The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Thursday, December 09, 2004

Note on body

I recently got a note from a friend concerning  her efforts to lose weight.  the normal mood swings were deviling her, as well as some confusion about how to use the "modeling" technique.  Several of the models she chose were themselves overweight.  No surprise there! We go toward what we're comfortable with.  At any rate, removing all name references to protect her privacy, my reply went like this:
###
What you're doing is getting in touch with your pain.  You aren't as anesthetized to it any more, so it seems like its volume and intensity is increasing.  It isn't .  this kind of work is like running an aquarium pump filter--you stir up crap.   There are a number of programs that suggest small meals several times a day to stabilize the blood sugar: "Health For Life" for instance.  They involve a small balanced meal: protein, carbs, vegetables.  Dried apricots are food, for instance, but are WAY high in sugar.  You need to become very very conscious of what you are going to eat--remember that your unconscious is going to try to take you back to your comfort zone. 
##
There is nothing wrong with exercising in short bursts.  If you have a 30-minute routine 4-5 days a week, that's plenty to get  you going.  But you could even break that up into 3 10-minute segments through the day.  That would actually be better metabolically!
##
In terms of role models, you look for three things:
1) Belief systems
2) mental syntax (the order in which they do things)
3) Use of physiology.
###
It is obvious that Oprah has conflicting belief systems operating, although she seems to keep her weight down when before the camera.  Obviously, she binges off-camera.  Her relationship with Stedman suggests to me that she isn't particularly healthy there, either.  The trick is that it's relatively easy to succeed if you ignore wounds in the non-success area. 
##
Because you stay home during the day, it would be far easier for you to plan and execute small meals eaten 5-6 times during the day.  Remember that you don't need more carbs than you burn up as fuel.  Protein is needed for rebuilding tissue.  And vegetables contain the spark that lights the fire.  Be careful about greasy, heavy sauces and dressings: this is a common way for dieters to screw up: they eat vegetables, but cover 'em with slop.

Steve

1 comment:

leon said...

A calorie ratio of 40 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent proteins, and 30 percent fat minimizes your glycemic load (insulin) and thus the fat you retain. This balance also provides the three key macro nutrients needed to keep a body in hormonal balance.