THE holidays may soon be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger for a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of us who have over-indulged during the festivities. And I plead guilty to having succumbed to the temptation myself.
The post-holiday “makeover” is just as a healthy pre-emptive measure, more so for those who really want to maintain their normal weight or those who have diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, etc.
As with anything else, damage control is best as a preventive strategy. However, the special celebrations and holidays, like a birthday bash, a wedding reception, Thanksgiving Day, and especially the Christmas and New Year festivities, which could go on for more than a week, expose all of us to that great irresistible gastronomical temptation.
For dieters, those who are watching their weight or counting calories, these occasions are tough times. Blessed are those strong-willed souls, whether or not they carry a calorie counter on one hand and a scale on the other. These health-conscious individuals will reap their rewards in terms of stamina, energy, a stronger immune system, and even longevity, as shown by medical statistics. Of course, abstinence from tobacco and disciplined drinking alcoholic beverages are essential to health.
Yoyo dieting: Harmful
Our physiology is at the optimum when we consume just the right number of calories to maintain our normal weight and when our glucose (blood sugar) level is on an even keel most of the time. When we over-eat and then try to starve ourselves to compensate for our indiscretion, our blood glucose spikes up and down, described as yo-yo dieting. This severe fluctuation in our blood glucose level has adverse effects on our body and on our immune system. And this poses even greater danger for persons with diabetes.
Eating several times, even 5 or 6 times a day, NOT exceeding the total 24-hour caloric need of our body, is a healthier habit, which helps maintain our blood glucose level in a more stable, less erratic, pattern during the day. But the key is calorie-control, especially the ones from carbohydrates, combined with daily exercise.
Drinking a lot of water (not fruit juices, and especially NOT soft drinks, which are toxic, poisonous in themselves!) can help a lot. Excess weight that does not come down only means a greater reduction in food intake is needed. The excess weight gained over the holidays could be safely eliminated within a week. There is really no need to buy expensive prepared “diet” foods, which are nothing but high protein-low carbohydrate, calorie-portioned, meals. Rice, bread, soft drinks, and sweets are the top culprits that cause weight gain fast and increase the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses.
With discipline and resolve, and daily exercise, anyone can achieve the same weight control by counting calories. You can shop for smaller sizes clothing later from the money you save with this DIY dieting strategy. For those who are overweight to begin with, the same strategy (output of calories must exceed the intake) works like wonders. Simply put, more exercise and less food, until the scale tells you that you have achieved your dream weight (and body!) for the NEW YOU in the exciting new year.
Social damage control
The events of the past few years have been most disturbing. Woke-ism and socialism are causing havoc in our society in America, creating confusion and fear about people’s behavior, sexuality, attitude, and anger. Some within the United States are even praising Hitler and bin Laden. Have we gone mad? This lunacy must stop!
This social cancer and chaos inspired me to write the highly critical and incisive book, “Where is My America?,” dissecting the anatomy of hatred, corruption, social and moral decay in the United States. This is not the America I have known since the early 60s. Most Americans are missing her too. This anthology will challenge your mind and warm your heart, especially the younger generation, the future leaders of America, says USA Today. [Scan QR Code included somewhere in this column.]
Here are some quotes from this book:
“Those who hate America, all the thankless ingrates, shameless parasites, and vilipender woke, should leave our gracious shores, our noble land, and with them take this virus of massive insanity, the pandemic of anger, hatred, and inhumanity.”
“We, 8.1 billion Homo sapiens, came from one common original (the first human) parents in Africa some two million years ago, are historically and literally relatives, today’s citizens of one world, with mankind as our nationality. Sadly, global family peace still appears impossible.”
“Bigotry is the curse of primitive ignorance and human insensitivity. Tolerance is compassionate civility with intelligence and wisdom.”
“Freedom of speech, as originally envisioned by our God-fearing forefathers, was obviously not meant the liberty to say anything one wants, including lies, blasphemy, or derogatory or destructive words to hurt our fellowmen. Today, this First Amendment right is being wrongly misinterpreted and abused.”
“By not sidelining the past, waring nations imprison their present as hostage to greater hatred and bitterness, in vicious cycle, making peace in the future impossible.”
“Either we finally learn how to live with each other in harmony now or we might all eventually perish together in a nuclear Armageddon.”
“A nuclear war will only show how stupid we, suicidal humans, are, and justify our destruction from this good earth into shameful particles of dust vapor in the galaxy.”
I pray that 2025 shall be a year of new hope and that America and the world would be a lot wiser and smarter and cease destroying themselves. Together, let us welcome and cherish each other as brothers and sisters with understanding and compassion and savor the great wonderment still ahead of us. After all, human beings today have common ancestors (our origin) who lived in Morocco, North Africa, in Ethiopia, and South Africa some 300,000 years ago. We are, indeed, relatives!
To all people of goodwill (and others as well) a happy new year and peace, and may God bless us all around the globe.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, medical missionary, chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1996, whose other awardees include: President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, Mohammad Ali, David Letterman, educators and scientists (source: Wikipedia). Websites: FEUmedalumni.org, Today.SPSAtoday.com; on Amazon.com (“Where is My America?”); Email: [email protected].
