband is 45 years old. He is 6'1" and in top condition. His stamina is such that he outlasts men half his age doing physical labor. He has never had a problem with overeating.

It's disgusting.

We've been together since we were 16. Back then I weight 108 pounds. When we got married I weighed 121 pounds. At 25 I was 125 pounds. After my son was born I was 147 pounds. THEN I gained 40 pounds in two years. My husband has gained only 20 pounds in all those years, probably muscle. WHO has been in charge of the food in our family, I ask you? Me. That means we're in the same house with the same food. So, what's been the difference all these years?

I just recently realized that my husband thinks differently about food than I do. I have become aware of some of the things he says...

Such as:

1. (Standing in front of the open frig and mumbling to himself) "Hmm. I'm probably just thirsty."

2. (9:00 at night) "I'd like a snack but it's too close to bedtime."

3. (After 3 days of cereal for breakfast) "I'd better have some protein. I haven't had much for the last couple of days."

4. (At a restaurant) "This is really good. I think I'm starting to feel full so I'll ask for a to-go box."

My responses in the above situations?

1. (Standing in front of the open frig, chewing on something I found in there) "Well, that wasn't what I wanted. Maybe I can find something else that will taste good."

2. (9:00 at night) "I wonder if we have any chocolate in the house."

3. (After 3 days of cereal for breakfast) "I just realized that I haven't had anything but pasta and dessert for three days."

4. (At a restaurant) "That tastes so good. Just one more bite. Oh. No, thank you. I don't need a box."

Do you see the difference in the thought process each of us goes through? I've also noticed something else. My taste buds are stunted.

My husband will eat junk like any red-blooded American. He likes it all. But his taste buds also like bitter things (the man will absolutely down a plate of turnip greens with hot pepper vinegar), and detest fatty things (he peels the breading off of the fried shrimp). Heck, he rejoiced when he saw the Tomato Aspic a few weeks ago!

Seeing this about him mostly just annoys me. It basically means that I have a LOT of retraining to do with my thinking. That means work.

It's all about discipline. I tell my 7yo "no" when something isn't good for him. Apparently I'm the one who has to tell me "no."