MarieONeill

Day 5 and surprise, surprise I'm still hungry.

My Local MP Graham Stringer has responded to my challenge with the following -

'Hunger strikes and eating less food have a long and honourable tradition of trying to affect change on behalf of the poor and dispossessed. I hope the attempt to draw attention to the plight of the poor by Marie by reducing her calorie intake has some impact.'

Maybe the letter he promises to write will have more detail?

Hmmmmmm, What do we think?

My body and I are enemies now.  The lack of food I am giving myself is making my stomach angry and sullen.  I am rewarded with headaches, confusion and when I do eat, extreme tiredness.  Oddly though, it’s amazing how quickly your body can adapt.  The days seem to be getting easier.  Its like I’ve accepted my fate. 

However, today, I plan to cheat.  Hands up, I’m a failure, get your stones at the ready.  I am planning on driving this afternoon for work.  Not eating anything and then driving my car would be a foolish idea.  I don’t think Oxfam’s plan is to endanger the life of its employee’s (or anyone else who happens to be on the roads), no matter how good the cause (think of the media coverage though Nicola….) 

It feels good to know I am eating in a bit.  I like the feeling of control.  I can make myself feel fitter, happier and more productive (any music fans out there?).  Poverty is all about not having control.  Making difficult choices every single day.  

One thing that has really struck me is that as a single woman, it’s only me I have to worry about.  I have no children to care for.  Imagine the worry of not being able to provide enough for your family.  Knowing your children aren’t getting enough to eat, which will affect their development.  Maybe endangering your own health to develop that of your children.  I can’t think of a harder choice as a parent. 

Now, what should I have for lunch? 

Day 2 of my challenge began late, and i mean really late.  I don't work on Tuesdaysso no getting up early for me.  Normally i'm up and about by 10, wandering around in my dressing gown and yawning.  However, today I didn't get up until 1.30?!?  I never get up that late unless, well, i get in late.  My body is rebelling.  Or maybe the lack of food i put in it yesterday means i had no energy this morning to drag myself out of bed.  Imagine living off limited food, having no energy and then having to walk miles for water?  I just had to walk downstairs and I found that tiring. 

My beautiful housemate Jennifer Brookes is living of £1.50 a day for her challenge so together we walked into the city in the rain - her with no money, my stomach rumbling.  After a wander round a gallery i started to get a headache so needed to start the long walk home (remember, no buses for us) for dinner.  After a trip round tescos (Jenn made me hold my breath round the bakery bit as it smelt so delicious) I realised how again how lucky i was to be able to live in a country where a mass of food is readily available and that i have the money and resources to access it.  I'm also thinking a lot about how much we consume without needing to - Making a cup of tea last night I realised how much i would eat, just because I could, not because I was hungry - a little chocolate here, a biscuit there. 

Snacking is a pastime of the wealthy me thinks.

So, Monday’s are hard enough.  Dragging oneself out of a warm bed is always difficult but this morning was more difficult then most.  The first thing I thought about when I opened my eyes was food and the fact that I wouldn’t be eating for a while…

I am only eating one meal a day this week to try and sympathise with those living in poverty all over the world.  

I’ve had nothing to eat all day and I’m starting to feel the strain.  My work is really suffering; I’m finding it hard to concentrate and keep forgetting what I am doing.  I’m getting a headache and all I can think about is busting out of work early to go get some dinner – do we think my boss would mind? 

At least I know I’m going to have a meal later.  I’m lucky enough to get to go home to a warm house and eat some food.  People in poverty in the UK might have to make the choice between one or the other – Food or shelter?  Food or medicine?  Food or transport?  

Man, I’m hungry.  Roll on dinnertime!  I think tomorrow will be tough as I will not be at work, but at home.  About 3 feet from my kitchen, trying to ignore it calling me.

I may have to go out…

My challenge is to eat one meal a day for a week.

Having worked with street homeless and vulnerably housed people in the past I am aware of the reality for most homeless people is eating sporadically, not knowing when the next meal will be.  Sometimes breakfast is provided at a shelter, providing you can get into one.  I felt only having one meal a day would help me empathise with the reality of people’s situations when living poverty.

I live in Manchester and will be asking my MP Graham Stringer what does poverty mean to him?