The Schizophrenic Diet
I have tried sssooo many diets sometimes my head spins. Low calorie diets, the hot dog and boiled egg diet, the belly fat diet… you name it and I have tried it.
So, I finally found a diet that works – or so I thought. I tried one of the popular no-carb, low-carb options, and lost 33 pounds. I was so very proud of myself. When I went to the doctor I bragged about it, until my blood work came back. Seems I lost 33 pounds, and gained 40 points on my bad cholesterol! How could this happen? I was eating healthier than I have in years, and the scale proves it. I cried. Then I called the doctor and cried again. “Now Lori,” she said, “it could be genetic.” Even that didn’t comfort me much. My cholesterol is still high, and I now have to change my diet, yet again, from something that works to something unknown. I am Lutheran. We don’t like the unknown. We tell God that all the time.
Low fat was recommended. After a consultation with a dietician, I was armed with the information that I needed to cut the fat from my diet. So, being a bookkeeper, I did the only thing that I know how to do – I made a spreadsheet. I have columns for carbohydrates (out of habit), calories, fat, and one to automatically calculate the percentage of fat from calories, then subtract my exercise for the day, leaving me with a net calorie total at the end of the day. Once I set it up, I never have to think about it again. I also made macros for the food counts of my favorite foods. Now all I have to do is enter things like:
1 tomato
½ chicken breast
2 tsp ketchup, etc.
and the spreadsheet does the rest. I’m still not happy about it, but am willing to give it a try for my health.
Now I know my body is a temple, and that we are to avoid things that will hurt us (I now put blood tests in this category). I wonder what Biblical times people did to lose weight. The federal government says that low fat is the best. What does the Bible say. Then I found it:
Genesis 4:4
‘But Abel brought the fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering.”
We are supposed to give the fat to God, and He is happy. This is mentioned multiple times in the old testament. We are not to eat the fat, but save it for our offerings. Could it be that the federal government is right, and that fat free is the best way to go? I don’t know if I will go that far, but I am willing to try it and see what works.
Stay tuned…
Enjoy!
Lori Sinclair
Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."
http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, Yahoo, or Twitter.
Bionote: Lori is the author of three business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The D-Word
The D-word
Diet (di -at) offensive n. - to Die In Eternal Torment; the act of deprivation and loss of the senses resulting in depression, anxiety, extreme hunger pangs, loss of energy, mental focus, and all other sensory perception.
This is how most people eventually feel when they go on the dreaded diet. The word alone evokes such emotion and resistance, that many cannot even bear to utter the word, relegating it to the list of foul and offensive four letter words that are never uttered in public by decent folk. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Deprivation In Eating Things does not have to be our definition for this very common life problem. Being overweight may not necessarily be your fault. There is some new medical research that suggests certain cases of obesity are to some degree caused by either a gene or hormonal imbalance, however there is nothing conclusive yet. Certainly some medical causes are proven such as blood sugar imbalance, diabetes, and thyroid conditions. Other cases are either behavioral or environmental. The one thing is certain, we all have to live with the effects, no matter the cause.
Being overweight is every bit a national health problem as smoking or drug abuse. The healthcare dollars that are spent each year to treat obesity related problems are staggering. We all know that carrying around extra weight is unhealthy, but what can we do?
First, learn to keep positive. Any lifestyle change will require an open mind and an open heart. Attitude is the key to everything in life. Over and over again in the Bible we are advised to “be of good cheer.” Most problems are easier to overcome with a good attitude and healthy frame of mind.
Second, be prepared. Losing weight is not easy. It will require both time and effort. We need to make time to read and learn, to prepare healthy foods, shop and to read labels, understand what we are eating, menu planning, and exercising, just to name a few things. But, in the long run will it be worth it?
Yes. Anything worth having is worth working for. Our health is worth it. If we are worth dying for, then we are worth living for. And, as you begin to exercise and shed some of those unwanted pounds, an amazing thing will happen. You will feel better, sleep better, have more energy, be less fatigued, be able to see and think more clearly, and see the world in a whole new light. It will seem as though there are extra hours in the day as you are able to see and do more. How many times have we all prayed for more time? Well, this could possibly be your answer.
Two things I have learned in my life: 1. There is nothing so small that God does not want to hear it. If it is important to you, it is important to Him, and 2. Give God the problems, not the solutions. If we give Him all of the answers telling Him how to fix our problems, we remove from the solution the miracles that He may have in store for us. Tell Him what’s on your heart and let Him take care of the rest.
I no longer diet. In my life DIET now means Divine Intervention Equals Triumph. Join me on my journey of weight loss and healthy living. Let’s do this D-word together, you, me, and God, and see where this road called life leads us.
