Dr. B.'s Blogs!

BUT I WANT TO HAVE A BEER!

Posted: February 19, 2013
By: Dr Susan Burger

 

I was speaking to a woman today answering questions on how she could boost her health, vitality, and energy, and normalize her weight. She lamented that in the past she had been able to stick to a strict regimen and lose all of her weight, but then would gain it all back. This occurred over and over.

As I began to make some suggestion, she said “But it’s the fall and I want to try all the new beers!” Well OK then- go ahead and have a couple beers!  And if you do, enjoy them!  She gave me a confused look.

Say for example you were in law school and got a whole year of all straight A’s, but then got a “C” (maybe you had too many beers before the tests!).  Would you think you should just quit, that it was all in vain, and that you’re a failure?  Or would you learn from it, get back to the business of school, achieve more “A” grades, and graduate successfully! By the end, that “C” would be insignificant.

While some things need to change to adjust oneself onto a more positive path, if we put too many restrictions and too much pressure on ourselves to never stray, we only go from a disciplined extreme to overindulgence. Because of the deprivation, the pressure of being flawlessly disciplined will quickly jolt you back to your unhealthy habits. 

For instance, say you took a rubber band and put it around your index finger on the left hand, then over the index finger on the right hand. As you pull your hands apart the band tightens. If you keep pulling it gets tighter and tighter, but you keep pulling with all your might, holding great tension. Then suddenly you let go and it snaps quickly with great force back to its original size. 

On the other hand, say you take the same rubber band around the same fingers. You pull the hands slowly apart as the tension increases in the band. But this time you don’t pull as hard. You pull it to a gentle tension and stop there. So, when you let go, it snaps back but more gently. In fact, it barely snaps at all. Overall, small changes over time create less pressure and allow more room for both missteps and growth. Instead of extremes, there’s more balance.

Keeping this is mind, my suggestion to her was this: Make a plan that is sensible – after all, your goal is better health and vitality. And that requires a lifestyle change, not a strict diet.  When Octoberfest comes and you want to go- GO!  Make the conscious decision if that is what you want. Enjoy the beer and the sausage sandwiches, enjoy your friends, and have fun! Your body will digest and assimilate all of that better if you have a good attitude towards it! (Those are the “C” days). 

The next day, since a healthy life and weight is on your priority list, continue the lifestyle that helps you feel energetic and great. (Those are the “A” days). In the long run, when there are a lot more “A” days than “C” days, you will be in great shape and not feel deprived of anything.

Love yourself enough to be honest with yourself. To be gentle with yourself. To stay conscious about your decisions. In this way you can change old habits, decide when a “C” is OK now and then, and keep living a life of excellence~!