Public Enemy # 1: SUGAR!

Over the years I have learned a lot of things about what contributes to my weight problem.  I have not been successful in overcoming it though. I hate that about myself - I try, and I fail.  I try, and I fail.  I don't want to fail again.  But I need to try again.  So I find myself looking at everything I have learned and tried and failed at -- trying to find a reason for my failure -- trying to find a way to make a lasting change.

I enjoy food. I should say I enjoy good food - I am a bit of a food snob.  I love to cook.  I enjoy eating out.  My portions are probably bigger than they need to be.  All these contribute to my weight problem.  But I do not eat a lot of fast food.  I do not binge.  I rarely eat desserts. I say this so you know that I eat like most of the people around me.  Yet I am twice the size of anyone in my family.

Proper food consumption and exercise must be a part of my long term solution. But there is a myriad of medical issues going on within my body that I need to address before my weight issue can really be resolved.  So medically speaking, this is a brief synopsis of what I have learned about my body:

1. I am borderline diabetic - maybe even full blown diabetic by now.  Insulin resistance is a big problem in my physical chemistry.
2. I have MAJOR hormonal imbalances - I've had high testosterone - low estrogen levels since puberty.  Then compound that with the hormonal roller coaster that two pregnancies and postpartum depression contributes and my hormones are a mess.  And the depression continues...
3. I crave simple carbohydrates:  bread, pasta, rice, etc.   I have a difficult time eating long term without them.  Candida overgrowth is a bi-product of eating too many simple carbs too often - I have known for years that this is an issue affecting my digestion.
4. I am addicted to diet coke.  I stop drinking it for awhile and then I have to have it.  I feel a physical change in my body when I get that first sip after awhile.  This is a major change I am trying to make immediately.  But it's hard.  (I had one today...I confess.)
5. I have high cholesterol and a fatty liver.   
6. My thyroid is technically in normal range but borderline, and a borderline thyroid is still a problem that needs to be addressed. 
7. Oh, and my feet are shot from years of excess weight and bad shoes!

I have known for years that simple carbohydrates are converting to sugar in my blood stream.  This is affecting my body's ability to use insulin. My cells are starving and telling my body to eat more simple carbs for the sugar.   What sugar is not used is stored as excess fat.  It a cycle that is contributing to my obesity.  I know this.  But I haven't known how to change it.  Stopping my sugar and simple carbohydrate intake cold turkey has not been successful. It's what I probably need to do - but it seems utterly impossible to make that drastic a change in my eating. How do I face this giant in my path? How do I the thing that seems impossible but absolutely necessary to save my life?

 I guess that is why I am so passionate about writing this blog.  I have head knowledge.  But I still fail.  I know I am not alone.  Others are fighting my same battle.  Others like me need support and inspiration and accountability.  Others have knowledge that I have yet to learn.  I want to share what I am learning.  I want to grow and understand more.  And deeply I want to change my life.  

The other night I was listening to a podcast from Young Living Essential Oils.  When I was listening to this podcast I felt like this speaker was speaking about me!  She identified almost all the issues I listed above, and she gave a suggestion for dealing with it.  I think that understanding WHY WE GAIN WEIGHT and can't seem to loose it is step one to really losing it for good.  So I listened to this talk once.  Then I listened to it again with pen and paper in hand...and made notes for myself.  

The speaker, Jennifer Crippen, mentions different nutritional products that Young Living sells.  My primary goal here is not to sell you anything - but bestow education.  I don't want you to get caught up on the specific name brands the speaker mentions when she gives suggestions for dealing with specific issues.  Rather, I would encourage you to listen to the over arching message and hear the broader lesson she is offering us:

•  Stop using carbs as primary fuel sources
•  Aim for a balanced blood sugar diet
•  And most importantly understand WHY our bodies need us to make these changes.  

Here is a link to part one of Jen Crippen's series on Weight-loss.  I hope it brings you hope that there is a reason why we gain weight.  And once we understand that cause...we can address the root of the problem.


Young Living Podcast Weight-loss with Essential Oils - Part 1 hosted by Jennifer Crippen.

If you would like more information on specific products mentioned in this podcast visit Young Living Essential Oils.