Notes from February 16 Meltdown Meeting

by Tami Newton

Last night was a wonderful Crosby Meltdown meeting at Crosby Church. Our speaker, Dr. Rob Rosenbaum, spoke about addiction and explained that addictive behavior is controlled by our mid-brain area, instead of our frontal cortex. The frontal cortex controls thinking and logical reasoning. Because the mid-brain takes over with addictions, our body does not warn us to beware of those things that are harmful for us like tobacco, alcohol, drugs and too much food. Until you realize that you have a problem and change the way your mind works, you cannot rid yourself of your addiction.

Once you begin working on your addiction, you need to be careful to recognize trigger foods, like ice cream, chocolate cake, etc. You also need to do something to keep reminding you of your goals like attending weight support meetings, forming a support group, etc. Dr. Rob explained that unhealthy eating destroys our body and likened our body to a house and a car because our body is our home and our transportation.

Once you have a vision to make a change in your eating and exercise habits, you need to ask yourself the following question: "What can't I stand any longer?" and then act accordingly. He explained that a vision involves an actual concrete plan or purpose, whereas a dream is just a hope that is not substantiated. He urged us to begin stating goals as if they had already happened.

Dr. Rosenbaum then proceeded to share his "Dr. Rob's ..No Nonsense--Commonsense, Top 10 List for a Healthier, Skinnier You".

10. Journal your food intake, exercise, water and anything that will measure your success at your new program.

9. Workout 30 minutes every day.

8. Prepare and plan ahead. Get your food ready beforehand and plan your meals ahead on a weekly basis. Pack your workout clothes the night before. The more you plan ahead, the more you will succeed.

7. Do not eat fast food.

6. Do not eat food fast. You need to give your hypothalamus enough time to register that you are full.

5. Eat five colors per day. Brown, black and white do not count as colors. Another words, get your fruits and vegetables.

4. Do not drink cokes, sodas or energy drink. These liquids squeeze your adrenal gland.

3. Eat organic, when you can. Organic food are those that contain no pesticides, no antibiotics and no hormones. Foods prepared with hormones contain endocrine disruptors which mimic hormones and do not allow normal hormones to be absorbed in the cells.

2. Do not clean your plate.

1. Look at your food labels and if any of the first three ingredients contain the ending "-ose", it is not good for you. "Ose" means sugar and it is an inflammatory food and causes many of the illnesses we have today. When eating carbohydrates, make sure you eat those with a low glycemic index because they are slow to digest.

Dr. Rosenbaum reminded us that we always have the power of choice. He said that it is ok to be hungry when you start your new healthy way of eating because your body is losing weight. He told us that if we do not want to eat something then do not buy it.

Dr. Jean Francois Borney will be our speaker next week. He was a chemist in the petrochemical industry for over 20 years and now teaches science and math to school children. Dr. Borney came to the meeting last night and asked us to all bring the label from our favorite food. He is going to analyze the ingredients of these foods next week. He will also teach us to shop at Wal Mart and make healthy choices. We will also be asked to participate in a special matching game.