Writer’s Diet Plan, Part 1
So I’ve decided to drop a few pounds. Yeah, yeah; I know I’ve said it before. My determination never lasts. Usually I give up after a day when I need a sugar fix. Once I cut out sweets for a month and only lost four pounds. I decided that time, “Why bother?” It was the law of diminishing returns. I wasn’t getting enough on my investment. I took my winnings and ran.
So I’ve decided to drop a few pounds. Yeah, yeah; I know I’ve said it before. My determination never lasts. Usually I give up after a day when I need a sugar fix. Once I cut out sweets for a month and only lost four pounds. I decided that time, “Why bother?” It was the law of diminishing returns. I wasn’t getting enough on my investment. I took my winnings and ran.
For most of my life, I ate whatever I wanted and never gained an ounce. I was truly skinny which was fine with me. My mother always told me to enjoy it, for surely it wouldn’t last when I reached “a certain age”. She was so right. A few pounds crept on each year after that. I managed to stay level eating most of what I wanted. Then suddenly I would be five pounds heavier than I had been a few years before. I tried to blame it on the muscles I’d earned in my new career as a ranch hand. I had to finally admit it wasn’t only muscle. It was chocolate. And probably a diminished metabolism. I still wasn’t willing to give up EVERYTHING. I convinced myself that I wasn’t so heavy, just heavier than before. I was so thin before. Now I looked “normal”. Weight has a way of sneaking up on you.
This time I really mean it (today). And now that I’ve stated it in public, the gauntlet is thrown down. What finally drove me to this decision was a combination of things. A few women I know well have lost weight and look great. So there’s the jealous/envy factor. If they can do it, I can do it. Why should they look better than me? One lost it with Weight Watchers. (My cousin the surgeon says this is the only system that works over time, because it changes lifestyle habits. He also says if it comes in a box, it isn’t food). One woman lost weight using a doctor’s program where appetite suppressants are provided (for a fee), health and weight are monitored, and money is paid. Another woman said she simply stopped eating, pretty much. (I believe her. I’ve heard this before from others). Yet another discovered she was diabetic. Scared straight, she stuck to a strict diet and shed pounds. The true test is keeping the weight off after the initial loss. Some do and some don’t.
When Zack was sick, we had a male nurse at the long term acute care center who only ate food on Sundays and Wednesdays. I swear I’m not making this up. He showed us pictures of himself BEFORE. And we saw him AFTER (several times a week for two months). He dropped over 100 pounds. He claimed, “Most people don’t need to eat nearly the amount they think they do”. I always thought it was unhealthy to fast like that, hard on one’s electrolytes or whatever. He admitted he would drink a little milk if he felt particularly weak. But most of the time, he said he felt just fine. And I have to admit, he was an efficient, excellent nurse, always alert and sensible.
The “diet” I’ve chosen is simple: It’s a lifestyle. I’m going to eat like my kids eat. They’re into looking good and feeling good. They both exercise (I mean REALLY exercise) several times a week and eat only things they know are good fuel for their bodies. They don’t overeat. In essence, they eat to live. They don’t live to eat. Between the two kids, there are variations of course. My daughter is allergic to some foods, so she has other restrictions as well (for example wheat products or anything containing gluten. Gluten is in a LOT of foods. And that isn’t her only allergy. Where does this stuff COME from?) Normally she would cheat a little with chocolate, but it’s looking lately like she may be allergic to that too, poor kid. Other than the chocolate weakness, she eats much like her brother does. Her boyfriend works out almost daily and eats healthily too (except when he’s here. then he always goes on a caffeine-free Dr. Pepper binge. He can’t seem to help it).
To be continued.
Gene Ellis, Ed.D is a Bosque County resident who returned to the family farm after years of living in New Orleans, New York, and Florida. She’s an artist who holds a doctoral degree from New York University and is writing a book about the minor catastrophes of life. Check out Genie’s blog at http://rusticramblings.wordpress.com/
American Politics: Lesser Of The Evils
Once upon a time in America there were great leaders, the economy was strong, everyone shared in living a successful life and the people were happy and proud to be Americans. The American worker was the best in the World. But that was then and this is now. So what happened?
