May 2009 Archives

Take the time to get together with people who are spiritual. It's called "fellowship" and it's really valuable and wonderful. There's nothing like a spiritual community where you can feel instantly understood and appreciated for what you believe in and experience. You'll hear other people's experiences, too, which often helps you to deepen your own.

There are religious, church based groups, and there are spiritual, non-denominational groups, and there are gatherings of people who just want to get together. Some have educational components: bible study, meditation classes, book clubs, or discussion groups. Others offer peer group support and counseling, emergency assistance, or just companionship.

There are an abundance of anonymous support groups, with a spiritual emphasis, that can really be of great inspiration and release. Local houses of worship or community centers are a good place to start finding out what's available in your area. The Internet, too, on websites and in listings you enjoy and trust, offers good resources.

Hey, there's a lot of buzz about eating out at restaurants, fat loss and weight loss.  I think that's pretty ridiculous.  It's really hard to lose weight eating a lot of sugar and fat at fast food restaurants!  Food lovers, fat loss isn't found at fast food restaurants, fat is found there! God knows!

Fast food restaurants just are not very healthy.  But I do go to them occasionally, and also tell my clients they can add them into a Joy of Weight Loss Food Plan.  Best to eat grilled food, not fried. Salad, not fries.  Please, limit the fries and heavy meat!  A little goes a loooonnnnnnggggg way!

Here's what I wrote about it recently, click here.    Also, a piece on favorite fast food restaurants.

Here's a mention of the food lovers fat loss system review.

What do YOU think about losing weight, or maintaining a weight loss, eating at fast food restaurants?  We'd love to know!

and please TWITTER along with me, drnorrischumley, on www.twitter.com

My friend's dad, Bernie, taught me his trick for having dessert (but not really). He has one little tiny piece of high quality chocolate every day, in the evening. Just a sliver.

He lets it melt slowly on his tongue, instead of chewing it. Bernie says he's satisfied with just a small taste, eaten ever so slowly. Sometimes this works really well for me. It satisfies my craving for sweet, and chocolate. And it adds relatively few calories to the day.

On the other hand, if I'm really ravenous for dessert, and lots of it, I don't do it. I don't want to tempt myself to have more than one piece. It's better to not have any at all in those instances, and get my sweet-tooth satisfied from life--by being with my family or friends, or seeing a good movie, beautiful art, or wonderful music.

Are YOU able ot have just one little piece of chocolate?  Or do you have to stay away from it to lose weight?  Tell us by posting a comment, please.

Did you see my latest Twitter.com message?  Follow drnorrischumley and you won't miss a thing.

 

Two reader's comments struck me this morning as being on-target. One about mysteries of self-abuse, the other about the power of spiritual practice.  Not a direct problem and answer counterpoint, but somehow, these relate.  I hope they will for you, too.

An anonymous reader sent the comment, "I am very overweight, and punish myself with food. I eat all the wrong things like cookies, ice cream, etc. on purpose. Every now and then I will get motivated and start eating healthy and working out, it doesn't last long, I stop. I hate looking in the mirror. I don't know why i punish myself with food."

I think it's great you realize you are punishing yourself with "treats" like cookies and ice cream.  I understand this problem: I did it for many years to the point of weighing 400 pounds.  I too could not understand why I did this to myself.  Ultimately I had to understand what hidden force inside me, in my unconscious mind, wanted me to stay fat (it had to do with abuse).  I spent a long time in therapy, and began to unlock the mystery.  First, though, after years of being puzzled and powerless, I gave my problems to God in prayer, and asked Him for help.  Without knowing my mystery, I was given the power and strength from God to do something else, other than overeat sweets.  So for you, dear reader, I would suggest while you are in the middle of a sugar-binge of self-abuse (and that's what it is, although uncontrollable) do your best to consciously remind yourself that you are in trouble and admit you cannot control it yourself.  Then, immediately say a prayer to God and say "God, please help me."  Then, most importantly, accept His power to put the food down and get away from it, and do something else.  I would also recommend you speak to someone, perhaps a professional, for assistance -- a counselor, therapist, life-coach, minister, etc.

