Long and rambling

Apropos of nothing else I am going to write, did you know that the Tour de France is broadcast in 186 countries around the world? I don’t think I can name 186 countries! Amazing.

This is something I’ve been thinking about lately based on posts from various blogs. I know I’ve mentioned the documentary “Simply Raw” - a film that chronicles six Americans with diabetes who switch to a diet consisting entirely of vegan, organic, uncooked food in order to reverse disease without pharmaceutical medication. Each participant speaks candidly about their struggle to manage their diabetes and how it has affected every aspect of their life, from work to home to their relationships.

Anyway, they go to the Tree of Life Institute and of the 6, one gentleman leaves after 2 weeks or so. Most of these folks have other medical issues as well, but this gentleman loses like 30 pounds and comes off not only all his diabetes medication but also medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. He has a cousin or someone pick him up and he says he just can’t do it – it’s too hard. At the beginning they showed his wife tearfully discussing the fact that she’s been widowed once already, and wants her husband to be healthy. Despite that and the fact he’s reversed his diabetes, he chooses to go back to his old life. That more than anything illustrates for me how difficult it can be to change your life.

I read blogs by folks who have lost (and kept off) over 100 pounds, and one thing many discuss is wanting to remember how hard life was when they were severely obese – due to health or other physical limitations.

Imagine changing your life if you don’t have those incentives. Your health is generally good and yeah, you’d like to take off some weight, but you can fit in a plane seat, walk around all day sight seeing with your family, ride the roller coasters, whatever. Maybe your energy or fitness isn’t where you want it to be, but it’s sufficient for you to do the things you want.

The amazing thing to me isn’t that people don’t change in the face of information showing them how they can improve their health, it’s amazing to me that anyone does. People aren’t good at seeing the long run and people don’t really like being a non-conformist. Getting off the Standard American Diet whether it’s eliminating foods or just eating appropriate amounts is to set yourself apart.

At our offsite Friday we are being served pig picking food. I’ll be packing a hummus salad. Gee, like to stand out much?

I’m not trying to make excuses. I’m trying to say how much I admire anyone who can transform their body, improve their health, change their mindset. It’s a kind of miracle really.

Have a terrific day!