I talk a lot around here about honing self-discipline, avoiding temptation, and the like. Yet, I also (let the record show) merrily encourage the importance of “sensible vices,” those splendid morsels (culinary or otherwise) of personal indulgence. We at MDA approach the pursuit of health as, undoubtedly, a worthy and wise endeavor. The pursuit of perfection, however? Well, that’s just no fun, is it?
For an increasing number of well-intentioned, health conscious individuals, some researchers say, the pursuit of healthful eating is taking an ominous turn toward clinical obsession, an as-yet unofficial eating disorder condition labeled Orthorexia nervosa. I thought it was time to explore the subject and ask you to weigh in with your thoughts.
Ah, the power of New Year?s to swell hopes and ignite ambitions! Perhaps it?s the champagne. Or maybe it?s that sway of public sentimentality at midnight. Whatever the case, New Year?s is synonymous with resolution-making, and surveys show that health related pledges consistently top the list. Of course, we all bring our best intentions to the new year, but why do so many of us crash and burn once the rubber meets the road?
Some years ago, researchers at the University of Washington studied the sticking power of resolutions and what seemed to make the difference for those who were still on track three months later. Their study, an oldie (1997) but a goodie, offered some commonsensical wisdom that we could all stand to hear again:
Read MoreIn a conversation I was having with Mark recently he told me, “Living a healthy lifestyle is simple, but not easy.” So true. The basics of health are few. We can debate and elaborate on the specifics until we are blue in the face, but most aspects of living a healthy lifestyle are pretty straightforward. Yet for many people physical well-being is elusive.
Read MoreWhen I was a kid my best friend and I loved playing the hypothetical game. In case you are unfamiliar with this pastime it basically involves inquiring as to the minimum limits of compensation it would take to get the other person to experience something downright horrible. For example, “How much money would it take for you to run up to ugly Julie right now and kiss her on the mouth?” (We were juvenile, I know.) Or maybe, “How many Snickers would it take to get you to eat an entire earthworm?”
The consequences of such actions are fairly clear. My friend would probably be slapped by Julie and made a social pariah in the first case, and would likely vomit in the latter. Oh, but the sweet reward. We all have our price, and this is the beauty of the hypothetical game. (I think at age 10 it was somewhere around $100 and 2 1/2, respectively.)
Have you seen this trend? Next time you see a doggie bag atop a trash can, don’t assume the owner was too lazy to throw it away. This is replating. It’s the newest movement in helping the homeless and hungry. I’m not sure about the implications for public health. Aside from that, shouldn’t we be doing more to prevent homelessness? Romantic idealism doesn’t generally work in this place called reality, so while I like realistic and efficient solutions, I don’t like casual charity that absolves people of greater responsibility and real sacrifice. We thoughtlessly waste so much food in this country. And plenty of our own people go hungry. Is this a reasonable way to stop waste and alleviate a problem? I’m not sure there isn’t a whiff of apathy coming out of that doggie bag.
Read MoreThere are plenty of excellent stress guides out there. Some will offer spiritual tips, while others will give you practical advice. Still others offer nutrition and fitness ideas to mitigate stress. Stress comes in many forms – relationships, work, health, hormones, momentary dilemmas, and more – and there are just as many ways to tackle it. Here’s a list of helpful stress soothers that are so simple, they’re often forgotten. They’re not ground-breaking by any means, but they work! So, while these won’t resolve major conflicts or heal a tired body, they will give you a quick mental lift. And sometimes, that’s all you really need.
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