True story: Sweet Jimmy B and I were on our first serious vacation together, and it had only taken us three years to do it! It was summer; it was New Orleans; it was hot; it was wonderful!
So, one night we went out for dinner, and I asked for a glass of iced tea to go with my meal. And our waitress looked at me disapprovingly and asked, "Why don't you drink?!"
Some days I ask myself the same question.
I know this is what I should be drinking. Every day. At least 64 ounces...and more when I exercise. There are so many things to think about when I'm considering how to nourish my body...and the research seems to change constantly! Do I grind my own wheat or do I avoid gluten? Do I soak my grains overnight before I eat them? Do I need to eat exclusively raw foods? Fermented and cultured foods? Should I become a vegetarian...or ditch carbs?
Aargh!
The one nutritional guideline that never changes is the pivotal importance of an adequate intake of pure water. Evidently, if I faithfully drank eight glasses of water a day--even if I didn't make any other positive changes to my diet--I would reap tremendous health benefits.
And as if I didn't already know this stuff before, the dietitians really, really hammer this one when you're getting ready for bariatric surgery. I don't know if water intake is all that much more important for post-bariatric patients than it is for the general population, but wow...they hit it hard! Drink your water! Take your vitamins! Sheesh!
And, really, there's no excuse not to do it. Anything without calories and caffeine counts toward my water intake. This should be a piece of cake!
So why do I constantly get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't even come close to my water goal? Have I lost my whole mind...or am I just a doofus?
I know I can do it. In fact, right after my surgery, when I was still writing down everything I put into my mouth...when I was tracking my water, my protein, my fiber...it wasn't hard at all! The medical staff had so fully educated me about the things that were going to be bad for my new tummy--and the things I absolutely must do in order to be healthy--that I marched on unquestioningly! Obediently!
Now, because I'm pretty good at finding excuses for myself, I would like to point out that it's winter. It's much easier to get enthusiastic about a big glass of water when it's hot and I'm actually thirsty.
Unfortunately, the sensation of thirst as we recognize it is one of the later symptoms of dehydration. My body needs a drink long before I reach the point of crawling around hallucinating, with my tongue hanging out of my mouth.
But...not to toot my own horn...there is one liquid vice against which I was brainwashed by the dietary staff at my surgeon's office! If you believe the press, a single sip of soda after bariatric surgery will make you wish you were dead! Your tiny new tummy will blow up! Don't even THINK about it! What are you...stupid?!
Here's some truth: I had a pretty good Pepsi addiction before my surgery. The real stuff. Sugar, caffeine, and everything.
Here's some more truth: It took me well over a year to even attempt it, but I have successfully ingested carbonation since my surgery.
However...maybe it's the fact that I never have liked diet soda, or maybe those dietitians are all members of a cult that has been specially trained in brainwashing techniques...but I just never drink the stuff anymore. And I don't miss it in the least.
That should be a point in my favor, right?
Right?!
OK...OK! I know! Caffeine is a big no-no!
So what if I drink coffee?! A lot of coffee?! It's not like I'm addicted or anything! I could quit whenever I want!
I just don't want to right now!
It's not like I'm hurting anyone else! How is this any of your business?!
Oh...and coffee is good for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and all other manner of dementia! My grandma was a zealous coffee drinker...dark, stout, chewable coffee! And she was sharp as a tack every day of her life!
So there!
So what if coffee acts as a diuretic, thereby having a net negative impact on my sub-quantity water intake!
Ugh.
The story you've just read is true. Unfortunately.
Sadly, it is also too often true if you substitute the word "water" for the Living Water. Seriously...go back and try it! Excuses, rationalizations, and poor substitutions aside...no matter what else I might try to do to improve myself, nothing is ever going to work unless I'm first filling up on Jesus.
Blessings!
Missy
So, one night we went out for dinner, and I asked for a glass of iced tea to go with my meal. And our waitress looked at me disapprovingly and asked, "Why don't you drink?!"
Some days I ask myself the same question.
Aargh!
The one nutritional guideline that never changes is the pivotal importance of an adequate intake of pure water. Evidently, if I faithfully drank eight glasses of water a day--even if I didn't make any other positive changes to my diet--I would reap tremendous health benefits.
And as if I didn't already know this stuff before, the dietitians really, really hammer this one when you're getting ready for bariatric surgery. I don't know if water intake is all that much more important for post-bariatric patients than it is for the general population, but wow...they hit it hard! Drink your water! Take your vitamins! Sheesh!
So why do I constantly get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't even come close to my water goal? Have I lost my whole mind...or am I just a doofus?
I know I can do it. In fact, right after my surgery, when I was still writing down everything I put into my mouth...when I was tracking my water, my protein, my fiber...it wasn't hard at all! The medical staff had so fully educated me about the things that were going to be bad for my new tummy--and the things I absolutely must do in order to be healthy--that I marched on unquestioningly! Obediently!
Now, because I'm pretty good at finding excuses for myself, I would like to point out that it's winter. It's much easier to get enthusiastic about a big glass of water when it's hot and I'm actually thirsty.
Unfortunately, the sensation of thirst as we recognize it is one of the later symptoms of dehydration. My body needs a drink long before I reach the point of crawling around hallucinating, with my tongue hanging out of my mouth.
But...not to toot my own horn...there is one liquid vice against which I was brainwashed by the dietary staff at my surgeon's office! If you believe the press, a single sip of soda after bariatric surgery will make you wish you were dead! Your tiny new tummy will blow up! Don't even THINK about it! What are you...stupid?!
Here's some truth: I had a pretty good Pepsi addiction before my surgery. The real stuff. Sugar, caffeine, and everything.
Here's some more truth: It took me well over a year to even attempt it, but I have successfully ingested carbonation since my surgery.
However...maybe it's the fact that I never have liked diet soda, or maybe those dietitians are all members of a cult that has been specially trained in brainwashing techniques...but I just never drink the stuff anymore. And I don't miss it in the least.
That should be a point in my favor, right?
Right?!OK...OK! I know! Caffeine is a big no-no!
So what if I drink coffee?! A lot of coffee?! It's not like I'm addicted or anything! I could quit whenever I want!
I just don't want to right now!
It's not like I'm hurting anyone else! How is this any of your business?!
Oh...and coffee is good for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease and all other manner of dementia! My grandma was a zealous coffee drinker...dark, stout, chewable coffee! And she was sharp as a tack every day of her life!
So there!
So what if coffee acts as a diuretic, thereby having a net negative impact on my sub-quantity water intake!
Ugh.
The story you've just read is true. Unfortunately.
Sadly, it is also too often true if you substitute the word "water" for the Living Water. Seriously...go back and try it! Excuses, rationalizations, and poor substitutions aside...no matter what else I might try to do to improve myself, nothing is ever going to work unless I'm first filling up on Jesus.
Blessings!
Missy
I do not understand what I do.
For what I want to do I do not do,
but what I hate I do.
Romans 7:15
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