With a family history of diabetes and a parent on dialysis, I was determined to take preventive measures to avoid such a fate. My children and I are especially at high risk for complications leading to diabetes and kidney disease. My physician warned me that within a year I may have diabetes. He strongly suggested I lose weight to be an example for my family. I weighed a good 185 pounds at the start of 2008. To motivate me he graciously handed me a 25-pound rice bag and said, "Try lose this much.". With great desire I was on my way, but one thing got in the way?lack of will power.
My doctor wanted to give me a jump start by prescribing medication?Meridia. I started off great. I lost 5 pounds in the first week . And continued on a winning track losing with pounds melting off?so I thought. The problem was eating or what the lack of eating did. I was advised to drink only water for breakfast, cut out all forms of carbohydrates as much as possible, and eat vegetables and protein for lunch and dinner. It was difficult to overeat with the medication since it curved my appetite. In fact overeating resulted in an overwhelming urge to gag accompanied by nausea throughout the rest of the day. Talk about negative feedback?it worked.
However, after weeks of restrictive caloric intake I noticed a problem with my digestive system. I couldn't move my bowels properly probably because there wasn't much food. Also, the mostly protein diet made going painful sometimes. My digestive movements were sluggish.
Another problem developed when I felt a need to take the drug to lift my mood. A feeling of pseudo elation resulted. I knew that if I just exercised my mood would get better naturally. But exercise was not emphasized and I was lazy, so I developed a dependency on the drug, moreover, the weight loss consisted mostly of muscle loss resulting in a weak and flabby body. It wasn't until I began working out more steadily that I began to feel and look stronger. Ultimately, it became clear that my body's ability to lose weight was dependent on my metabolism being fast forwarded on medication. Healthy? Short term, it seemed to be working, but in the long run problems arose.
I lost a total of 47 pounds in 4 months on Meridia. A great success on the outside, but my insides were not doing so well. After coming off Meridia my digestive system became so sluggish that I needed laxatives and I felt weak and depressed most days. I developed a dependency on the drug for strength physically and mentally. I was determined however to be drug-free. Although I took vitamin supplements it wasn't enough to get me going. Being a mother of 4, energy is a concept that's understated. After getting off the med I gained 8 to 10 pound fluctuations within the year. Friends and family who weaned off the medication faced similar problems and actually gained the weight back plus more. However, I was determined to lose and maintain my weight naturally?besides a pharmaceutical habit wasn't the example I wanted my kids to have to achieve health. So, a new direction on eating had to take place. I began researching for answers.
First, I had to deal with my eating habits to begin with. As an emotional eater I had to make new choices in how I deal with stress. I needed to limit exposure to any food that would lead me to binge on stressful days and substitute positive responses such as working out, dancing, singing, and playing with kids and our dog. Second, I needed to change my eating habits. It was clear that prolong fasting (restrictive caloric intake) wreaks havoc on the digestive system?an important immune system portal to protecting your body and keeping the flow of nutrients optimized.
The plan to eat properly and get my digestive system back in order was the new agenda. I ate when I was hungry and frequented meals in small portions. I incorporated a variety of fresh foods and ate vegan for some meals. I still carb fasted, once in a while especially when feeling a need to clean out?especially after a party or eating tons of junk?believe me there are those junk days. Third, I needed to get my metabolism moving by increasing muscle and exercising. I began strength training at least twice a week and exercising regularly for 3 to 5 days a week depending on my time. Being a busy mom I incorporated lots of play, stroller and park workouts.
My digestive system and metabolism began to heal naturally and by December 2009 (3 months after peaking at 150 pounds) I have lost 6 pounds and continue to do so. Although the weight lost was incremental (2 pounds a month or so) compared to when I was on Meridia (about 3 to 5 pounds a week), I felt healthier and stronger. I also noticed more lean muscle compared to my Meridia days.
There is no sure standard right way to losing weight quickly and permanently. Most of the time it only leads to dependency on unnatural means and only results in a temporary and superficial bandaging up to what's really going on inside. Most of the time it brings you backwards to where you started or even worse. With my experience, I needed to surrender my emotional attachment to food. A desire to surrender and begin healing inside had to come to order. I chose to take things in stride and not allow situations get the best of me. Once I determined how I was to deal with circumstances emotionally, I could focus on the physical part.
With the pandemic of obesity, diabetes and heart disease who is to say that medication induced weight loss cannot help. In desperation medication jump started me and quickly stopped my path towards diabetes. But prolong use stunted me at the same time by allowing me to be dependent on it. I had to decide to change to a different attitude towards food and a healthy lifestyle. Once I had set that foundation I was able to move towards my goal naturally and positively.
A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that moderate dietary restrictions rather than strict dietary restrictions help subjects lose and maintain weight on a long-term basis. So it doesn't hurt to have a pizza or ice cream once in a while as long as you eat in moderation and most of the time your diet includes a variety of highly nutritious foods. Preventive measures take one small step at a time. Don't wait until it's too late and drastic measures such as drug intervention seem the only way. Give yourself a chance to build a lifelong habit of health. You just don't know who you will inspire?especially if you have family.
quantum of solace heath ledger keith richards e! contact celebrity news brian jones
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