August 2008 Archives
Based on the title of this entry, I'll bet you think you know what I'm going to say. But you're probably wrong. I believe in magic cures, and will find every last one that I can.
Recently a Diet Survivors message board member asked what she could do about her obesity, given that she's already intuitively eating, and given that she has a medical condition that limits her ability to lose weight.
Obesity is not just about aesthetics. It can severely limit our independence and impair our quality of life.
I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. This blog represents my personal opinion. I'm about to say something carefully and with caution. Know that my personal opinions on this subject do not represent the majority of the non-dieting experts. But it needs to be said, because even the non-dieting community ends up unwittingly imposing rules and inducing guilt. So here goes.
Ya know how some critics look at obesity and posit that it's got to be hard work, and that there's no magic cure? That there's no easy way out? I don't buy this argument. I think the medical experts are still working on a magic cure for obesity and when they find it, I'll be all for it.
This doesn't mean that an obese person of the future can't benefit as well from some psychotherapy. After all, ALL of us are broken in some way, and ALL of us can gain insight from some deep probing with the help of an expert.
I look at it this way. Take for example a woman who comes into adulthood with depression or explosive anger. She may get some psychotherapy, and that helps, but more is known now about the genetic component to these issues, and ultimately what gets her back on track to a happy life is her little white anti-depressant. Magic cure? Pretty much.
There are other conditions which sometimes have a psychological or behavioral component, for which doctors do offer remedies such as medicine and surgery. None of them are magic cures yet, but they are at least remedies that can improve your quality of life. Here are just a few, out of thousands:
- Aging
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Asthma
- Back Pain
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Digestive Problems
- Heart Disease
- Heroin addiction
- High Blood Pressure
- Joint Problems
- Lung Diseases
- Migraines
- Nicotine addiction
- Schizophrenia
- STDs
- Sleep Problems
- Urinary Tract Problems
Yet do we tell people with these conditions that they must not seek a cure other than psychotherapy? That there's no easy way out? That they must get to the root of their every last psychological problem first? No we don't.
How many people do you know that have had so much psychotherapy that they've solved their every last problem? I don't know any.
And herein lies the problem with "there's no magic cure to weight loss." This statement presumes that an obese person has to solve his every last problem, probe into every last childhood corner, before he's permitted to start losing some weight.
This is awfully harsh, and nobody else but the obese are expected to do this. Even heroin addicts are offered methadone.
All of us but the obese seem to receive permission to limp along in our humanness, and are not punished by having to wear our weaknesses outwardly in the form of excess weight.
Where am I going with this? The medical community doesn't have a cure yet for obesity, but they're working on it. They do have surgeries, such as gastric bypass and similar surgeries. They're not perfect.
I believe these surgeries have some merit. If your quality of life is so limited by your obesity that you're willing to take the risks of surgery, then get into a good program and consider it.
Remember to get therapy to help you deal with emotions, too. That way, you won't trade in overeating for a new addiction.
But the truth is that obesity surgeries save lives. They prevent heart attacks and they offer some quality of life.
Magic cure? If you want to call it that, it's okay with me. I'll like it even better when they take away the risks and side effects. But such is the state of all medical cures today. They still have a down side.
Don't let any non-dieting guru make you feel guilty for wanting a cure. If there's one for you, talk to your doctor.
Click on the book cover for more information
Normal Eating solutions: (You'll see after clicking how to subscribe to them)
Diet Survivors meditations
Diet Survivors message board
Food and Feelings message board
Find out more about Linda Moran's book, How to Survive Your Diet.
Visit the home of the book, The Rules of Normal Eating
Learn more about normal eating at Eat Normal Now
Maybe we overuse the word "normal" but doesn't it depend upon the context?
Karen R. Koenig wrote a book called The Rules of Normal Eating for those of us whose eating is whacked out. And that's a good thing, I think. It's a relief to return to normal eating.
If you haven't done it yet, I can attest to the contentment that comes from eating normally!
But what about in other areas of our lives? Some folks make a goal of trying to be normal, but did you know that many confident, happy people would be quick to admit they're far from normal?
As with anything else, we need to nuance this. Become normal where it matters, but in the bigger picture, dare to be different! Ultimately, much happiness can be found in one's ability to see shades of gray, and to think critically instead of painting life with such a broad, single-colored brush.
So learn to eat normally. That's a worthy goal. But do it your own way, in your own style. And don't chase "normal" too hard. It will only make you boring, like wholesome, plain old bran muffins.
Find your OWN way to think about your body and food. Find your OWN wisdom about what you need. Yes, it's a balancing act. Follow some sensible guidelines (such as eat dinner before dessert most days) but if you're trying to psych out the magic formula, it doesn't exist.
Blaze your own trail.
Click on the book cover for more information
Normal Eating solutions: (You'll see after clicking how to subscribe to them)
Diet Survivors meditations
Diet Survivors message board
Food and Feelings message board
Find out more about Linda Moran's book, How to Survive Your Diet.
Visit the home of the book, The Rules of Normal Eating
Learn more about normal eating at Eat Normal Now
