I don't know. Maybe I need to not talk to anyone with whom I have not lived. Maybe I just have that kind of personality that rubs people the wrong way, and they have to live with me, hate me and love me to actually become my friend. Most of my good friends are former roommates. I have had a hard time making close friends since moving to Sudbury. Maybe I am just in the wrong city.
I know I have strong opinions about things, and I also know my opinions might be different from other people around me. However, just because I have a different opinion to you does not mean I look down on you, or think that I am better than you. I am sorry if I come across as arrogant. I really do not mean to. It is just that when I hear people say things, or I see people doing things that I think are...let's say silly (because "stupid" would be a mean way of describing it), I have a very difficult time biting my tongue.
Today, for instance, a woman was describing how she has managed to lose a significant amount of weight. I am glad she has been able to lose weight, and has taken measures to a healthier lifestyle. Her regime includes four shakes a day and one real meal. Her husband is also following this special diet. She commented that they are saving money on groceries because they only buy food for their children and dinner food. The shakes only cost $80 for a three weeks supply.
I am not sure whether this diet was prescribed by her doctor or if this is the only way she has been able to take off the weight. However, from what I have heard, and from what I know, you need to have a lifestyle change to improve your health. Maybe the shakes are a strategy that works for now, but it cannot be a good way to live, nor a long term solution. How is this a good model for your children, to be only eating one meal a day? I hate to say it, but the problem probably started because this person was not able to make wholesome food choices. At some point, this family is going to have to learn how to eat wholesome meals, and how to portion control.
What stunned me, was that other women, of healthy body weights, were asking about these shakes, and commenting on how this would be a good way to cut their grocery bills. Seriously? So, in order to save money, you are going to forgo eating real food and drink vanilla and chocolate shakes for breakfast and lunch. Why don't you just eat at McDonald's every day? You can get a bunch of food for cheap there. All that junk food in the grocery store is a lot cheaper than the fruits and vegetables you should be eating. How enjoyable would your life be, only drinking shakes?
I know I am lucky to have never really dealt with weight issues. I was at my heaviest when I was pregnant with my children. I gained over 40lbs during both my pregnancies, which is considered a lot. I was also able to drop all of the weight, and return to my pre-pregnancy weight within the year. I have always been a relatively active person, especially in the summers.
During university, I would swim regularly and when I moved off campus, I added biking to school as another activity. I am not skinny, but I have a healthy BMI, and I generally do not have to worry about what I eat. I do not forgo dessert if it is offered to me. I might choose not to eat it sometimes, but if I am feeling like eating some cake, or ice cream, I will help myself. I just do not eat large quantities of food. Quality, usually, over quantity.
I love food. I love cooking, and baking, and creating meals people will enjoy eating. I find so many people nowadays are obsessed with food, but in a bad way. Food is often looked at as evil. Food is what made me fat. Food is fuel, and nothing more. Food should not be a part of social gatherings.
Really? Is food that bad? People need to learn how to balance calories in versus calories out. They also need to learn how to cook. They need to learn how to eat real foods again, and to prepare real, tasty, wholesome foods. Food is not the enemy. Yes, there is a lot of unwholesome stuff out there, but you need to learn what is good for you. It is not that difficult. Avoid boxed and packaged food. Buy real food. Buy stuff that grows. Stick to the peripheries of the grocery store and cook your own meals. Teach your children how to cook.
I can't get away with chastising people for going on fad diets or quick fixes because I am not famous like Jamie Oliver. I know a lot of people hate him too when he tried/tries to introduce healthy lifestyle changes. Still, he can get away with it. Go to his website if you don't agree with me. Check out his recipes. Just inform yourself. If you are concerned about your health, you need to work at keeping yourself healthy. Nothing comes easy.
Find something you enjoy doing to keep yourself active. Go for walks with your family. Have bike rides in the evening. Join a Zumba or Bollywood class. Learn what foods are good for you. You should spend money on food. It goes into your body. Movies, clothes and other material possessions, things we seem to have no issue paying for, usually do not affect our health as much.
Jamie Oliver is by far my biggest hero.
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