A fundamental principle is at work in the whole biological process of weight gain and weight loss. Whenever our intake of food (our source of energy and building material) exceeds our needs, our well-designed bodies will store the excess.

The weight loss industry now capitalizes on the frenzy that has been created as the cycle of weight-gain and weight-loss is repeated. From weight loss pills and potions to low carb diets, people are doing everything to lose weight except attacking the problem at the root cause.

When common weight loss methods fail, those who can afford it turn to surgery. But as researchers are discovering, "this last resort offers impressive benefits, but it's not risk-free." And it still does not get to the root cause of the problem - lifestyle habits.

People are fatter nowadays. Gone are the days when we used to walk to the neighborhood grocery store. Today we drive almost everywhere we go.

The following is a statement from the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. The worldwide epidemic of excess weight is due to the imbalance between physical activity and dietary energy intake." It is cause and effect.

It is what we eat

Our food is more refined and has less fiber. We think it is better to separate the fiber from the food and eat them separately. Have you heard of dietary fiber supplements?

Nearly 80% of Americans do not eat fruit and vegetables everyday. We eat high calorie, fatty foods that taste great! We have the best tasting foods, many restaurants and food vending machines per square mile, and lanes of high cholesterol, high fat cuisine. We are a big nation. Patrons at popular restaurants believe very serving must be a "biggie" for them to get their money's worth. Now, we own obesity. But it's killing us.

It is when we eat

We eat late, skip breakfast, snack like grazing cattle, and don't exercise. We eat more and have eliminated all our need to walk.

One dietitian is quoted as saying, "I've yet to meet an overweight person who doesn't skip breakfast and snack at night." Most overweight people don't believe that skipping breakfast can contribute to obesity. But it does. Breakfast is our most important meal. After resting during the night, the body is ready to get its fresh supply of energy for the day. Don't just give it caffeine.

It is a good thing to give the stomach time to rest between meals. This doesn't happen when we snack all day. The heart rests between beats, our brain rests when we sleep, our stomachs need rest too. Since it takes about 4 hours to completely digest and eliminate a meal, it is a good thing to eat every 5 to 6 hours and do not snack in between.

I hear you say, "But I'm diabetic, I can't do that!" Well, this diabetic does that everyday, without medication! With the right diet and lifestyle, it can be done with amazing results.

So what do we do now?

Let us walk it over. If you are overweight and can move, start walking. It works and it is free. Start small, be consistent, and most of all, be patient. I know firsthand that this works. I am diabetic but my weight is ideal. I walk a whole lot, and I love to see my blood test results every time.

There is no one thing that constitutes a healthy lifestyle. We need to be vigilant in all areas that impact our health and well-being. Many of these aspects are discussed at on my website where I tell my personal story. Health is precious, and we must choose it every day, remembering that for effect there was a cause.

References
- Diabetes Forecast. 2006, April; 59(4):59-61
- Health Power by Hans Diehl and Eileen Luddington
- Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 2005; (170):137-163