If you want to spark a debate among friends, bring up the subject of healthy eating. There's so much contradictory information out there about what constitutes healthy eating, you're bound to touch a nerve. My own experience with healthy eating is perhaps a little counter-intuitive, but my results have been very positive. This whole subject in fact came about from a recent conversation I had with a client during her Mortgage Check-up & Review.
During my meeting with Laura, we got talking about the subject of diet and health; Laura told me that she had been dealing with a myriad of health issues, such as migraine headaches, bronchitis, and chronic fatigue, as well as high cholesterol, for years. She thought that some of these issues were caused by the stress of a major relocation. Then she met someone who suggested that she modify her diet to limit processed foods such as white bread, flour based foods, white rice, etc., and eat more protein like chicken, meat, and eggs, along with whole grains. Her results were life changing - her cholesterol dropped by 70 points, she lost weight, seldom gets bronchitis or migraines, has more energy, and feels more in control of her overall health. All of this from a modification of her eating habits!
Several years ago, I had a similar experience with my diet and health issues. Like so many people, I had been gradually gaining weight over a number of years until one day I realized that I was about 50 pounds overweight! In addition, I was chronically tired, often struggling to stay awake while driving home at the end of the workday. I also had some chronic health issues that I had just grown accustomed to, most notably, waking up every morning with a headache, and going to bed every night with a headache.
In February of 2003, I decided to make a change, and switched to a low carbohydrate lifestyle, which meant eliminating processed carbohydrates like white bread, sugars, etc., and moving toward a diet rich in protein and fats. After just three weeks, I noticed that my chronic headaches had disappeared, and I no longer had to fight "nodding off" while driving home from work. In fact, I had a lot more energy during the day, and I was less "moody". Ultimately, I lost 50 pounds! Today, I still maintain a low carb lifestyle, although I probably indulge a little more than I should. But like Laura, I can tell when I'm overdoing it, as my headaches return, and I have less energy.
If you're dealing with some chronic health issues, or generally feel tired, stressed, or moody, consider modifying your diet. Eliminate foods high in carbohydrates and processed sugars and replace them with foods like whole grains, fiber rich vegetables, meats, and proteins. (High carbohydrate foods and foods high in sugar play havoc with your production of insulin, causing your blood sugar to spike, and then crash, which in turn can cause mood swings, hunger attacks, binging, fatigue, and headaches.) Reduce your caffeine intake, and don't sweat it if you add some fat to your diet. Drink plenty of water. At the beginning, start an eating journal, and list the various health issues you're currently experiencing, along with your weight, and general mood and energy level.
Then modify your eating habits for the next 21 days, keeping complete, detailed notes about what you ate, and when. After 21 days, go back to the beginning of your journal, and compare how you felt then with how you feel now. That was the key for me, because although it was certainly painful for me to give up so much of what I liked to eat, I liked feeling better even more.
Naturally, before doing any major modification to your eating habits consult your physician first. And if you have any success stories to share, I'd love to hear it - just drop me an email to doncarter@myallstarmortgage.com.
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