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I know of no simple, easy answer for this, but let's
talk about it some from the alternative perspective.
Being overweight is one of the most disturbing issues
in many of our lives. It is a painful daily reminder
of our unhappiness with ourselves and our sense of
futility in our ability to change.
Let's look at the basics and talk about some practical
recommendations.
The World is facing a major health crisis, and I'm
not talking about AIDS or cancer. The reality is that
the national level of obesity throughout the world.
has doubled in just 20 years, and it doesn't seem to
be slowing down much. Billions of dollars are spent
every year on weight-loss programs and products, but
98% of them are absolutely useless. Some of them are
even harmful or dangerous. The problem is that health
experts don't really know exactly what things are causing
this rampant increase in obesity, and, more importantly,
how to treat it effectively.
The National Academy of Sciences has declared that
most of us at all ages do not get enough vitamin A
from our diets, even if our diets follow the best national
standards. The scientists recommended that we supplement
our diets with vitamin A, but that we get no more than
three milligrams a day.
What does this mean?
It may mean that our food just doesn't nourish us anymore.
The massive commercial agribusiness operations may
be feeding us washed-out food that doesn't really feed
us inside. Soil depletion and mass processing can leave
food lacking in nutrients. It may mean that even if
we eat a decent diet, our bodies will still be hungry
for basic nutrients that we are not getting. We could
be hungry much of the time for this reason.
You see, it's not just about getting calories. I know
lots of people who think that they can cut calories
and do an effective weight-loss program by just eating
a Pop-Tart every morning. Though it's true that a Pop-Tart
doesn't really have many calories, it certainly doesn't
have much in it that actually feeds your body. The
empty calories without much nutritive value will leave
you starving by midday.
So I recommend that patients eat the best quality food
they can possibly find. It doesn't have to be organically
grown, but that certainly doesn't hurt. It's mostly
about getting food that really feels as if it is feeding
you, that doesn't leave you feeling hungry after a
couple of hours. I think it is possible to find these
foods and to focus on them for your basic diet. And
there's no evidence that shakes and supplements can
do this as well as old-fashioned high quality food.
People get lots of different advice about what to eat,
and it's not good enough for experts to say that no
one diet is right for everyone. The best guide that
I know for eating a healthy diet is to know how to
select food for nutritive value and how to eat a diet
that has the best chance of protecting you from the
big killers like cancer and heart disease.
The other point I need to make here is about the psychology
of food. I know you've probably heard this song and
dance before, but many of us have never really listened
to the tune for ourselves. Food has huge emotional
meaning in our lives, and it's a mistake to neglect
this fact.
We don't have to smoke cigarettes, we are not forced
to drink alcohol, and we can live very well without
ever using recreational drugs -- but we all have to
eat. Eating is not optional. So whatever emotional
issues, addictive tendencies, neediness, anxiety, depression,
sense of emptiness or unacceptability that we have
will get layered onto this basic physical requirement.
And this has everything to do with alternative supliments.
The powerful mind/body techniques that are utilized
in alternative therapies can have a real effect on
our cravings and desires. Relaxation techniques, meditation,
yoga, imagery, hypnosis, and biofeedback all have the
potential to help curb cravings and ease the feelings
that drive you to the refrigerator. Peoples use breathing
techniques and imagery to help them with weight loss.
Some get acupuncture. Many of them say it makes a big
difference. But doe's it really
The great psychologist told us that whatever replaces
or cures the neurosis must be more convincing or compelling
than the neurosis itself. He felt that some form of
spiritual transformation was necessary in healing emotions
and behavior. For many people who find emotional comfort
in food, finding a spiritual practice like meditation,
yoga, or prayer can represent a powerful replacement
for the unnecessary food.
It's just something to think about.
Of course this is not the whole answer to the problem.
But if either of these shoes seems to fit on your foot,
you might want to consider making some changes. For
most people with a weight problem, whatever they are
doing is not working, so something's got to change.
As for weight-loss diets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) sponsored a meeting in Washington, in February
2000 where all of the major diet gurus squabbled
with each other. You may have heard about this on the
news. There was no agreement between the experts, so
obviously we need much more research to determine what
really works. many companies study weight-loss diets
to see what works. Some of these diets, like the high
fat and protein, no carbohydrate Atkins diet, may harm
you in the long run.
So in the meantime, stick with healthy whole foods,
portion control, lots of aerobic exercise, and mind/body
techniques to curb your cravings. If you still have
a few extra pounds after you're doing all of this,
then maybe that's not the worst thing in the world.
Please note we are not board-certified medical doctor,
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