A former boss of mine told me the best things in life are either illegal, immoral, or fattening. The quote is credited to American journalist, Alexander Woollcott.
It suggests that people normally find pleasures from things that are wrong, unethical, or unhealthy.
I consider myself a law-abiding citizen. When I need five minutes to pack breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I will park in a proper parking spot and pay 1-hour parking. I do not double park. I do not run red light. I throw my rubbish in trash cans.
Being a Christian, I am aware God is watching me and if I do anything wrong, it makes him sad. I grief the Holy Spirit with every misstep. I try to be as good a boy I can be.
As for fattening, whoa, I am a loose cannon. It is a rare meal that contains no fat, salt, and lots of sugar. I take all the sweet beverages. Yes, I take fruit juice. And they contain a lot of sugar. Burgers, fried chicken, fried rice, candies, chocolates, 3-in-1 premixed beverages, fruit juice, ice-cream, biscuit with cream, sultanas, etc. I have a sweet tooth. I prided myself for taking sweet stuff while others looked on in awe.
In my late 20s, I was admitted twice due to an abdominal pain. The doctors did not find anything unusual. They did find out I have elevated blood pressure. I did not want to take medicine, instead wanted to try to fix it by changing my lifestyle. I did not make it work. I started medication.
Two years ago, I was diagnosed to be prediabetic. Instead of “repenting” and turning around. I watched my diet briefly and then went back to my “fattening” life. Two years later, in Dec 2024, the HbA1c showed I was diabetic while the blood glucose showed was not. I am to get another blood sugar test in Feb.
This time, I am taking it seriously. I already have hypertension. I cannot do anything about it. That is my limit. I do not want diabetes. I cut sugar cold turkey. I packed all the instant noodles from the kitchen cupboard. I will give it to Food bank. I packed everything with lots of sugar. Including good and drinks and passed it to my mother. My nephews and nieces can take them when the come visit during the weekend.
For the first time in my life, I am experiencing a prolonged period of tastelessness. I do not like my cooking. I quickly get bored of stir-fried vegetables plus chicken.
I should see a drop in weight, should I not? No. It increased slightly! I think I snack too often. Even through they are “sugar-less” biscuits, they are still carbohydrate. I have since started on a three-time a day workout regime. I may get an elliptical machine or a treadmill. An elliptical machine is better for the knees, but Ben can use the treadmill.
I have talked a lot. Let me get to my point for this post. Do not continue doing something we KNOW is bad for us. Just stop it. Do I miss the juicy burgers? I do. Do I miss fried chicken? I do. Do I miss the fruit juice, the Old Town Hazelnut White Coffee? I do. Do I miss chocolate? I do. Do I miss ice cream? I do.
You know, K left me with a 20 Ringgit Inside Scoop gift voucher. I put it right below my mousepad, so I don’t lose it. I then misplaced it before I could redeem it. I might have put it in my bag or somewhere else to ensure I have it with me when I am out of the house. I was not able to find it. I think it may not be a co-incidence.
So, yes. If you know something is bad, stop it, no matter how much pleasure you get from it.
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