Welcome to my blog!
I figure a great place to start is a few truths about weight loss ... at least as I see them.
1. Conventional strategies may work in the short term, but fail comprehensively with time. Dieting doesn't work. May I suggest a simple re-frame ...
Instead of focusing on all the treats you have to live without, shift your attention to respecting your body. If your body truly is a temple, then why desecrate it with "foods" that don't love you back?
Respect and love beat diet and deprivation hands-down, every time.
2. If it ain't healthy, then it sure won't be permanent.
Pills, potions, the quick fix, the magic bullet ... all have temporary allure if you are drowning in desperation. But how on earth will you sustain something that is destructive, not constructive?
Want safe and sustainable weight loss? Invest in getting healthy.
3. The root of all unwanted weight gain is emotional conflict.
Unless you are willing to deal honestly with the traumas that weigh you down, you will always struggle to beat your addiction to the foods that hurt you so bad.
You cannot bury pain under food. Food should be a source of pleasure and nutrition, not an analgesic that disguises the truth within your life.
When you muster the courage to confront your demons, you create the foundation you need for the results you want so bad.
Of course there's more ...
But this is a good start ... for me and for you.
I hope to see you again soon :)
And sipping on cold filtered water thoughout the day to speed up your metabolism. And not buying hot cheetos even if they say natural, because if you're like me - you won't be able to stop till the entire bag is empty.
ReplyDeleteHi Betsy ... thanks for your comment.
DeleteMay I suggest a rethink on your motivations for sipping on cold water. If I understood you correctly, the reason you do this is because you believe you will be burning more calories in order to bring the water back up to body temperature. And, by using tricks to expend more calories than you consume ... you either create a deficit, which results in fat loss ... or you buy yourself some latitude to treat yourself to things like hot cheetos without paying the price of weight gain.
This is probably more theoretical than actually useful. You'd be far better off focusing on making better food choices (ignoring marketing jargon like "natural" man made foods, for example) and focusing on fresh, whole, mostly uncooked plant foods that haven't been processed or altered by unwanted interventions.
If you feel the need to consume animal products, that's a personal choice. Just make an effort to stay away from dairy (including yogurt, which isn't a health food, in spite of the marketing)... and be aware that commercial animals are fed an unnatural diet (so are fundamentally unhealthy themselves).
Animal products also require cooking which burdens the body's resources when it comes to extracting nutrients and eliminating the unusable. And ... they contribute a lot more salt than you need, which means you will need to drink more water just to offset the resultant dehydration.
You don't need to strive for anything approaching perfection ... just keep your mind open and gradually expand your awareness.
Ultimately, a diet that keeps you hydrated and takes less energy to process, will help you feel better in the long run.
May I suggest a more useful goal would be efficiency, rather than expending more calories.
When you are more efficient, you will need less ... and your body will naturally respond to a decreased burden with so much more vitality and a stronger immune system.
Good luck, thanks for your contribution.
Don
My son gave me that tip that is entering a body building contest. I just started trying it. He said it boosts the metabolism. I eat a fairly healthy diet that is rich in minerals and vitamins including, kale, dulse seaweed, garlic, tumeric, kasha (buckwheat grouts), wild red salmon, sardines, tuna (while it's still free of extra radiation. A variety of green lettuces, except ice berg, I stay away from soft drinks, mostly filtered water.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a vegetarian and I grew up on mostly whole grains, beans that we had to mostly soak overnight before cooking, miso soup, tahini butter ect. My mom did prepare chicken and fish twice a month. I personally like a variety now and find that eating a diet mostly of grains and beans doesn't work well for me. I would always choose grass fed beef over the other but its not always available. I do not eat much meat but, I will now and then and I feel our bodies need the B12. I eat probably 10 eggs a week usually organic or free range. I was having fun with the cheetos that I mentioned, but did buy them a couple times recently from Fresh N Easy (that had many good products) and like to indulge now and then. I think restricking yourself so much will make you binge later.
Hi Betsy
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. It raises quite a few points which I thought I might talk about.
