Self Control

Self Control

By Jean Eunjin Lee

“I’m going to go on tofu diet. I weighed seventy-six kilograms last year and I’m eighty kilograms right now. Can you believe it? Plus I’m aging rapidly these days because of all stress I get from working so hard!”
“Dad, you don’t look that bad. Although, if you lost some weight on you’d look younger.”
“Honey, you are an old man, what do you expect? Old men are supposed to have mountainous belly. Besides, I like it.”
“Because my body is so heavy, I can’t move well and my backaches are getting worse and worse. All of you really need to help me.”
“I definitely don’t want you in pain. I got your back, Hun.”
“Alright Dad you better not give up.”
Later in the evening, the Larson family gathered in the dining room. The dining table wasn’t full of scrumptious, mouthwatering food, instead, on the table, was tofu, lettuce, and non-fat salad dressing.
“Honey, is this all for dinner?”
“Dad, about three hours ago, you said you wanted to go on tofu diet. Remember?”
“Oh…right. The tofu surely does look white…and kind of delicious.”
“Honey, you simply must try the tofu! I grabbed the juiciest looking one at the supermarket. I think it’s organic.”
Mr. Larson, regretting what he had promised himself, unwilling finished his dinner in ten minutes. It was tough for such a big man to suddenly have a small, healthy meal. The amount of food alone satisfy him, not too mention the taste, or rather the lack of one.
“My Korean friends told me tofu is good for people that are dieting, I’m pretty sure this diet is working because I’m hungry already.”
“Hey kids, do you want some fresh red apples for dessert? I just got them today at Costco.”
“Mmm…that sounds good. Honey, can I have some too?”
“Sure, but are apples included in your diet?”
“Yup, I think apples would be perfect to eat after that filling meal of tofu.”
That night, Mr. Larson ended up consuming two whole apples in addition with his tofu meal. While everyone was asleep, Mr. Larson secretly took out a pint of ice cream from the freezer. The flavor was his favorite in the world, chocolate fudge with chocolate chips. One spoonful then became two then three and without noticing, the whole pint of ice cream was gone.
It might have been okay if Mr. Larson broke his “diet rules” for one day but it continued throughout the following weeks and months. Mr. Larson ended up gaining two more kilograms after he starting his “diet” the year before. Unable to control himself, Mr. Larson completely failed in his valiant attempt to lose weight for betterment his health. His backache got worse and his body more worn out. Ignorant of the fact that the diet was for his own good, Mr. Larson lied to his children and his wife about his eating habits. If he had controlled himself he could have been healthier and prevented turning into a deceptive person. So back to you, are you controlling yourself or is your desire controlling you? You know the answer.

Picture:

http://www.ineedmotivation.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/self-control.jpg