Diet…that evil four-letter word that makes everyone cringe. The work has been much maligned in not only the fat-o-sphere, but in society in general. The main definition of diet is “The usual food and drink of a person or animal.” It has morphed into being equated with weight loss. And that is a shame.

Weight loss, in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing either, if it’s done right. (And I know that I will catch hell for that statement.) Weight loss can be beneficial if done properly and gradually. What I don’t like is the fact that an industry of charlatans and shysters has co-opted the innate need to “fit in” and have developed it into a cookie cutter template for how everyone should look.

Furthermore, that same template is applied by the medical profession. The use of BMI and weight-height ratios have made some peoples’ lives “living Hells” trying to find a way to get down to a weight that is listed on a piece of paper that defines how much they should weigh. It takes out a number of factors that can’t be accounted for on paper.

But I am setting out to reclaim the word “diet” for everyone. Instead of “I am on a diet.” My new statement will be “My diet consists of…”

Also, I am returning to healthy eating if it kills me. As a lap band patient, I find that I am prone o eat foods that digest easy and give me little resistance. So, my diet currently consists of (see, I told you I would use it) such items as mashed potatoes, ice cream, chocolate (that digest particularly well) and convenience store cappuccinos. Not very healthy.

I plan to add vitamin and mineral supplements to my regimen. Lots of Whey protein as well. I need to consume over 100 grams of protein a day and I’m not getting that with my current habits. As far as vitamins, I will shun the multivitamins for several supplements. They worked for my Dad, they’ll work for me.

I guess that what I am trying to get across is that I am not dieting; I am not going to buy into the hype.  I am developing a plan for healthy living. That includes exercise, healthy eating, cleaner living, physical and mental check-ups, and not worrying about where I should be weight wise or when I should be there. In 15 months I have dropped over 210lbs (95kgs). I did the lap band out of necessity because I had serious health issues that I have discussed in previous blogs. But I am still 450 lbs. I am now mobile and I am better than I have been in a decade. Everything now is gravy, so to speak.

I am also researching. I am currently reading (and will probably be referring to this book a lot in 2010) Dr. Linda Bacon’s book Health At Every Size: The Surprising Truth About Your Weight. I have mentioned this before, and I have read it, but now it’s time to implement it.

I may lose weight (quite frankly, I don’t see how I can’t) but my goal is to feel better physically. That will take some work. And after a lifetime of sitting back and allowing society to dictate how and who I should be, I am taking control and I am dictating the terms. My terms!