First, it sounds like you are a very conscious consumer. When I look at the list of foods you prefer, I notice you tend you view each food for its contribution of an isolated nutrient. So ... dulse for its iodine, wild/cold water fish for their long chain omega 3's, tumeric and garlic for all their touted benefits etc.
And, on the surface, your choices seem careful and responsible. But here's something to possibly think about ...
May I suggest that you worry less about adding in foods to capitalize on claimed strong points ... and see meal times primarily as something you enjoy that supports your body's own natural abilities to clean, heal and regenerate.
When you start focusing on, for example, cold water fish ... not because your body responds positively and you feel good on a macro level ... but because of "radiation undetected" or "less mercury" or "good fats" ... then you can start to get too intellectually invested (and lose all the fun).
For example, yes, we are told a certain choice of seafood isn't contaminated by radiation (that's dose-dependent which is another story)... but then maybe you start worrying about all its selenium being gobbled up to bind with excessive (and unavoidable) mercury.
So now where do you get your selenium from?
See where I'm going with this? You can drive yourself crazy because you start worrying too much and over-thinking things.
I totally commend you on getting so informed. While I don't support consuming beef for anything other than occasional social situations where you don't want to draw unwanted attention to your dietary choices ... I get that your preference for "grass-fed" is infinitely preferable to, for example, whole grain pasta smothered in fatty sauce full of artificial cr*p, or organic dairy, or whatever.
Which means ... that you are concerned about "omega 3 to omega 6 ratios" and other issues.
Which means that you are buying into certain theories without looking at the whole picture and thinking things through by yourself. Yes, aim for a more optimal ratio ... but then what about the fact that when you cook that grass-fed meat, you denature the bonds between the component amino acids creating excessive hard work for your digestive processes ... possibly (probably) diverting finite resources away from more important "responsibilities" like supporting your body's ability to maximally oxygenate itself?
Phew!
It's a deep rabbit hole when you start to think like that ...
(cont.)
(continued from above)...
ReplyDeleteAnother part of your wonderfully detailed comment that jumps out at me is the diet you grew up on. I so feel for you ... all that fuss, all those whole grains, all those legumes.
Sure, you might have tolerated this diet ... but as you came to realize, it's hard to thrive on a diet like this. Whole grains cannot be considered as "healthy" by anyone who actually thinks outside the limiting box of convention. And why eat foods that need lengthy preparation just to make them palatable?
I also notice you throw out that reference to B12. This is such a misunderstood nutrient. I always shake my head when I hear people consciously try and look to diet for B12. B12 deficiency is an issue of function (or, more accurately, dysfunction). If your body produces sufficient intrinsic factor and other aspects of your physiology have not been impaired, then you will get all the B12 you need from your own body. B12 (as you know, I'm sure) is made by bacteria ... and bacteria are ubiquitous throughout your body.
Which begs the question, why look to bacteria in your diet for B12. Your body has plenty already. B12 deficiency is an absorption issue ... because efficiency has been compromised and function is not as it should be.
Hence my broader focus on function, efficiency and balance.
Regarding Cheetos and occasional indulgences ... good on you. I am a huge supporter of occasional indulgences. Not for nutritional reasons, but for the psychological benefits of not feeding unwanted neuroses.
I encounter so many people who agonize about their indiscretions and expend massive energy worrying about their food choices.
The truth is that a diet that predominates in fresh, raw, organic plants ... combined with the other keys to vitality ... effectively means that you will enjoy rare levels of health and happiness and enjoy your life as it was meant to be enjoyed.
I can only speak from personal experience, but when I binge (and I do on occasion 'cause I sure ain't perfect) it's ALWAYS because I am worrying about something, not because my blood sugar is bouncing, or whatever.
The truth is (and you know this because I can tell what you read) is that when you condition your body to partition fuels by design (reduce its dependence on topped up glycogen to feel human) ... you will never have cravings predominantly caused by anything other than emotional detritus.
