When I was around 20 years old, I lived in a small town in Louisiana for a year. While there, I went to a new dentist and one of the questions on the intake form was, “How long do you want to have your natural teeth?”
I thought that was an odd question. Of course, I wanted to have them for life. Over 30 years later I still think about that question. All these years it has impacted my behavior regarding my oral health and how I care for my teeth.
I take great care of my teeth, but regarding my general health, I have struggled to maintain a healthy weight since junior high school. It’s been a journey. Despite numerous diets and a multitude of diet and nutrition programs, I have been overweight or obese much of my adult life.
What we eat becomes what we are! Our food is the building blocks of our bodies. Most of us know that the whole grain bread is a much healthier option than that croissant. So why is it so difficult to stay away from the greasy burgers, fries, brownies, waffles, and highly processed foods when we know that eating healthy, whole foods is so much healthier?
It’s not a guarantee that a poor diet will cause disease, but eating junk contributes to obesity and predispositions to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, certain cancers, among other health risks. So, I took a cue from the dentist’s question 30 years ago. To help me change my behavior about what food I choose to put in my body, I have started asking myself a few new questions:
How long do I want to live a healthy life?
How long do I want to be able to get up from the floor when I need to get something out of the bottom cupboard?
What kind of relationship do I want with my children/grandchildren? Do I want to play and frolic with them, or will I be the parent/grandparent who doesn’t leave their chair?
What age do I want to be when I’m diagnosed with diabetes? (Wait! I don’t ever want that!)
Admittedly, sometimes it’s not easy remembering to ask myself these questions. It’s a conscious, daily effort. But when I contemplate ending up with Type II Diabetes like my dad, I am much more likely to avoid that second cookie or grab an apple to begin with instead!
What is important to you? What is your motivation? What question will you ask yourself next time you reach for the junk food? Please share what motivates you in the comments below.
Thank you for sharing this. I’m wanting/need to reduce my stress and learn to let things go. I’m no spring chicken but this lady deserves to live her best life. 🥰
Thank you for this. Next time I reach for an unhealthy snack or think I have to pacify a fast- food craving I'll ask myself why?
I’m a snacker and emotional eater. I do like health food it’s just easier to eat pizza and unhealthy food. With many health challenges my weight has yo-yoed over the years. My motivation is to not be unhealthy or in a hospital ever again. It‘a very challenging where I work. I continue to look for healthy ideas and meals.