Addictions and Labels

Is Obesity an Addiction? Is Obesity a Label?

Hmmm . . . I'm not sure. In my experience, the things that lead to my obesity have been addictive. The wrong kinds of food, the lack/fear of exercise, the emotional solution to eat rather than deal with problems, etc. But is it my label?

I certainly hope not. I hope that I am more than just a Fat Person. Because aren't we all more than just one characteristic? Don't we all have many characteristics that define us and the certain group of characteristics that define each person is different from the next. Isn't that what makes us have certain things in common while we also have differences that make us unique?

Okay, so if one of my characteristics is that I am obese from years of poor eating habits, poor exercise habits, etc. Then my other characteristics might include: musical, dramatic, fiction addict, etc. Why do I let one characteristic speak louder than the others?

Or is it that I feel others are saying I'm fat and rather than let them hurt me, I just admit it and defuse the pain? Does that make sense? Do you find yourself doing that?

The truth is, I don't want to be obese or unhealthy, but the factors that led to these life circumstances are still present in my life and I have not yet found the power to combat them.

The truth is, I am much more than just a fat person, but unless someone can look beyond the body image, they will not see the other great characteristics.

Thankfully, God sees the truth: Isaiah 55:1-2 "Come, all who are thirsty, come to the waters . . . Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

Today, may we cast off the false labels, rid ourselves of our unhealthy addictions, and bask in the love of our Lord!

Getting Outside

Well, Spring is starting to arrive. With it comes wonderful outside weather. I had so much fun playing in the yard yesterday with my kids. It was 63 degrees outside, the sun was shining though a bit overcast, there was a gentle breeze and I could smell someone down the street was grilling. Fabulous outside day!

So with nice weather comes a desire to exercise. And perhaps plant a garden of fresh produce.

Did you know that playing with kids can be exhausting? Thus, it must also be exercise, right? Well, maybe not quite everything exhausting is exercise. But in this case, if the exhaustion comes from physical exertion, then yes it is exercise and therefore it is good. So I need to play outside more with my kids.

And did you know that gardening can be exercise too? Yep, shoveling, hoeing, bending to weed, etc, all can be considered exercise. So there is another reason to be outside and exercise.

I certainly hope we have a beautiful spring and many opportunities to get outside!

Diabetes

Well, with the possibility that I have diabetes and the fact that I don't have health insurance, I have been searching for alternate techniques of treatment. I did a number of online searches about diabetes and have discovered a few key things.

• Diabetes is very much dependent upon lifestyle choices.
• With healthy eating, regular exercise, and other healthy living habits, diabetes can be controlled and even reversed.
• Cinnamon is a natural item that acts in the body like insulin.
• Cayenne Fruit/Pepper can also help Diabetes (though I need to be careful with it since I also have GERD.)
• I will still need to be tested and have regular Dr. appointments.
• But I am learning as much as I can about what I can do to reverse this condition.

My trouble currently is: I have been trying to lose weight and become healthy for months actually years. So I am very concerned that I will not be able to make changes to my life to reverse this disease for the very same reasons I have been unable to lose weight in the past. But, maybe I am just being fearful. I guess time will tell.

Recent Healthy Activities

Well, I am sorry I haven't posted in a while. It has been to long.

My journey towards healthy is taking crazy twists and turns. We have discovered that Gluten free living is not working for our family. For one thing, it is expensive. But also, we have not been able to get away from gluten, it seems to be everywhere. Even foods that are supposed to be gluten free have thickener or some additive that has gluten. So unless the label says "gluten free" it is very likely to contain some gluten. And once the label says "gluten free" the price goes up high, unless you can live off of Chex cereal. Good luck to people making gluten free work, I am certainly proud of you!

Actually, another factor went into us giving up on gluten free living. There is a possibility that I have Diabetes type 2. Now in all truth, living gluten free may help in a diabetes menu, since everything is made fresh and has less additives, etc. But, at this time, we need to focus on getting my healthy situation understood and work toward pure healthy living.

So, I am searching for exercise activities that work for our family (cheap, effective, kid friendly, and fun, etc.) I am also looking forward to spring and summer with produce costs going down and perhaps growing a garden. I continue to research natural healing resources and true health, including healthy foods and activities, etc.

I will continue to post things as I come across them and as I continue on this journey. If you have any questions or blog topic suggestions, I would be happy to oblige. Have a great day!