How to think like a fat person

[Brawny77]

I told this story on another weight loss short forum a long time ago so if it looks familiar to you push away from the computer and go outside cause you are getting way too much screen time.

Here is an example of me thinking like a fat guy. So my wife was out of town and of course I head to the all you can eat Chinese buffet. I pull into the parking lot and get out of my pickup. Well, across the parking lot I see another fat guy (even fatter than me) get out of his car too. What do I do? I rush to beat him to the door. Like they are gonna run out of food at the all you can eat buffet. That my friends is a glimpse at the ugly fat person that resides in my brain. I gotta quit listening to that ugly fat mentality.

Fight the good fight my heavy friends

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

Look on the bright side, at least you did a bit of sprinting

I would say there's absolutely nothing wrong with a 'Chinese buffet', and I still get disappointed when they've run out of certain things. I go to an all-you-can-eat place maybe once or twice a week after a workout. The difference is that I avoid those things that made me fat. I fill up my plate with a mountain of vegetables and meat. I avoid the rice and soft drinks. I'll have a bit of fruit or one scoop of ice-cream (because I'm so stuffed I can't manage more than one). YMMV, but it works for me. Photos here if you're curious (not the one I go to, just an example):

walkerland.com.tw/article/v...

I suppose the main problem here is that you are (I assume) in the UK, and what you're looking at on the buffet is not really "Chinese food". It's an Anglicized version of Cantonese food - probably one of the least healthful regional variants in existence. I've only been to one of those places once, and the choices are limited if you're trying to not get fat. Not zero, but definitely limited.

Most of China's billion-plus people aren't fat (at least, the ones that haven't discovered Coke, instant noodles and McDonalds), and that's because they eat healthy food. I'd love to start up a proper Chinese buffet back in England, but I suspect I wouldn't get much custom.

[Brawny77 in reply to TheAwfulToad]

I am in Texas but you described our “Chinese” buffet spot on

[TheAwfulToad Visitor in reply to Brawny77]

I just googled 'Chinese buffet' in Texas and they actually seem to be much better than what you get in the UK. Plenty of veg and healthy offerings, and a wider range of authentic regional dishes. British ones tend to be very much noodles, rice, gloopy sauces, and MSG (ie., Hong Kong flavours combined with the British appetite for stodge).

I did come across a rather sad "diet menu", which seemed to be based on the idea that as long as it's steamed and tasteless then it's healthy. Avoid that sort of thing and you'll be fine!

Maybe it's just a case of shopping around for a new buffet to haunt? Of course I realise Texas is a rather big place and you're not going to drive 50 miles for a buffet meal

[Brawny77 in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Actually I probably would drive 50 miles for a buffet lol

[Dave1000 1 stone in reply to TheAwfulToad]

I loved your discussion TheAwfulToad and Brawny77 , thank you. I certainly recognised myself in the past but perhaps heading for a pizza shop for lunch or any restaurant whilst working away from home which for many years was most mid week evenings. It is encouraging to recognise that Chinese can still be an occasional treat if you bother to make some sensible choices, I like all of the stir fried veg choices and crispy seaweed so that might be something that I look to do some time soon. There are no good buffet's near us, but there are a few decent restaurants, so a bit more expensive but worth it I think😄

[amykp Visitor]

You know, I (having lost a lot of weight and kept it off) love a buffet too! I can fill my plate with exactly the things I want to eat (no starch, meat and veg like awfultoad) and not get tempted with what I don't.

I have a trick though--I force myself to take a lot (a LOT) of little portions, one at a time, hopping up and down. I think it keeps me eating slowly, and from eating more than I want...and maybe it's a little exercise? Especially if you have to beat the other guy with each trip? ;o)

[PandQs Maintainer 3st 7lbs]

Brawny77 you really made me smile with this story - I wish you well with your journey to find the more slender person that lies within - and as the thoughts of TheAwfulToad have been so helpful to me over the last couple of years I can recommend that you read some of his posts. Best of luck!