Of diets and daisy chains

I turn 30 in a little over a month and instead of meeting the end of my 20's with trepidation, I'm celebrating by embracing all that it means to be young, and attempting to leave some old habits behind.

Giving-up: Bad eating habits

It's taken me a few days to figure out exactly what I wanted to give up this month, but looking at my 'Vices' list I realised I never really 'gave up' dessert and 'soft-drink' was still hanging out there unchecked so I thought I could combine the two and make this the month I finally give-up all those bad eating habits I've picked up over the years.

What habits are those you may ask?

Well, let's start with the fact I can generally finish any size meal in less that ten minutes. Yep, whether it's a small salad, a king size meal from the local cafe or even a home-cooked curry, chances are my plate will be empty in 10-15 minutes. It's something I've only started to become conscious of since I've started going to business dinners. I justified it early on by telling myself that "of course I eat faster than the other attendees because they're the ones doing all of the talking" but slowly I've realised that no, I just eat fast.

I don't eat so fast that I get indigestion, but I'm still the one twiddling their thumbs at the table while others continue devouring their delicacies.

Then, there's portion size. It's not uncommon for me to cook something at home to the specifications of a recipe designed to serve 4 people, and for hubby and I to eat it all. True, he eats more of the dish than I do, but I think the time has come for me to either learn how to adjust recipes, or learn to love leftovers.

I also eat far too much sugar, have butter or margarine on breads and will usually reach for a bikkie or chocolate instead of fruit for my 3pm sugar hit.

So for the next four weeks I'm going to:

1) Take at least 20 minutes to eat my lunch & dinner

2) Stick to recommended portion sizes

3) Limit my 'desserts' (ice-cream, cake, biscuits and chocolate) to three serves per week

4) Throw out the butter and marg

5) Eat 3 serves of fruit per day

As it is now the 4th of July, I've already used my dessert quote for the week - eek!

Taking-up: Being a kid

Remember when you were little and you'd walk through a crowded shopping centre practicing your arabesques without  care in the world? or how you'd practice your bowling technique in full view of the Friday night raffle patrons?

No? Just me and my brother then.

Kids really do have it good. Some people spend so much time wanting to grow up they don't fully appreciate the care free nature of childhood. I mean, surely I'm not the only one who gets jealous when they see kids running butt-naked under a sprinkler or wearing  Cinderella costume to do the groceries.

I am? Really?

My mission this month is to re-embrace childhood, whether that be through throwing handstands against a wall, or learning something I never got to do as a kid.

I think I'll draw the line at the sprinkler though.....