I split the difference: I've changed my eating habits to accommodate my aging metabolism (drastically reduced sugar, very little salt, not too much animal fat), but I love to bake and cook. Cooking has become a headache in my house because one kid is prediabetic and can't have refined carbs (also anaphylactic to nuts), and the other has weird IBS issues and can't have too much fiber (!).

This means I still have the hourglass figure I want, just two sizes above the one I used to have.

I am like you and for a long time was just 10 pounds overweight and it really killed me. I’ve relearned to eat smaller portions and stay away from carbs but I enjoy food just as much as I used to, maybe even more because I am more intentional about it.

Interesting. I am overweight because I hate preparing food. I eat too much takeout and restaurant food because I have no energy to cook/meal prep.

I love everything about preparing and eating food. I don’t think I am particularly emotional about eating in a negative way but I actually just enjoy the experience of eating, sharing food, Planning outings, looking at cookbooks, etc.

I picked the wrong hobby.