The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

The Pain In The Change of Diet

By Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor and Publisher

14 March 2001

Okay, we're past the major holidays (and my birthday) so now it is time to get serious with the diet and exercise.

My doctor gave me a wonderful valentine's present in the form of a letter. He said my cholesterol is high and I must go on a low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber diet with aerobic exercise and check back in several months. He could have at least waited until after Valentines Day to break the news.

In fact, I read his letter just after reading Henrietta Finch's article on "The Rules Of Chocolate." You remember, it said "If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly." Believe me, I never have that problem. But now, I find it's something I must do without, for my friend tells me chocolate is high in cholesterol.

I've been asking around what I should eat. I am told fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, but red meat no more than 3 times a week. I was also told oatmeal for breakfast lowers cholesterol.

So, every morning I've been having oatmeal and skim milk, and I'm jogging on the treadmill and feeling pretty good AFTER the jog, and pretty thirsty, too.

I am told that drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day is important. That is not counting the other liquids you LIKE to consume.

When I was at the restaurant Wednesday in Macomb, I was told that most order the grilled chicken sandwich without the bun and instead of french fries, substitute steamed broccoli. So, that is what I ordered and I was amazed how delicious it was. That evening, my husband met me at Perkins and I had Salmon and vegetables.

Then, my daughter and I went out the next day and ordered a low fat pasta with vegetables and grilled chicken. At home I had lettuce salad with veggies.

It was later Thursday evening when, the attack hit me. I wanted chocolate. I wanted something.... anything, I didn't know what, but I didn't want chicken, lettuce or oatmeal.

I wouldn't let myself eat anything, but instead, went to the treadmill for 30 minutes. Then I showered and got ready for bed.

Walking through the kitchen, I spied them:the Sterzings. The label said zero cholesterol and nothing else seemed to matter. I reasoned with myself, that if I finish this sack of chips off, it won't be tempting me anymore. That is what I did. I drank lots of water and went to bed feeling better.

I'm not going to do that again I told myself. (Did I mention about my little trip over to Ryan's Steak House one night.) Oh well, everyone deserves a night out once in awhile.

The start of any diet is hard, but gradually it gets better with time. And we're healthier for it.