by Hadassah

Created on: December 26, 2007

No. It really is that simple. We can debate what a diet is or is not, but that is not necessary. The word is everywhere, and now that the New Year is approaching, we will see it used even more as retailers, magazine editors, booksellers, and food product companies try to make more money at the expense of the growing population of overweight people. Everyone knows what is meant by the word "diet."

I started a "diet" on July 27, 2007. There is nothing temporary about it. It is a new way of life, not a try at a quick fix. I had wanted to change my appearance for many years. More recently, it evolved into a desire to avoid becoming one of the people I saw on the health channels, lying in the emergency room, suffering from a heart attack, and being the not-so-proud owner of a belly that rose up higher than any other point on the body, fat quivering as the doctors worked on them. Not me, I vowed.

Change happened slowly. When I did my grocery shopping, I would notice what other people bought, and think that I was doing so much better than they were with my choices. I began listening to the advice of doctors who knew if everyone followed their recommendations there would be much less need for physicians in their areas of expertise. The day came when I did what they recommended, and went through my refrigerator and cupboards, throwing out everything containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, too much of any kind of sugar or sodium, or bleached flour products. The biggest change was just around the corner.

On July 27, I opened my email to find an invitation to a free healthy living site. I read the email, and thought I would try it. On that day, my life, and the lives of my children, changed. Yes, it does sound dramatic, but it is supposed to. It was dramatic. I filled out the forms, received my recommendations for a healthier lifestyle, and I began. I learned to fill out the nutrition tracker as soon as I ate something. I started to exercise, a little here, a little there. I read articles. I got involved in some of the communities offered. I began cooking again instead of just heating up a microwavable dinner. Slowly, I began to lose weight. My exercising increased, my health improved measurably, and my children began to notice. They began to follow my lead, and exercise and healthy eating became the norm.

Now, six months later, I am thirty-five pounds lighter. My blood pressure is down. I am stronger, more flexible, and have more stamina. I enjoy friendly competition to see who can get in the most exercise in a month. I am three sizes smaller. I am happier and more confident. Is the need for my "diet" gone? No. It is a life-long commitment. I plan to be around for a long time, and I plan to be healthy.

Learn more about this author, Hadassah.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.