I remember when I was a girl, I scoured every beauty magazine I got my hands on, soaking in the beautiful clothes, makeup and perfume, while at the same time I was envious of the girls and their bodies. I so longed to be like the girls I saw plastered all over the television, movies and in magazines.
Organic Grapes photo courtesy sxc.hu
I can’t speak for other parts of the world, but America has really screwed up generations of girls, just like myself. While I am now a woman, the little girl inside of me is still there. I would dare to say that this is true of most women in this world.
I battled for years with the desire to be “skinny” and the search for the next diet, exercise, pill or liquid fast that would get me there, and suffice it to say that nothing worked. Nothing.
I’m not alone. Millions of women have the same problem as I, so it can’t simply be willpower, can it? Sure, willpower gets your butt in gear and on the move, but there is something more to it. And no, it’s not a wish to simply avoid my contributions to the problem, not at all.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “in 2007-2008, the prevalence of obesity was 32.2% among adult men and 35.5% among adult women.” This means that, combined, over 60% of adults are obese in America! Yowza!
Recent obesity research has found that it doesn’t matter what “diet” you follow to reach your goal weight, what is required is that energy expenditure (i.e. exercise, movement, etc.) exceeds energy input (gulping down that Big Mac!)
Some of the common attributes of those who have maintained their weight loss are:
- Monitoring themselves by weighing in at least every week
- Exercising one hour every day (I don’t remember the intensity required)
That’s kind of depressing, isn’t it? Well, it is if you don’t choose to make a lifestyle change rather than going on and off a “diet.” But if you decide to learn how to eat differently and become more active, it will seem as natural to you as your existing diet is now.
In a previous post I discussed what high fructose corn syrup does to your body. Not only does it “go straight to your hips,” it also leaves you nutrient starved. Your body is in a struggle for it’s life, and the only thing it knows to do when it’s starved for nutrients is to send a signal to your brain to “feed me!” And as you can see, we do feed it! Eating a nutrient dense variety of foods then, by it’s very nature would allow you to consume fewer calories yet feel completely satisfied.
I love to eat. Period. If you do as well, then we’ve got a choice to make. Either we do what’s required of us and make the changes, or we continue on the path we’re on and slowly make our way to a miserable ending that could have possibly been avoided.
After scouring throughout the known universe (tee-hee) and searching out my own conscience, I determined that I would follow the Eat to Live plan set out by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. This is a vegetarian/vegan way of eating that speaks to me. I had no problem at all quitting the animal products. None. What is hard, however, is limiting the grains to one serving per day. I love my bread! Another issue that I’ve got to get hold of is caffeine and salt. I love both of them, and Fuhrman’s plan requires letting both of them go. Ouch!
Dr. Fuhrman sets out a six week challenge that is intense, and states that you could lose up to 25 pounds in about six weeks time. I like that idea! LOL After the challenge, the eating restrictions (and weight loss) are loosened up a bit, but still mostly vegetarian. Not everyone can go completely vegetarian or vegan, but if you limit your meat consumption (after the six week challenge) you can still derive benefits from this plant based (nutrient dense) way of eating.
If you decide to follow this plan you can expect that the more lousy your existing diet, the more lousy you will fill for up to two weeks. If you do, then remember this is a good thing! That means your body is doing a good job ridding itself of the toxins within it’s cells.
You don’t have to go it alone, though. There are many online communities dedicated to this way of living. Some good ones are:
and
If you are currently part of an online community, check with them, I’ll bet at least one person is either eating this way, or know where you can find more information about it! As the French are fond of saying…”Bon appetit!”
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