What
Have You Got To Lose
Joyce
Koester, RN
The Way It Is
Do you give much thought to what you eat in a day? If you're
like many people, the growling of your stomach is like a
dietary alarm clock that urges you to shovel something in
your mouth as you press onward through each busy day. That
something could be a handful of pretzels, a donut, or a
quick stop at a fast-food restaurant. Anything to stop your
stomach from complaining about its empty state.
Our days are busy and hectic. Out the door before dawn,
a quick sprint through the drive-through of our favorite
java joint, then to work or school. You might grab a sticky
pastry or a cellophane-wrapped breakfast sandwich somewhere
during the morning or it may be a plastic-shrouded sandwich
hastily wolfed down for lunch. Many of us just skip the
first two meals of the day then eat almost continuously
from the dinner hour through until bedtime, packing in the
calories like a traveler packing a suitcase for a European
vacation. Sound familiar?
The Way We Feel
"I just don't have any energy." It's a common
complaint. Feeling sluggish in the morning we slug down
a cup or three of coffee to jump start ourselves into reluctant
motion. Our mid-morning sleepiness is banished by the sugar
rush from that donut or candy bar. After a burger and a
caffeinated soda we're ready for the afternoon-only to crumple
a few hours later. Revived by another soda and some potato
chips we trudge through the afternoon to reach home in a
state of weary exhaustion that can only be cured by an extended
period spent on the couch with the remote control watching
television. Ring a bell?
Wish There Was A Better Way?
Many of us feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities we carry
upon our shoulders. Holding down a job, caring for children,
paying the bills, and the relentless pace of urban living
all take their toll on our bodies and our sanity. We are
concerned about our health as well, but often feel powerless
to make any positive changes. We see the scale creep up
a few pounds and our clothing fitting a little tighter and
consider this the price to be paid for each year that we
age. Breathing a little heavier while going up stairs is
just the way it's supposed to be. Having a little more weight
around the middle is excused as a "beer belly"
or "love handles". We heave a sigh instead of
smiling in satisfaction at the image that greets us in the
mirror each morning.
Do you think that having a healthy, toned body is only for
the young? Would you like to enjoy renewed energy, improved
self-esteem, and better overall health? Would you like to
lose weight in the process?
If you would, you're not alone. Don't wait until next year,
next month, or even next week to begin. Make a commitment
to yourself and to your family that good eating and healthful
nutrition will play a more important role in your life.
Go ahead, start tonight. Believe it or not you can fit healthy
eating in your busy schedule. It takes a little planning,
but the long-term benefits of improved health and well-being
are well worth it.
What have you got to lose?
Joyce Koester is a registered nurse who works at a hospital
in Austin, Texas. She is also an INBF bodybuilder who recently
titled in Novice Light Class. Her hobbies include playing
guitar, keeping her journal, and antique-hunting with her
fiancé. |