Summer and seasonal weather changes go hand in hand no matter where you live. Here in Florida – summer weather means hurricane season. However, life goes on.
DETOXIFICATION? Is it different from DIETING?
We all, at one time or another, have gotten caught in the Terrible Triangle of overeating, poor nutrition and dieting. It is important to know that detoxification and dieting mean a lifestyle change and commitment. Doing both will help a person to lose weight if that is their goal.
Let’s not call detoxing, dieting. Detoxification is the process of reducing the toxic properties of the poisonous substances we take into our system, or body, by what we eat. (See my earlier blog). Diet refers to ‘a way of living’ – the liquid and solid food substances regularly consumed in the course of normal living. Dieting is the regulated food allowance in the system. Or, in other words, eating foods specifically prepared for restrictive diets. Restrictive dieting is difficult for anyone who wants to lose weight, and stay fit.
In my last blog, you learned how to Detoxify. Detoxification and Dieting are two different things.
Today, I want to discuss DIETING. Dieting is thrust into our lives in many ways. You see programs on TV, hear programs on the Radio, see articles in Magazines and who can keep count of the subject in thousands of Books.
Diet can refer to: bland diet; calcium (high and low) diet; elimination diet; low-fat diet; feeding diet, fluid diet, liquid diet, roughage diet, salt-free diet, sippy diet; soft diet, gluten-free, and etc. There are diets for all of your ailments, to include: diabetes, for energy, for depression, for heart maintenance – you name it, someone, somewhere will dream up a diet to fix everything. Herein lies the danger – going along with the present day flow of dieting if ands and buts. Think, are they good for you, do they work, are they safe. I could write a book on dieting, but the world doesn’t need another ho-hum book on how to diet.
Use common sense – BE CAUTIOUS!
In SUMMARY: A diet should contain these basic elements of nutrition: water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, roughage, and vitamins. Simply put: Water – keeps the body hydrated and helps with the consumption of roughage, Carbohydrates are needed for energy and for the vitamins and minerals they carry, Protein builds muscles and repairs body tissue, Fat (the right kind) is needed for energy, for insulation and lubrication, and for various cellular functions involving fat-soluble vitamins, Roughage – is indigestible fiber of fruits, vegetables, and cereals which acts as a stimulant to aid intestinal peristalsis. What a person needs to do is find a sensible balance of these nutritional elements. I say sensible because diet hopping…trying this and that and whatever changes your metabolism and alters your body chemistry, makes you more likely to gain weight – as if you had never dieted, brings on illness, causes
dis-ease (disease) throughout the body and puts your health in jeopardy.
EXCERCISE
Exercise – is also a critical factor in weight control and good health. Muscular activity burns fat. Exercise also increases the lean body mass. Aerobic exercise is the most successful type of exercise in reaching and maintaining your goals. However, it is not for everyone. I find low impact aerobic exercise is better. Walking, jogging (if able), bicycling, swimming, hiking, and my preferences, Tai Chi and Yoga are all good ways to exercise – you don’t have to run out and sign up for all the FAD exercise methods on the market today. HOWEVER, in choosing instruction in any of these genre – do your research to find out what works best for you.
Keep in mind – ALWAYS, that Poor Nutrition is modern man’s luxury. We are what we eat. Look in the mirror – do you like what you see? If losing weight is your goal, put your effort into the following steps:
1) check with your doctor.
2) Begin a regular exercise program.
3) Adjust your diet by reducing the amount of fats and sugars that you eat.
4) Plan your meals to include lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, eating no red meats (beef, pork, lamb) – but instead eat white meats (chicken, turkey, fish), however – sparingly.
5) Finally be patient. Permanent weight loss can be a slow process…as was the weight gain.
As a normal healthy individual – to stay healthy, AVOID THE TERRIBLE TRIANGLE of overeating, poor nutrition, and – at this point, Improper Dieting.
STAY SAFE – EAT WISELY – CHOOSE EXERCISE WISELY, and GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!
FYI-HEALTH TALK 