Thursday, May 9, 2013

My 2 Cents

Diatribe is defined as a prolonged conversation on a particular subject.  So, in naming this new blogspot, I found it appropriate to use Dietribe since it will be a prolonged discussion on the who, what, when, where, why, and how people diet.

Several years ago, a diet program popped up called "Liveit," which is how we should view our nutritional lifestyle.  We need to eat to live, not live to eat.

When one hears diet, we automatically think, "going on a diet to loose weight."  When, in actuality, a diet is the way we nourish our body.  We can have poor dieting habits which deprive our bodies of proper nutrients or good dieting habits which nourish our bodies.  However, bad or good dieting habits can cause weight gain, or weight loss. 

Our bodies are machines designed much like automobiles.  We need fuel and maintenance to run at peak proficiency.  Fuel is the foods we take in, and maintenance is the exercise we exert.  Just like a car, our poorly maintained bodies won't last very long, yet, we can't shop for a new body like we can shop for a new car.

Sadly, I've not maintained my body as I should have, as I've gone through my life in a yo-yo of sorts with exercise and good nutritional habits, then bad ones.  And, as many of you, wish I could go back and start my life over making better choices regarding my lifestyle.

Too, I see so many friends, and relatives who struggle with weight loss and self-image, and it seems to be the sole focus of their lives.  Every waking moment is focused on what they eat, how much they exercise, what the scales say.  It's an obsession. No wonder their lives don't improve, the "diet" consumes their mind. 

I have had to step back and ask myself, "why do you eat?"  Am I upset? Am I bored? Am I hungry, or just have an appetite for something?  

Fortunately, it was discovered I was insulin-resistant, which meant I have a predisposition to diabetes.  Taking metformin has helped tremendously.  It also reduces my cravings.  Many people with weight problems have insulin resistancy.  

Insulin resistancy is the body's inability to properly use insulin.  This can cause weight gain, and increased appetite.  Stay tuned to future blogs regarding insulin resistancy.

Stomach surgery is on the rise, but often times proves unsuccessful because the mind is such a huge part of why we eat.  And, until the causes of appetite are addressed, these surgeries don't heal this illness.

Yes, over eating is an illness just like alcoholism.  It's an addiction!  And, I feel, it's the hardest addiction to over come because food isn't something we can just quit doing, like cigarettes, alcohol, or pornography.  You HAVE to eat to live, so managing that addiction is difficult.

Other topics are just flooding my mind, like self-esteem, finding clothes that fit, and other topics associated with dieting, or living!

I do hope you continue to follow "My Dietribe" and add your comments so we can help each other improve our minds, bodies, and spirits!  




No comments:

Post a Comment