One of my favorite recipes for sweets comes from Michael Chiarrello of the Food Network. This is an adaptation of his Chocolate-Orange Brown Butter Popcorn.
Chocolate/Orange Popcorn
3 Cups fresh, hot popped popcorn
1 oz. Bittersweet chocolate
zest from one orange
salt
When the popcorn is still hot (preferably from an air popper) shave the chocolate over the top, allowing it to cover the entire bowl. The heat from the popcorn should melt the chocolate. Stir the bowl slightly to cover all popcorn completely. (If the chocolate does not begin to melt and stick to the popcorn, place it in a 350 degree oven for several minutes - just enough to soften the chocolate and make it stick.) Sprinkle the orange zest over the top and lightly salt.
This is a delicious, light snack that will satisfy your craving for a sweet dessert without blowing your D-word.
Enjoy!
Lori
Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."
http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, or Twitter.
Bionote: Lori is the author of two business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.
Diet (di -at) offensive n. - to Die In Eternal Torment; the act of deprivation and loss of the senses resulting in depression, anxiety, extreme hunger pangs, loss of energy, mental focus, and all other sensory perception.
This is how most people eventually feel when they go on the dreaded diet. The word alone evokes such emotion and resistance, that many cannot even bear to utter the word, relegating it to the list of foul and offensive four letter words that are never uttered in public by decent folk. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Deprivation In Eating Things does not have to be our definition for this very common life problem. Being overweight may not necessarily be your fault. There is some new medical research that suggests certain cases of obesity are to some degree caused by either a gene or hormonal imbalance, however there is nothing conclusive yet. Certainly some medical causes are proven such as blood sugar imbalance, diabetes, and thyroid conditions. Other cases are either behavioral or environmental. The one thing is certain, we all have to live with the effects, no matter the cause.
Being overweight is every bit a national health problem as smoking or drug abuse. The healthcare dollars that are spent each year to treat obesity related problems are staggering. We all know that carrying around extra weight is unhealthy, but what can we do?
First, learn to keep positive. Any lifestyle change will require an open mind and an open heart. Attitude is the key to everything in life. Over and over again in the Bible we are advised to “be of good cheer.” Most problems are easier to overcome with a good attitude and healthy frame of mind.
Second, be prepared. Losing weight is not easy. It will require both time and effort. We need to make time to read and learn, to prepare healthy foods, shop and to read labels, understand what we are eating, menu planning, and exercising, just to name a few things. But, in the long run will it be worth it?
Yes. Anything worth having is worth working for. Our health is worth it. If we are worth dying for, then we are worth living for. And, as you begin to exercise and shed some of those unwanted pounds, an amazing thing will happen. You will feel better, sleep better, have more energy, be less fatigued, be able to see and think more clearly, and see the world in a whole new light. It will seem as though there are extra hours in the day as you are able to see and do more. How many times have we all prayed for more time? Well, this could possibly be your answer.
Two things I have learned in my life: 1. There is nothing so small that God does not want to hear it. If it is important to you, it is important to Him, and 2. Give God the problems, not the solutions. If we give Him all of the answers telling Him how to fix our problems, we remove from the solution the miracles that He may have in store for us. Tell Him what’s on your heart and let Him take care of the rest.
I no longer diet. In my life DIET now means Divine Intervention Equals Triumph. Join me on my journey of weight loss and healthy living. Let’s do this D-word together, you, me, and God, and see where this road called life leads us.
One of my favorite recipes for sweets comes from Michael Chiarrello of the Food Network. This is an adaptation of his Chocolate-Orange Brown Butter Popcorn.
Chocolate/Orange Popcorn
3 Cups fresh, hot popped popcorn
1 oz. Bittersweet chocolate
zest from one orange
salt
When the popcorn is still hot (preferably from an air popper) shave the chocolate over the top, allowing it to cover the entire bowl. The heat from the popcorn should melt the chocolate. Stir the bowl slightly to cover all popcorn completely. (If the chocolate does not begin to melt and stick to the popcorn, place it in a 350 degree oven for several minutes - just enough to soften the chocolate and make it stick.) Sprinkle the orange zest over the top and lightly salt.
This is a delicious, light snack that will satisfy your craving for a sweet dessert without blowing your D-word.
Enjoy!
Lori
Psalm 23:6 "...my cup overflows."
http://www.sinclairinkspot.com/
You can find me on my web site, Facebook, MySpace, Classmates, Shoutlife, or Twitter.
Bionote: Lori is the author of two business books, numerous church skits, and several articles. She lives in Sacramento with her two children, two dogs, and cat. She loves to hear from her readers, so please email your thoughts and questions.
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