Baby Steps

I have begun a practice of Serious Sunday, when I write of social issues or family issues or world issues. I am now beginning a day of the week to write about health topics; weight loss, diet, exercise, general wellness. Since there is not a day of the week that begins with ‘H’ I am going with the closest cousin, Thursday. Welcome to the first Healthy Thursday post.

On our recent drive to New Haven, Connecticut, my husband and I decided to get some reading in with an audio book. Being a physician, he is interested in the most recent updates about anything medical, as am I. The book he chose is The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale E. Bredesen, M.D.

Dr. Bredesen believes that we are affected by three major factors: Inflammation, nutrients and toxins. I will write more on this in the future.

Inflammation is your body’s response to attack, whether from infection or noninfectious stresses. One of those is from what we eat. For today, I will simply encourage you to watch your intake of trans fats; the artificial fats found in baked goods and fast foods, and sugar.

I know you know that abstention from these things is the better choice for weight loss and health. However, I did not know the connection to the assault on the brain. Though when I hear it explained, it makes sense.

I could easily be a junk food junkie. Not in the area of fast food cheeseburgers and fries, though they certainly have appeal. Mine is more in the area of Hostess Ding Dongs and white chocolate covered Oreos, Crispy Taco flavored, Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese flavored and Southern Biscuits and Gravy flavored potato chips. Good Lord.

You know the old saying: “Once on the lips, forever on the hips”. That thought fits here as well. Though if you have been consuming these things regularly, that concept may fit more snugly than you like.

I also know about comfort food. I know it is completely lovely to sit down with a bag of dill pickle potato chips and a cold root beer. Or to snuggle in on the couch with a box of cookies and three glasses of cold milk. However, as my piano teacher used to say “Begin with the end in mind”, meaning always be looking ahead to the next set of notes.

We must challenge ourselves to think about what we are doing. Is the future worth compromising in order to comfort ourselves for brief moments?

I wish I had been better disciplined about this when I was younger. I also wish I had been better disciplined about sunscreen and moisturizers and bible reading. But we cannot go back. We can, however, go forward, at least this day.

The next time you consider eating four donuts with a pint of sugary chocolate milk (I’ve done that), count to 10 (slowly) and look ahead. You may fail that test. We all do. But at least you are beginning to think about choices. And if you passed that test, good for you! Take that time and energy to call your mother. Or write a quick note to a friend who is going through tough times. (Thank you dear Sandy for your recent note.) Or begin to jot down your feelings in a journal. It is good for the soul, and the waistline.

And if you have just pulled yourself up off of the couch to get another cold soda to finish off the bacon/cheddar potato chips, that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. You are normal. Next time, try making a better choice. Baby steps. Baby steps for non-babies. Yep.