I was a gourmand. Food was my obsession. I gorged on it every chance I got. Whenever I traveled, I preferred to pop into the different restaurants and enjoying the different cuisines than go sightseeing. My friends and family stopped going abroad with me because I always wanted to stop somewhere to eat when they wanted to be on the go.
While they were pounding the pavement in the midday heat, I was in a nice, air conditioned restaurant, enjoying great food. This love for food began when I was in my late teens and continued into my late twenties. Unlike most of my friends and relatives, I was still single. I dated a couple of times but the men were turned off because I ate more than they did.
I hardly socialized. I was used to eating out alone and when I wasn’t doing that, I was at home, reading or watching television while enjoying take out or recipes I tried from the scores of cookbooks I had. Then, one day, I looked a really hard look at myself and realized that if I didn’t stop, I was going to eat myself into an early grave.
So, I did what I never thought I would ever do. I gave away my cookbooks and went on a diet. I ate mostly fruit, grains and salads. It wasn’t easy but determination can be a great motivator. Besides, I wanted to live to a ripe old age like most of my family.
I started going to the gym as well and that’s where I met Peter. He was the most attractive man in the entire place and I was blown away when he noticed me. I had lost some weight but still needed to lose a lot more. Anyway, after weeks of catching each other’s eye, he finally came over and introduced himself. We spent the rest of my time at the gym together. Before I left, he asked me out. I was on cloud nine. I ran down the sidewalk like a giddy school girl. It felt great to be going on a date after such a long time.
We went to Spicy Affairs, a vegetarian restaurant (he was vegetarian) and over Mushroom Marsala we talked and laughed. We had such a wonderful time together that we made other dates. When we weren’t at the gym together, we were going to the beach for long walks or drives up the coast, the movies, museums and art galleries, all the kinds of things I wasn’t interested in when food was all I cared about. Now, I have so many other interests and I met a terrific guy who makes me feel beautiful. It is because of him that I haven’t lost all of my chubbiness.
Did I forget to mention that we’re engaged? Oh yes, he popped the question yesterday when we were taking our regular stroll along the beach. That photo you see of us was taken after I said YES! Every time I look at it, I am ever so thankful that I had the good sense to turn my life around. I still enjoy food but not as excessively as before and besides, I have Peter to keep me in line.
This was written for the Ragtag Daily Prompt for today’s prompt, Gourmand. If you’re interested in participating, click HERE for more information.
Notes to Women 