I am curious. I want to know how things work and why. I pride myself for digging for the details to understand a concept and then decide if it works for me or not. It’s how I solve problems.
Growing up in the 80’s eating a low-fat diet was all the rage. Does anyone else remember the potato chips made with special oil that your body wouldn’t absorb? There was a warning on the package that cautioned you might shit yourself. People bought them anyway. They were willing to do anything to lose a few pounds except give up potato chips.
I never had an issue with my weight until after my kids came along. I was 40 when my daughter Jennifer was born. I blamed age and hormones for not losing the baby fat. I bought into the fad of shakes for breakfast, one-hour workouts and eating low fat. Over the course of that year I gained 18 pounds and I suffered from severe headaches. It turns out I could not tolerate the ingredients in the protein powder I was using. I really beat myself up over it. I decided I needed to get curious. What I was doing wasn’t working so the ‘expert’ advice I had believed for my entire life had to be flawed.
I started reading everything I could get my hands on to learn why I was gaining weight when I was working out twice as hard and eating less. I learned about the affects of sugar on the body. I learned about insulin and carbs. I learned about what fuel my body needed to be at its best.
Once I learned, I tried out and tested the theories on myself. I found what worked and what didn’t. It was a 5 years process. I realized I hate smoothies and shakes. I hate eating breakfast. I don’t like hummus, either.
I never want to stop learning. As long as I stay curious I guard myself against buying into the latest theories hook, line and sinker. I try them out. I debate them with anyone who is open to the conversation. I continue to be curious. It serves me well.
Next – My son Joey likes to debate politics, pay inequality, and environmental issues. He says that at 14 he should be allowed to vote because he worked a real job this past summer. I want to learn to debate politics and world evens with him without saying “Because I’m your mom, and I said so”.
