The Cost of Getting What You Want 

While I’m a firm believer you can have whatever you set your mind to, this can also be a detriment…especially to your health…let me explain.

Have you ever said this to yourself? “It doesn’t matter what I eat anymore because I’m XX age, and I deserve to eat what I want?” I’ve earned it like it’s another rite of passage. Seriously?

There’s an actual health cost of having what you want. Eating sugary, processed foods come with a high price health tag. There’s a cumulative effect of saying “It doesn’t matter what I eat.”

You can be the most disciplined person with all the willpower in the world, but let’s face it, we get to some magical age and determine we can eat what we want because it just doesn’t matter anymore?  Nothing is further from the truth.

Taking care of your health doesn’t have an expiration date, so starting NOW is the key to living longer. In a previous article, I mentioned I’ve been on every “diet” plan known to man. I’ve done them all—some with excellent initial results and some with negative consequences. I believe in eating a high-quality diet of healthy fats, moderate protein, veggies, and low carbohydrates. I’m not using the word diet like some temporary eating plan, but rather a sustainable eating protocol.

I would love to get all geeky on what happens when we eat. I never thought I would enjoy knowing how the body works (I must have obtained that gene from both my parents!) It’s taken me this long to be so intrigued with how the body works. What’s so interesting is its basic biology, and the facts are the facts, and for whatever reason, the mainstream medical community doesn’t want you to know.

• You have type 2 diabetes, here take a pill.
• You have high blood pressure, so take a pill.
• You have high cholesterol, so take a pill.
• You have any medical symptoms, take a pill.

You’ve all heard of the hormone insulin. Well, insulin is the hormone that regulates our metabolism.  It’s also the essential hormone that promotes fat accumulation and storage. Insulin is the storage hormone. Ample intake of food leads to the release of insulin. Insulin then turns on the storage of sugar and fat. When there is no food intake, insulin levels fall, and sugar and fat burning is turned on—a pretty simple concept.

Modern food has become highly processed and full of chemicals. Unfortunately, food is also loaded with sugar, both in plain sight and hidden. I’ve read studies where sugar is more addictive than cocaine. I read labels religiously and find the hidden sugar, unhealthy fats, or chemicals my body doesn’t need.

I do my best by eating natural foods and drinking only water. I walk daily with my neighbor and my new dog Zeke, and at 65, I’m feeling better than I did in my 20’s and 30’s. Sometimes, I even listen to my mom or ask for advice.  She knows everything,  especially that it’s never too late to make a change for better health.