Like most of us, I enjoy music. It’s a big part of my day and is definitely my biggest motivator while exercising. It can make me push harder, go at an even pace, or just make me feel good. I also think music can also be motivating for varying eating habits. So, yes, it’s time to make a new playlist.
If you are declaring that today is the day you start eating healthy, then you might find the song “Changes” by David Bowie on your playlist. Nothing gets you fired up and ready for changes like this song. While getting pumped up to venture out to the grocery store to stock up on healthy foods maybe your shuffle will land on “Sirius” by the Alan Parsons Project. Just do what the music makes you feel, like running by an unsuspecting customer yelling “Miiiichael Jorrrrrdan!” and dunking a grapefruit in their cart.
If you are participating in a gluten-free diet, perhaps your playlist could contain some whiny British rock music like The Cure, or maybe some quick fading bandwagon music fad ruining our modern music culture like dubstep. Perhaps the song “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones will start playing.
Are you on a diet where you allow yourself “cheat days” once or twice a week? If so, during those days your playlist might include songs like “Add It Up” by the Violent Femmes, while waiting for the delivery guy to bring the two large pizzas you just ordered for yourself. You might even find yourself singing “Why can’t I get just one slice?” and “Add it up” after ingesting and counting the calories in each delicious bite.
If you find yourself lusting after another cookie, I would expect Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” to start playing, as you sit and look at the cookie as if it broke your heart and you would do anything to be with it again. Since we’re already jammin’ in food with Alicia, maybe “My Boo” will be next, and you can take turns singing the Alicia part and the Usher part to the cookie. Reminisce with the cookie, and let it know you still have feelings for it.
Maybe when there is half a bag of chips left and you sneak off into your bed to cheat on your diet and finish it off, being careful not to let the head of lettuce in your fridge know what’s going on, play “Wicked Games” by the Weeknd, just let it be your dirty little secret. Maybe play “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes, but don’t play games with the last piece of cheesecake, let your true intentions be known. Then shortly after, follow these turbulent escapades with Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” because seriously, this is the last piece and then we are done…Well, okay maybe just one more.
Can’t sleep? Think you might be hungry but can’t quite put your finger on what it is? Cue Phil Collin’s “In The Air Tonight” as you wander around your house in a fog trying to decide if hunger is what is keeping you from a deep sleep. Did you give in to the feeling and look through your cabinets and fridge for something to eat? Cue U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and make sure to grab some Bono shades so your eyes can adjust to the glow of the fridge contrasting with the dark room. Finally find what you’re looking for? End the night with “So Happy Together” by the Turtles as you stumble back to bed in a food coma from eating what you think was left over lasagna, although you can’t be sure.
Speaking of not knowing what you’re eating, ever find yourself being too lazy to go to the store to get groceries and end up scrounging through all the deepest and darkest corners of your fridge? To check the expiration date or not to check the expiration date, that is the (inner fat kid’s) question. Make sure to have a playlist consisting of “It’s Tricky” by Run DMC, and after you take a bite of the mystery food, perhaps play The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” followed by “It’s the End of the World” by R.E.M., because let’s face it, eating that Trader Joe’s chicken Caesar wrap from 3 months ago was a terrible life choice, but hey, you made the rotten bed, now you have to lie in it.
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f you are one of the good people of the world eating a healthy diet consisting of clean and light foods, perhaps play “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac. You’ll be singing the line “All your life you’ve never seen a woman taken by the wind” as you indulge on some succulent rice cakes and then step outside and float away in the breeze.
Ever order so much take-out food just for yourself that you have to act like you’re on the phone telling your friend that you just picked up the food for the party (this is my walk of shame) as you walk by neighbors? Listen to “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age, and then once you eat everything, play “It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore to conclude your sick, sad dinner party. Did they only give you three crab Rangoon instead of four as listed on the menu? Change it to Avril Lavigne’s “(So Much for) My Happy Ending.”