Here we are in mid-January and, if you are like most of us, you may have “Post-Holiday Sugar Belly.” Ugh.
The literature about carbohydrate consumption seems to indicate that the more you have the more you want. It’s as if the body becomes a sugar-seeking monster with radar honed on the nearest sweet treat. The aftermath isn’t pretty.
Of course the New Year’s Resolutions follow the gluttony of the holidays. All of our excesses and their guilty aftermath make for contrite promises for greater health consciousness. The fitness community doesn’t miss the opportunity to exploit our hedonism and offers specials. The masses will spend January and part of February (if we’re optimistic) trying to deal with the bulge that has appeared around the anatomical equator.
After overconsumption of alcohol (which turns into sugar when metabolized), sweets and rich foods our bodies suffer from inflammatory responses. I was watching “My 600 Pound Life” on TV and feeling a mixture of horror and compassion for the immobilized bodies of our fellow humans. I’m not 600 pounds (yet), but I realize how, seeking momentary comfort in a difficult life can lead us to unconscious habits that can cause big trouble.
Like most anomalies in human existence, being aware is the first step. If we’re lonely, angry, hurt, or otherwise compromised, the healing has to come from the inside out. Another person, a piece of cake, a bottle of wine or internet titillation aren’t going to touch the deeper issues. In fact, lulling us into transient moments of immediate gratification will build a debt that will be harder to repay.
Instead of dealing with symptoms, let’s deal with causes and make a more comprehensive resolution to be our own best friend. Let’s transform negative thoughts into positive ones and move in directions free of manmade obstacles like addictions. More than impulsive resolutions out of guilt and fear, maybe a little self-love and forgiveness will go a lot further in 2016.
With much love,
Rosanne