The real question is can you achieve this on both a "high fat" diet AND a "low fat/high fruit" diet?
I believe you can, because the evidence (anecdotal observation because how can you conduct a meaningful study on something with so many variables?) supports it. Providing, of course, you include attention to vitality keys beyond diet.
Thanks again Betsy.
I really appreciate your contribution and hope my input helps you on your journey. It is so nice to come across someone who takes responsibility for their own health and invests in expanding their tool box of knowledge.
Take care and keep going. Keep learning and refining ... and respecting yourself. You sound very relaxed about where you're at with all this.
Hi again. In total agreement about the foods we choose to binge on and why. I asked mysef honestly the other day why I would choose such a food when there are so many other satisfying and delcious healthy choices, and yes it does come down as a state you may find yourself in, and yes your body will crave what is healthy and right for it when you are following a good nutritious regimen but there are the times of overwhelm and immediate comfort may sometimes win out.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned the cold fishes and meat, but honestly I do not have either of these too oftem, and I also choose from a very wide variety and do not worry like you mentioned about what I'm eating - I enjoy what I choose. My father also raised me without sugar, but I do partake now and then but try to avoid high frutose.
Out of curosity can you share with me your typical breakfast dishes or some of your other meals. I'm interested in expanding and would like to hear some of what you like to enjoy.
Don have a great weekend by the way!
Don,
ReplyDeleteHere is what Dr. Mercola has to say about B12. thought I would share with you.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/19/vitamin-b12-helps-ward-off-alzheimers.aspx
Hi Betsy
ReplyDeleteThanks again :)
Yes indeed, our love for food is undoubtedly an addiction. This is perhaps why intelligent food choices can set us free in the long term.
Your relationship with food sounds quite healthy and it is good to interact with someone who shares my passion for human nutrition and vitality.
I notice your caution with fructose. Dr Lustig's insights made a profound impact on a lot of people. His belief that fructose is a "dose-dependent hepato-toxin" is probably not far from the truth, especially considering how inactive most of the population tends to be ... and how ubiquitous HFCS is in the SAD/SUK/SWD.
Having said that, if you are active and get the majority of your calories from fruit I see no cause for anxiety with respect to fructose and de novo lipogenesis in the liver.
If you are sedentary and indulge in the usual suspects, then sure, pay close attention to Dr Lustig's words because they are a very powerful truth.
I think he acknowledges this too when he makes reference in some of his interviews to elite athletes, though I think a moderate activity schedule will still comfortably offset any potential disadvantage from fruit fructose.
Do I have research data to back me up? Of course not, only pure unadulterated anecdotal observation (and proud of it). :)
Re: my typical breakfast ... sure ... I usually don't eat much of anything before maybe 10am, sometimes later, occasionally earlier (I'm up at around 6-ish) most days. In honesty, I don't pay it much thought. My first meal of the day is invariably high water content sweet fruit.
Nothing fancy. Zero preparation. But carefully chosen.
I don't make a pig of myself and am more concerned about keeping myself hydrated than topping up glycogen or whatever. I also prefer simple and the concept of mono-meals (a meal of one single fruit type) makes sense to me and is something I instinctively tend to do as a rule.
On occasion, I may grab a handful of organic carrots, even a cucumber, or sweet red pepper. Again, as long as it appeals to me, I don't think too much.
Sometimes I will have a green smoothie with piel de sapo (sweet Brazilian) melon as a base ... and then fresh basil, or parsley (or even nettles and dandelion) plus ginger. I find myself doing this infrequently as I am lazy. I may also use kale or baby spinach, once-a-week-ish.
I never count calories and never agonize about getting enough carbohydrates (or getting too many either). Not very scientific, but I've been doing this for a while.
Then later, I'll have more fruit and tons of greens. Again, high water content is more important to me than calories or macro-nutrients. Or even variety. I get variety when I make my selections at point of purchase. If it's fresh, seasonal, organic and appealing I am not shy.