There's more to solving personal mysteries of overeating and self-destructive behavior, of course, but this is my best suggestion for a jump-start towards healing and recovery.

On the subject of health, weight loss, exercise and asking God for help, here's Laila's note on her experiences.

"I've gone from following an exacting exercise schedule, in my 20's, to severe anemia later, from several causes. I used to use exercise as a way to control my feelings and blow off anxiety. Now spiritual practice brings me calm and centered-ness, I have more tolerance for uncomfortable feelings, I am more in tune with my body, and I exercise more for health reasons. I also accept housework, gardening, lawn-mowing (pushmower with no gas or electricity), dog-walking, cycling, swimming and more as "exercise," rather than the gym model. Whatever works, but why pay to walk on a treadmill or sit on an exercise bike?"

It sounds like Laila has gone past the all-too-easy false answer of intense and "exacting" exercise for weight-loss.  Sure, exercise is important, but it's got to be integrated into one's life.  Doing too much exercise, or too much food-restriction just doesn't work.  Being active in lots of different ways and making some simple changes in lifestyle, with God's help WORKS.

Check the original blogs for more details and comments:

Fitness Exercise that Fits - Comment of the Week

Motivation for Movement

Thanks so much for posting comments.  We all love them, and we love it that you're in our online community.  PLEASE POST YOUR EXPERIENCES!

Also, I love it that so many people are following me on Twitter.com, drnorrischumley.  SIgn up now, please!

Here is a great sugar-free and lower-fat pie treat that's easy to make, with exotic sweet fruit and no artificial sweetener.  The fruit is so sweet you don't need additional sugar. You can use a frozen piecrust, or make one...

This week I wrote a lot about workouts, that dirty word "exercise," and the motivation to just get up and do it.  It starts with the mind, and the body follows along.   This is the link to my original article,...

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How do you lose weight with God?  Simple, just ask Him for help.  A lot of readers have asked me to write more about this.  Funny, that's what I've written about the most in the last 9 years!  I fear...

Lucy asks: How often should I weigh myself on your program? My advice is that you weigh yourself once a month, on the same morning every month, before you've eaten anything, and preferably without clothes and after voiding. Keep...

Are you making sure to be active every day? I don't mean vigorous exercise (although that's great if you're in a regular habit you've built up to)...I mean at least walking for a minimum of 10 minutes per day. Start...

Comparing yourself to others can backfire.  Be sure to appreciate the good things about yourself, and acknowledge your hardships and efforts, too.  This is an important point.  I'm glad that an anonymous poster commented about this, this week, in response...

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This comment by Nancy H. is a real winner this week - so inspiring, and practical.She wrote, "I love to workout. But between a full time job and a part time business. I have to make it a priority. I...

I am thinking about my mother a lot recently.  She meant so much to me in so many ways. Yes, Mother's Day and all -- the Hallmark Card-invented day to sell instant greeting cards.  More than that, much more, I...

If you haven't seen or heard about Connie Culp, the lady who is the recipient of one of the first face transplants, you may want to.  She has been through so many traumas, pain, and humiliation - yet sought help...

If you have not heard, Hydroxycut, a popular weight loss drug, has been recalled by the FDA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Stop taking them if you have been.Here's part of what the FDA press release said last week,...

Find yourself tense, stressed, muscles all tight?  Worried about something? Fearful of what is next?Here is what I do when I'm in that dark, deep place:-- take a deep breath.-- tell God I love Him.-- ask Him to show me...

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I wrote about bacon the other day, a recipe for a lower-fat method of cooking by baking it on a rack.  Lots of folks responded, and I'm so happy about that.One reader, Joe, blasted me: "hey doctor norris, how can...

Last night I wanted to eat a bunch of ice cream. I wanted to binge, to tell you the truth. I wanted to feed my boredom and my old sugar habit. I had thought about it over and over again,...

Think about what holds you back. Is it fear? Worry? Think about the fears that bother you on nights you can't sleep - or days you're feeling anxious. What are you afraid of? Is it real? Is the fear necessary?...

There's an interesting article about cheap beef, with recipes by Jane Sigal, in the New York Times, take a look here.You may not have heard of beef chuck deckle, or beef chuck seven-bone steak; I haven't. But this article makes...