One of the things April and I have begun doing together recently is a common diet. For the past few years she has been a fan of the low-carbohydrate nutritional approach. I have only done the low-carb diet once, and that was three years ago. I remember that I really liked it, and for a number of different reasons:
1. It helps me accomplish my goals. I remember that in January of 2003, which was when I first began the low-carb diet, I was 220 lbs and about 25% body fat. My supposed "ideal" weight for a 5'10, 31-year old man was 170lbs and less than 17% body fat. I set a goal to get under both of those, and within about 6 months I has accomplished both goals. By July I was weighing 170 and my body fat % was at 13.
Today I weigh 195 lbs and my body fat is 20%. That has increased from 3 years ago, not because of any fault of low-carb dieting, but because of laziness and poor nutritional decisions on my part.
2. I love the "satisfaction" that low-carb nutrition brings. After the first couple of weeks (admittedly, those are the toughest days) it is amazing how few cravings and hunger pangs there are. I never realized just how "empty" simple carbohydrate foods are and how they induce more desire for eating even more of them and more regularly, until I cut them from my regular diet. The fact is, it is possible to live life and not have overwhelming desires for brownies and potato chips.
The reason this is such a good point is because most people do not get enough protein or enough green vegetables, which provide plenty of complex carbohydrates, in there normal diet anyway. While doing low-carb nutrition you definitely get plenty of both.
3. I love the discipline it requires of me. Of all of my points, this is probably the greatest reason of them all for why I enjoy this diet. I know, it sounds a little strange. But here is how it works. God has created us all with a holistic purpose. We are not just physical beings, nor are we merely emotional or spiritual beings. We are all of the above. All of the above work together for maximum health of our beings. And we are to glorify Him in all of the above (that is the one that stings a little). Unfortunately, many people sacrifice one for the other. I, for several years, sacrificed my physical health for spiritual pursuit. I do not believe God was pleased about that. He created us in physical bodies, and I believe these bodies deserve some attention from us as long as we are still living in them.
But here's the funny thing about how these things all work together, at least in my life. Whenever I am lazy or neglectful of my physical being, I can always feel the effects of that neglect in my spiritual, intellectual, and emotional being. Conversely, whenever I am mindful or working on my physical being, it always has a positive effect on my spiritual, emotional, and intellectual being as well. One part spills over to the others, causing better health to the entire person. For instance, when I have disciplined myself to "say no" to certain foods, I find that it makes it easier to say no to temptations in other areas as well. In that respect, I love the discipline it requires of me.
4. I love talking with people about the healthy aspects of the low-carb diet, and debunking the myths that surround it. This is probably the debating side of my personality revealing itself. Many people still feel that anyone who follows a low-carb nutritional approach to dieting is on fast-forward to heart-attack hell. Simply not true. Rather than rehash it all here, how about I give you a link where you can read the facts more thoroughly. The fact is, most people who speak out against low-carb dieting have never read anything themselves. Most of the concerns I usually hear begin with, "It just seems to me..." or "I would think that...". Well, is it possible in America we have been force-fed a lie about "proper" nutrition? Most of what drives anything anymore is the almighty dollar. Of course there are people out there who are going to tell you that cutting back on certain foods are unhealthy. Unhealthy for their wallets!
The other day I was talking with someone about this diet, and in the conversation I learned that this person was going to be following the Weight-Watcher's plan. Their comment to me was something like this: "The low-carb diet just seems so unhealthy to me." Then, in the same breath went on to tell me that in their Weight-Watchers diet they can eat "whatever they want." Hmmm. Whatever you want?! Which seems more unhealthy? Lots of chicken and other meats, tuna and other fish, healthy fats and and carbs (yes, fat... why have we always assumed all fat is unhealthy?) green vegetables, 64 ounces of water per day, etc... OR a combination of anything your stomach desires, just as long as you don't exceed your point allowance??? Although I am sure that was probably a misrepresentation of the Weight-Watcher's diet, as I do believe there is special attention given to cutting fats; still, from that person's understanding of it, it would be possible to be on Weight-Watchers, lose several pounds, but end up deficient in proper nutrients because they were "allowed to eat whatever they want." I think I'll take my chances with low-carb. And (as you will see in the article link I provided above), the primary thing that low-carb nutrition removes from your diet is unnecessary carbs, which Americans have tended to develop an unhealthy obsession with.
So, as you can probably tell, I have once again become a low-carb dieter. Already I can feel the difference. I'm not sure why I have written this post exactly. Perhaps to encourage you if God has placed it on your heart to develop better nutrition.
Oh, and by the way. Regardless of your diet, EXERCISE is a must. The number one reason for obesity is our sedentary lifestyles coupled with poor nutrition. Do not overlook the importance of exercise.
So, whatever you have decided to do this new year, stick with it!
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