(continued)
ReplyDeleteIf I am with other people I tend to just eat what's on offer without any fuss or anxiety. I don't hold myself to any standards of perfection and feel it's more important to be able to interact pleasantly with people and not make them conscious that my consumptions habits might be a little quirky in their book. It's less about me and more about them.
If I consume something I consider a burden, I don't go hog-wild and just get back to what I prefer when I can. My system is quite forgiving and I don't worry that much to be honest. I prefer foods that are gentle on my system, so always gravitate back to mostly raw plants.
If I have an attack of stress demons (which happens to us all I assume) I don't care what I consume. I'm a maniac just like the next person. Abusive food makes me feel blah anyway, so it's not hard to return to choices more forgiving. Blow-outs sure get me thinking though.
It does disturb me that I still punish myself with food ... but not so much I lose sleep over it.
When I am happy (most of the time) my diet is high water content, mostly fruit and tender greens ... and very little "burden" food (cooked animal or processed you-know-what).
I celebrate my imperfections and feel quite smug inside that I am not wreaking too much havoc with my choices, even if at times I do probably kid myself.
Re: Dr Mercola's commentary on B12 ... I respect his knowledge and contributions, but still feel that B12 is an issue of function, not diet or supplementation.
I am a fan of understanding the underlying cause, not coming up with clever treatments. I am well aware how serious B12 deficiency can be.I also am quick to concede that there are many people far more qualified than I who share Dr Mercola's views. But hey, they could all be wrong. Stranger things have happened. :)
I appreciate you sharing the article. I do subscribe to his newsletter, but rarely invest sufficient time to read it thoroughly. On occasion, an article will get my attention ... but all the advertising is a distraction.
I'm a fan of keeping it simple and continuing to think for myself, rather than looking for further evidence to consolidate my existing beliefs.
Betsy, as my sole commentator, I am brimming with appreciation and hope your weekend is nothing short of spectacular.
Take care.
Don
Hi Don,
ReplyDeleteDon thanks again for sharing some of your food intake with me. I also like to go with what works for my own body, and I think you can read it pretty well when your in relatively good health or just plain feeling good. I get information as well from many sources, and also believe in many things that Dr. Schulzes promotes which is a vegetarian diet and some things are opposite of Dr. Mercola. talk to you soon. because of you by the way, I started a blog finally and hope to have it up in the next day or so.
Hi Betsy
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful news! Please share the link when you feel comfortable and ready. Blogging can be a real catharsis at times, especially if you're like me ... and just love to write.
I agree with you that when you take care of yourself your awareness definitely increases. And the increase becomes exponential when your diet improves (less cooked, fractionated and processed foods).
I must admit that I don't troll the sites of health gurus like I used to. My favorite way of learning is by listening to podcasts. And, ironically, the podcasts I listen to are generally discussions or interviews with people who generally don't share my own views.
What I mean by this is that I quite clearly rate a plant-based/high-raw diet in combination with some other pretty simple principles.
If all I did was expose myself to similar views, my perspective would be pretty narrow. In effect, all I'd be doing would be to look for ways to consolidate my existing beliefs.
So I could feel better about myself ...
Instead, I immerse myself in areas way outside my comfort zone. This includes conventional nutrition (groan) and the paleo sphere (which I actually find extremely stimulating).
As a result I have learned so much and worked out so many of the pieces missing in my own perspective that I was not fully comfortable with.
Turns out, as Jimmy Moore (from the Living La Vida Low Carb show) so eloquently suggests "We are all on parallel paths". When I heard this it really resonated with me because of its undeniable truth and human element.
Now my focus is less on hunting for validation and more on trying to understand human nature.
I do have my favorite people that I tend to pay more attention to, but more because of a visceral response or because I just flat-out like them, than because of the view points they hold.
Sometimes I like what they say AND how they say it, but this is rare.
Okay Betsy, your comment made my day ... good luck with the new blog. I look forward to reading it. Just have fun with it. Everyone has so much we can contribute to the world and I am truly delighted that my little blog here helped inspire you to share some of your knowledge.
Have a wonderful week.
Don