Eat to Live with Cerebral Palsy; NOT Live to Eat
Recently, I have been getting some great comments and participation on the blog. I want to thank you very much! Keep it up! It encourages me very much; and, I hope it also encourages other readers.
Among the comments and emails are questions about my diet. It seems others have doctors that “pat them on the shoulder” and offer discouraging advice like: “Just push away from the table.”
Pardon me, but that is not good enough. I needed to learn how to eat to live with CP, NOT live to eat! I needed information about portion sizes, menu plans, and what I needed to include in each meal, in order to ensure a healthy new way of eating, for the rest of my life.
The New Page
Since some of you feel the same way, I have include a new page on my blog, with a link to download the documents my dietitian gave me. Of course, there are notes that are specific to me, because of my special needs, but the papers are for a 1500 calorie diet. (Of course, men need more because their metabolism is higher, and they burn more calories.)
Also I have included a link to a heart healthy cookbook. However, there are a lot more on Amazon.com, or check your local bookstore.
Remember, this is NOT information to lose weight and then go back to the old eating habits that caused a problem in the first place. The plan is to learn to eat healthy, get into the habit, and keep it up for a lifetime.
The Willpower Problem
Now, it’s time to make a confession. I have a willpower problem. Although it’s getting easier, I love fast food (I hate to cook), and I have a sweet tooth. So, I had to come to terms with both, or I couldn’t have lost an ounce.
First, I have discovered that most fast food places have relatively healthy items on their menus. For example:
The real killer in fast food is the preparation. Stay away from the fried stuff. (Sorry, French fries included!) Avoid the dressings on the sandwiches, even if they are baked. Take it home and add ketchup or mustard, if you can’t eat it dry.
Don’t forget the Sweets!
Okay. When it comes to sweets, this is what works for me. If you have absolutely no self control, and will sit down and eat a whole gallon of ice cream, you may need to come up with a better plan. But,. . .
I allow myself a cheat day. Yes, it’s true. I pick Sundays because that is often when I go out with friends, and I especially don’t like to cook.
On Sunday, I eat what I want (unless I am medically supposed to stay away from certain foods), sweets, etc. The trick is to be VERY GOOD the other 6 days of the week. Then, think of it as a reward.
I find it better to plan a cheat day. Then, I am less likely to “fall of the bandwagon” and resume my old eating habits.
BEWARE!
However, be forewarned! Once you get into the habit of eating to live with cerebral palsy, and not living to eat, you will find it difficult to “pig out” on your cheat day. Once you start losing weight and your body begins to like eating healthy, you might make yourself sick when you go back to those favorite unhealthy treats. Moderation, even on cheat day is key.
The Best Part
Good news! The best part of eating healthier will not just be the loss of a few pounds. The best part is simply feeling better, on the inside and out!
I still haven’t reached my goal weight. I am a work in progress. I have been at this for almost a year. I can’t weigh on a scale, unless I go to the hospital, because of the chair. But, I have gone down 6 sizes, (50 lbs??) it’s easier to lift myself around, and I feel so much better.
I still have my chocolate candy bar, once in a while. I don’t really like fried foods anymore. When I eat at my mom’s (she is the best cook), I eat a little bit of everything. Although I would like more, my body feels like I stuffed myself with the whole Christmas turkey! So, I quit.
The first few weeks are the hardest. But, it gets easier, especially when you start feeling healthier.
So, if you want to lose weight and need a diet partner for encouragement, you know where to find me.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
This post reminds me a lot of Dr. Fuhrman’s book eat to live. You should check it out from the library it’s a solid read. I also love everything by John Robbins.
May 5th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Thanks Greg! I am also going to add what you sent me soon. Although living with CP deals with a lot of different issues, healthy eating seems to be a biggie, especially for those of us who are sedentary and gain weight just looking at food.
May 6th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I recently lost over 60lbs and went from size 42 waist to a 34. Exercise was a huge factor, but I would have to say what we eat and when is a more crucial factor. I try to eat 5-6 smaller protein-rich meals with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, I eat my biggest meal of the day in the morning and taper off with subsequent ones throughout the day. This helps get the metabolism going and keeps the appetite under control. Obese people often eat less than I do, except they skip breakfast, chug sugary sodas all day, snack on greasy carb-laden junk food and then gorge before dinner and up until bedtime. By doing that, you are essentially telling your body to store fats and metabolize foods at a slower rate.
May 7th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Ulysses,
Thank you for your comments. Very good advice. If you are living with cerebral palsy, what kind of exercises work best for you?
May 20th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I recently lost over 60lbs and went from size 42 waist to a 34. Exercise was a huge factor, but I would have to say what we eat and when is a more crucial factor. I try to eat 5-6 smaller protein-rich meals with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, I eat my biggest meal of the day in the morning and taper off with subsequent ones throughout the day. This helps get the metabolism going and keeps the appetite under control. Obese people often eat less than I do, except they skip breakfast, chug sugary sodas all day, snack on greasy carb-laden junk food and then gorge before dinner and up until bedtime. By doing that, you are essentially telling your body to store fats and metabolize foods at a slower rate.
May 22nd, 2010 at 3:06 am
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June 25th, 2010 at 9:01 am
My daughter just started college and is living in the dorms at FGCU This has been the most traumatic time in our lives, on Saturday when we dropped her off, she fell in the bathroom at night, there was no roommate in the dorm she was assigned to! She somehow dragged herself back to her room and called us, we were staying at a hotel nearby. Any advice comments (please help)
June 25th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I am so sorry. I wish I had the magic answer. But, I really only have 3 suggestions. You can get your daughter a medic alert system. It looks like a watch that she would wear all of the time-even in the shower. If she falls, she can hit the button and it calls assistance for her. Then, they call her back. If she can’t answer the phone, they send someone to her.
Also, you may want to get her a cell phone and create a pouch or purse that she carries with her at all times. If she falls, she can dial 911. Have it set on quick dial, so she only has to hit one button.
In addition, the law provides for accessibility and handicap aids. She can talk to the school. Maybe she can have an aid present when she is traveling between classes or dealing with damp bathroom floors. I know there is help available, and schools get grant money to help disabled students, so all you need to do is ask.
I hope that helps.
Best wishes, Tina
June 28th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Thank you for your suggestions, we will try, we have talked to the school, they tell us that they can not do anything for the dorms it is not their responsibility, all I know is that we are not going to give up!!!!!!!
June 30th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I am so glad you are not giving up! I also thought of something else. Have you checked with the local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (or whatever the government calls them now)? They helped finance my education, but they also provide transportation and other assistance, to make sure the disabled can receive that education. Since living in the dorms is part of your daughter’s education, maybe they will have some ideas.
June 30th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Thank you!
June 30th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Bruce,
You are right on with what my doctor and the dietitian talked about. Kudos to you!
July 1st, 2010 at 8:29 am
I will find out about voc rehab, however she is doing better. If there is anyone else who is also going through this I would love to talk to them!!!