Shut Up, Uncle Fatty!

We have conflicting forces talking to us and influencing our behaviors within our heads.

These voices tell us what and when to eat. They urge us to get moving or sit some more. Some of us aren’t conflicted, though, because we listen to one of the voices and shut out any influence the other may have over us.

We have our Inner Skinny Girl or Guy and
then, we have Uncle Fatty.
Uncle Fatty is who grabs the wheel and steers you into a fast food drive thru window when you're not even hungry!

Uncle Fatty is who grabs the wheel and steers you into a fast food drive thru window when you’re not even hungry!

Uncle Fatty is loud, obnoxious and overbearing and for some of us, a voice we just can’t ignore. The more we can shut up Uncle Fatty, the better we will be able to adhere to healthier weight behaviors and reach and maintain our target weight.

Uncle Fatty tries to convince us we only live once. He says there’s so much food and so little time. To live a fulfilling life, according to Uncle Fatty, we need to “grab all the gusto!” Uncle Fatty doesn’t think there is anything to gain by losing weight. He is the one who reminds us that we are feeling deprived when we try to monitor our food to reduce our calories.

Uncle Fatty’s voice is the one that says, “Hey! You’re hungry. Yeah, yeah, I know it hasn’t even been an hour, but I’m telling you, you’re really hungry! Gotta eat right now! You’re surrounded by good food. For goodness sakes, get some of that for us!”

He is the voice that never whispers to us, he shouts. “What, stop? You’re not going to stop until every last bite is gone. I love these places that serve Uncle Fatty-sized portions! Forget the doggy bag, clean; just clean the plate. Oh, and don’t forget dessert!”

There's no such thing as "too full" for Uncle Fatty. He wants us to eat until there is nothing left on the plate.

There’s no such thing as “too full” for Uncle Fatty. He wants us to eat until there is nothing left on the plate.

Uncle Fatty isn’t one to eat fruit, vegetables or lean protein and whole grains. Uncle Fatty says, “Added fat and sugar is the best, the more the better. I don’t trust food that doesn’t come in bags, boxes or cans, unless of course, it’s something like a rack of ribs!”

Uncle Fatty says, "Apples are treats for horses, burgers are people snacks!"

Uncle Fatty says, “Apples are treats for horses, burgers are people snacks!”

Uncle Fatty doesn’t like to waste energy. He asks, “Why walk when you can ride? Why rake when you can pay somebody else to do it? Why do you want to play with the kids when you could sit on the couch to watch some really engaging reality TV or something else equally wonderful?  I don’t want to go skiing; I want to go to the movies and I want a jumbo popcorn with butter and a huge soft drink.”

Uncle Fatty protests any physical activity you might get. He tries to say, ” no time for that, it’s boring and painful,” or another excuse to get you to stop, but he is counting the calories you’re burning while you’re active. Then he multiplies by 5 and says, “You need a treat. You earned it, you just burned at least 1000 calories with that workout!”

"Sit back, relax, have something to eat! You earned it," urges Uncle Fatty.

“Sit back, relax, have something to eat! You earned it,” urges Uncle Fatty.

Uncle Fatty is no beloved and benevolent uncle. He isn’t looking out for you or your best interests. He rants and raves to try to get you to do what he wants. What Uncle Fatty wants isn’t what you want. Don’t let Uncle Fatty influence you. Recognize his voice and message when he speaks to you. And then….

…..just tell Uncle Fatty to Shut Up!

 

 

Jackie Conn

About Jackie Conn

Jackie Conn is married and has four grown daughters and four grandchildren. She is a Weight Watchers success story. She's a weight loss expert with 25 years of experience guiding women and men to their weight-related goals. Her articles on weight management have been published in health, family and women's magazines. She has been a regular guest on Channel 5 WABI news, FOX network morning program Good Day Maine and 207 on WCSH.