i was part of a secret eating club in college where we'd gather every semester to see who could consume the most pizza slices in one sitting. it was all in good fun... until someone challenged me to eat 21 hot dogs in 10 minutes. i won, but the stomach pain and regret lasted long after it was over.
fast forward a few years, and i had successfully avoided any situation that might trigger my competitive eating demons. that is, until i started working at a diner with an open flame grill, where the smell of sizzling burgers wafted through the air, making me feel like a ticking time bomb.
i've since taken steps to cope meditation, deep breathing exercises, and a newfound appreciation for salads (just kidding, it's still pizza). but every now and then, i'll catch myself gazing longingly at someone else's massive burger or, worse, feeling an overwhelming urge to stuff my face with a plate of fries.
it's like my mind is trying to tell me something "you may have won the eating contest, but you're still not immune to its influence." i guess what i'm saying is... if anyone needs me, i'll be over here, slowly rebuilding my stomach and my sanity