Today is “Day Zero.” That is what the doctor said. From this day forward, our lives our
different – in a good way. A healthy
way. As Kristi slept off some anesthesia
in the recovery area, I had some thoughts about our life.
We are wrapped up in a culture of food. Community festivals and events are all about
the fried, portable foods that are found there.
When we have thought of showing Chicago to visiting friends and family,
we have always thought in terms of where we would take them to eat: Chicago hot
dogs, Chicago-style pizza, Italian beef, Chi Tung (our favorite Chinese
restaurant,) etc. Family gatherings and holidays are surrounded by our grandmas’
recipes, and overeating all the appetizers, entrees, and fattening desserts
that define Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and more. Even church events are filled with dinners
and sweets with coffee or tea.
Now comes a shift in thinking. The culture of our own family is transforming,
so that the food no longer controls or determines the enjoyment of the
day. That is not to say that food will
be absent. It simply cannot – will not –
be the focus.
My wife will no longer be physically able to eat
the sweet temptations, filled with added sugar.
The reality is, Ben and I need to join her, at least more often than
not. Proteins and vegetables/fruits need
to be the vast majority of our diet.
Period. Is this an easy
culture-change? No. But it is the change for the better.
A few thoughts can guide our nutrition from “Day
Zero,” forward.
Hydration. Few people really
drink the amount of water their bodies need.
Adults should be drinking 64 oz. – TWO QUARTS – every day. Some trainers such as Ryan Masters actually
teach that you should be drinking an entire gallon daily! First of all, your body needs water to be in
its prime condition. In addition,
sometimes people eat when their bodies really are simply thirsty.
Slowing down. We eat way to
fast. In the car, on the road. Scarfing down in front of the TV. At the kitchen table, but rushing to get to
ball practice, band, karate, meetings, or whatever we are cramming into our
schedules. In preparing for bariatric
surgery, people are taught that we need to be chewing our food about 30 times
per bite-full. The fork or spoon should
be set down each time. S L O W down.
Balance. Everyone has told you
already: we eat way too many fats, and way too many of the wrong carbs. Basically, the South Beach Diet has good
advice: if you have carbs, they should be the right kind. Not sugary, white flour-filled things. Not a heap of potatoes or rice. Not even your typical “wheat” breads. Truly whole grain items, fresh fruit,
etc. And the fats you eat should be the
ones that will contain the “good” cholesterol.
Plenty of protein and plenty of fruits and veggies for the typical
person. For the bariatric patient, it
will mean just focusing on the protein at first. I am sure that Kristi’s blog will go into all the
details on that.
Activity. Here is where we have
been lacking. In general, we don’t eat
poorly. Maybe we haven’t always made the
best choices, but we haven’t overeaten either.
Still, we don’t move enough. Too
much of a pastor’s time is spent sedentary.
Writing at a computer. Sitting in
on meetings. Sitting in hospital waiting
rooms with families, or bringing the Sacrament to a shut-in. Teaching a catechism class or Bible class.
I am one of the rare people that actually enjoys
walking on a treadmill. We have one in
our basement, which I enjoy using while listening to podcasts on Disney, youth ministry,
theology, or wet shaving. The problem is
I rarely justify the time. “I don’t have
time to do this,” I convince myself. And
so there I stay, sedentary. Well, guess
what? Today is “Day Zero.” There is much more walking in my future, and
some weight training down the road.
Our family events are going to be
transformed. What can we DO together,
rather than what can we EAT together.
Bottom line is the slogan that has been around for a while and has much
wisdom: Eat Less and Move More. That’s a good family motto.
Today is “Day Zero” not just for Kristi, but for
the entire Heinz family. Want to join
us?
