Comments on: Let’s Talk Diets & Why Guilt Doesn’t Work.

By: Lara S.

Lara S. — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:19:34 +0000

I loved this post. Guilt is one of my major enemies, it gets in most aspects of my life, so I get what you mean.
I think it's great that you're feeling the need to do something else besides your own almost plastic free lifestyle; it's logical to feel the need to do new things and in this case, it's not just out of boredom but the good you want to do to the world. Setting an example is just not enough to change the world, and I think you're more than up to the challenge of taking more massive and creative steps.
In the meantime, your readers are taking small steps and we will eventually catch up to you! Go Beth!!

By: SusanB

SusanB — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:15:24 +0000

This is a great blog with a lot of good information that I wouldn't know about otherwise. I'm about ready to revisit the plastic challenge to see if there's any change in our consumption of plastic. The main result so far has been to make the purchase of something packaged in plastic to be a conscious choice as opposed to just something that happens as a matter of course.
This winter though we'll be eating truly plastic free tomato paste (not even the coating on the bottom of glass jar's lid) as I dried organic tomatoes to make my own.
I'll be interested to see what your next campaign is. And before you mentioned it, I'd but The End of Overeating on my reading list. Democracy Now did a really good program with the author and another writer last Thursday. You can watch the show off their website if you didn't see it.

By: katiehippie

katiehippie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:36:15 +0000

I try not to make myself feel guilty but I try to be more and more aware of the plastic in the things I purchase. Then when I'm looking for things to eat, I just can't fathom purchasing something with so much plastic packaging if there is something else available. I was stunned when I really looked with new eyes at a grocery store. Nearly everything is in plastic. It's really astonishing. Most people don't see it, they don't realize how much there is. I try to remember not to blindly just buy things but actually look at them. Then I make the decisions without having any guilt.

By: me

me — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:13:15 +0000

This is why it becomes so frustrating to me when people say losing weight is simply willpower! Like many other things, it might be willpower to a degree, but there are many things working against you coming from businesses. First, you have to figure out all the ways that you are being influenced to do things a certain way because of how food is formulated, placed, how you get around your city and countless other decisions. Once you are aware of these things, it might be easier to spot or understand what you need to look at when making a decision, but it generally requires more effort. The same idea applies all over the place, which is the sometimes overwhelming part to me.

By: Billie

Billie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:01:42 +0000

Beth,

In 10 weeks, I have lost 6lbs (or hope to keep that loss when I do my official weigh-in on Friday). Yes, I have been better at exercising but have not changed anything else. I am not 'dieting' per se. When I am hungry I eat. When I am not hungry, I try not to eat.

The difference is what I put in my mouth when I am hungry. I think working on my plastic free diet is working in terms of weight loss. I had to go to Portland for business for 4 days. That break from my household has really helped in that 'wandering' I referred to in my Challenge entries. I think I have managed to break the cycle of junk food in a major way. Mind you... I also got severely sick on my trip. I wonder if all that eating out was the culprit.

I feel like my personal life is so overwhelming that I don't know if I feel up to any activism. Definitely not looking for any. I have had to explain the challenge to a few people so I feel like I am getting the word out there without appearing like a nutcase.

By: John Costigane

John Costigane — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:29:18 +0000

Hi Beth,

Over here, Ready Meals are a big source of fat, salt and sugar. These are increasingly under attack from all sides, including from consumers, local traders, farmers and media.

Promoting better alternatives also reduces packaging waste, so its a win-win situation.

Zero Waste ideas are more mainstream now but we intend keeping the pressure up with refillables starting in supermarkets in September.

By: Robj98168

Robj98168 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:22:06 +0000

PS Sounds like froghair needs my WWFPFD T-shirt. LOL. BUt beth a side note- I reduce my plastic consumption and that is becuase of blogs like yours. Y'all show me the way.

By: Robj98168

Robj98168 — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:20:14 +0000

Changing my diet has a green effect- less trash, healthier food. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 3 years ago in the hospital when I had Congestive heart failure caused by a bout with pneumonia, so I had no choice but change what I ate. Glad to say I am down about 50 pounds, have normal blod pressure, and my A1C says by glucose levels are pretty good. Now if I could get my triglycerides to cooperate and my bad cholesterol down. But anyway some of the changes I had to make were lose some weight, get more excersize, quit smoking (okay two out of three aint bad) But taking a rekindled interest in my garden and walking my dog gives my a better diet and excersize.
"Guilt sucks" is my motto.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:18:29 +0000

The cycle of overconsumption drives me crazy. Even my little kids get caught up in it, the endless drive for 'more' and 'better'. And environmentalists do, too - we buy things because they're 'green', even though we don't always really need them.

I'm interested to hear what your next campaign is. I think I might be ready.

By: fem pen

fem pen — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:58:01 +0000

While I've been doing my best to avoid plastic, sometimes you just can't. Like that plastic lining inside the cap of an olive oil jar. And there's no way I'm giving up olive oil.

So, if you are starting a new campaign, I'm in!