The Evolution Of Mediocrity
Once upon a time in America there were great leaders, the economy was strong, everyone shared in living a successful life and the people were happy and proud to be Americans. The American worker was the best in the World. But that was then and this is now.
So what happened?
First, the American Two-Party political system has failed the people. In always vying for power & control each party has lost its way. To gain more for itself, each party focuses on the acquisition of millions in campaign contributions. $ucce$$ is measured in dollars. There is little pride or respect.
There are fewer candidates for office who are intelligent, charismatic, honest, ethical and QUALIFIED. During the past several generations, the public has evolved apathetic and distrustful of their leaders. Worse still, we have developed leaders who are barely mediocre.
As voters, we have learned NOT to vote for the best candidate, but we continue to vote for the lesser of the evils. Consequently, we have lost our edge across the World’s stage.
The corporate sector has helped to ensure that the American worker remains unemployed by outsourcing American jobs overseas or by laying-off Americans and hiring only foreign H-1B visa holders. The American worker is becoming extinct, as is the prehistoric wooly mammoth.
While more Americans become jobless with no income, they also are becoming less educated. The process extends to limited or no health insurance coverage, taxpayer bail-outs of large corporations, higher costs of daily living expenses and increased energy needs. Costs continue to overshadow income.
We should consider whether these ongoing occurrences in the demise of the American worker and our political system is a conscious forethought or is it a stumbling, bumbling process of ineptness and fool hardy imperialism. I vote for the former.
It is difficult to believe that those who manage our government and corporate enterprises are accidently corrupting our political system and plunging American lives into an economic abyss, from which there is no escape.
Our leaders are lying to us. They tell us what we want to here and then immediately do what is demanded by their wealthy special interests.
“I will have naught to do with a man who can blow hot and cold with the same breath” — Aesop, (620-560 BC)
Consequently, here in the U.S. we all are in crisis mode. No matter what we are doing we are losing. We have evolved into a people who elected the lesser of evils; however, all the evils will exterminate us in the short and long term.
What can we do to get back on-track?
If we dare, we should start to do the following:
Recognize that the 2-party system is failing most Americans and our economic well-being and eliminate political parties and simply vote for the BEST person for each position
We must limit significantly or eliminate excessive campaign contributions so that wealthy lobbyists, corporate jackals and/or extremist individuals can NOT purchase the best government money can buy, as they currently are
Next, we need term limitations in government. Any elected official gets two terms max! Officials must work harder and quicker for the public good. After two terms THEY ARE GONE! Like crop rotation. Call it the LIP — Legislator Incentive Plan!!!
Above all else we must ensure that Americans have jobs and that citizens are given first consideration above foreign workers. Sorry, some will call this job racism, but it is common-sense
Strictly enforce the current immigration laws and/or modify the laws and then enforce them
Every American citizen must be able to purchase a complete health care plan that is affordable
Educate children how to become successful in the work world and to give back to the community.
Think about it. All these suggestions will ensure that we can maintain a continuous flow of fresh, honest and ambitious bevy of elected officials who will NOT be bought and who will perform their duties in the best interests of the community they serve within a 2-term limit. LIP!
Future leaders and workers each must be citizens and QUALIFIED for the specified positions.
In addition, all American citizens are provided jobs and are considered first by prospective employers.
All Americans will have health care that provides complete coverage.
We must develop a more intelligent population via improved education and “hands-on” work experience.
It’s time to raise our standards, elevate our ethical behavior, establish REAL community oriented priorities, eliminate greed as the ultimate objective, create jobs for any American who wants one and achieve our #1 place in the World order.
In short, we need to get the U.S back on-track. Contact your friends, neighbors and government representatives to “get the ball rolling”.
(Peter Stern, a former director of information services, university professor and public school administrator, is a disabled Vietnam veteran who lives in Driftwood, Texas.)
