two points of view
I have been reading Thomas and “Katchy71″ exchanging points of view, and
would like to offer this observation: That both are absolutely correct, they
are
just not speaking the same language!
Thomas, like many of us that have been following the BTD for an extended
period, has progressed from Eating Right to Living Right. There is a holistic
aspect to Dr. D’s theories. When one reads his books, one finds that he
discusses not only diet/exercise, but issues such as stress. The modern world
we live
in is comprised of far more stress, and far more complexity, than our minds
have yet evolved to process. Thus those of us who have assiduously followed
and practiced the Live Right principles tend to have also meandered into studies
of mind/body connections, studies of the principles of wellness, and have
spent a great deal of time examing and re-ordering our personal values and
priorities. As a result, many of us have made radical changes not only in our
weight and health, but also in our life choices and directions. Thomas tends to
address specific questions from this holistic point of view. Thus, an answer
may appear to be judgmental, when in fact the answer is much more than specific
dietary/endocrinological points. His answers will encompass the mind/body
connection and wellness philosophy and practice. It may look like he’s not
answering the question, but he is, and offering a little more. It’s as if you
asked for the time, and he threw in an explanation of the history of the clock.
Katchy has been a fabulous new addition to this group, and I have been
reading her posts with great interest. (I don’t know why I assume Katchy is
female:
possibly sounds like “Kathy”). For those of us who follow this way of
eating and living, we often encounter difficulty in locating independent
corroboration of Dr. D’s findings and teachings. This group has been a forum
for the
exchange of information that members access around the globe, and share with
all. This is helpful as we all seek to understand how this diet works, how we
may best apply the principles to our own lives, and how to educate others and
pass on what we know. These obstacles come from various places, but seem to be
from two major sources. The first is that western medicine and science has
generated a body of knowledge about various physiological processes that is not
complete. This may have to do with the fact that most nutritional research
seems to be funded by parties who have their own vested interests, akin to
historical conflicts in the tobacco industry’s studies of smoking. The second
big
obstacle, that was mentioned here recently, is the cacophony of
information/misinformation/total nonsense that bombards us wherever we go. Eat
chocolate
cake and lose ten pounds this weekend! (sure, just chop off your head).
Katchy is providing a valuable service, in that she is asking questions, and
pursuing a scientific line of reasoning and research, that will help all of us
build our foundation of knowledge and understanding. In my own case, I
really have my own anecdotal evidence that the BTD works. I can also discuss
Dr.
D’s theories and research, and some independent sources that support his ideas.
In the world of science, a theory must be verified independently in many
different ways to be accepted. We all know that there is a certain amount of
resistance from those like the big grain producers, who have an economic
interest in keeping us away from simple meals of meat/veg. Yet we must
recognize
that there is also a bonafide and totally credible expectation that all theories
be independently tested, questioned, and examined for exceptions and defects.
I believe Dr. D will ultimately be vindicated, and I support all questioning
and research that will lead us in that direction.
Thomas and Katchy, you are both furthering these important principles, and I
hope you will both remain enthusiastic and active with our group. Thank you.
March 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
In a message dated 9/27/2003 7:16:43 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
katchy71@… writes:
Most of us do not and certainly did not in the beginning of our trying the
diet. We were mostly skeptical because we had been on several other diets and
been fooled by people who used junk science to convince us that their systems
worked. Many, like me, came here because we were physically in trouble and
needed the power of eating the proper foods to regain our health. I too had
read
Dr Ds dad’s book in the past and tried to follow his system but it was just
too hard.
We have just been on this diet for years and “know” that it works. The proof
is in the pudding. Do the research. Ask us questions. If we seem to be
preaching or lecturing just look passed that because we’re really not. We’ve
just answered these questions many times. The same questions we asked in the
beginning. People used to just tell me to trust in the diet and stop asking
about obscure foods. It was frustrating because I grew up eating many of the
avoid foods but as time went by I saw that they were right. Stay well within
the
diet and after feeling the benefits and regaining your health THEN explore.
Sounds like you’re doing it right and getting started before you have something
life threatening.
The diet is not for the feint-hearted and is troublesome to other people,
especially during the holidays. That special person or relative who wants to
plea
se you when you come to visit can get very surly when they ask you what they
should fix for you to eat.
Where I used to advertise the diet to everyone, I’ve grown weary of people
who try to shoot holes in it because they just don’t want to have to follow it.
I can understand your dealing with your friends. Believe me. I don’t have
to advertise the diet anymore since most of my friends introduce me as that guy
on the weird diet.
March 17th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Maddviking:
I’m about 5 months or so into this. I did it for immediate health reasons,
IBS to be exact, and discovered so many more valid reasons along the way.
I was skeptical myself but so far Dr. D has been totally on the mark.
Giving up wheat was the hardest thing. As I grew up in an Italian-American
household. I have never been a fan or corn or potatoes, actually I like
neither.
At my place of work, every friday we have have a coffee klatsch and it is
someone’s turn to bring in something every week. Most people bring in
bready stuff or sweet stuff, because this is what most people like and do.
I still go to these but to see everyone at the beginning chomping away and
making yummy noises was very hard.
Now, I am proud to say, that it does not affect me at all. I can see people
eating all this stuff and I am no longer tempted, knowing that wheat was
the main offender in my IBS and what it did to me. People pity me some
times and apologize for passing it around. I say there is no need to
apologize because I am not tempted at all. And that is the honest truth. I
tell them I know what this kind of stuff does to my stomach and that I
simply cannot eat it.
My last klatsch will be in late October. Since I cannot eat what anyone
else brings I am giving it up. And no one faults me for this, which is
really great of them. I am bringing a wheat/gluten free klatsch just to
educate people. They are all gourmands there so I think they will
appreciate it.
But this diet does require great courage and the ability to withstand a lot
of temptation.
The benefits have far, far outweighed the possibility that I can no longer
have certain things.
How do you do it? I am asked. I do it because I have to, I answer, these
things make me sick.
And I do not want to be sick anymore.
This diet is a true education in itself. And I am still learning. I’ve been
on it long enough now to feel
what is healthful for me to eat and what is not. I can *feel* it when I
eat, even unknowingly, an avoid. I know you all know this feeling but it is
hard to explain to non-BTD people. But I am still honing it down through
the help of my naturopath. There is a very, very good chance that I have a
very low functioning thyroid (I have not lost any weight on this plan and
will probably need to correct through naturpathic medication — I love to
much of nori anyway, it feels so good), a low functioning pancreas for
which I may need digestive enzymes for a while, and celiac disease. Saliva
and stool tests are in, the full panel of metabolic blood tests have yet to
go. All this will help me to hone this down even further. Then I will find
out whether I am a secretor or a non (I really suspect non, the more I read
and understand).
But to sum up, this diet is not weird. This works for me where nothing else
did before.
And finally at the age of 34, I am correcting my problems and ailments
without invasive surgery or toxic, stomach-upsetting medication. I’ll share
it with you because I can be smug, though I’d never be smug or preachy with
the outside world. But this kind of preventative care through nutrition is
the way to go and I am proud of it, proud at the expense of the western
medical world.
People have asked me about the BTD but none of them want to start on it or
discount it. I tell them a doctor put me on this course and tell them a bit
about my debilitating IBS and what drove me to this, how this is not a fad
and how I can never go back to my old ways now. They sympathize with me but
never try it themselves, it’s too hard, they say.
I feel so good and that keeps me on course. As do my naturopath and others
who feel the same way about this kind of medicine. As does this group.
Not for the faint of heart, indeed.
Allison
March 18th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
In a message dated 9/29/2003 2:46:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sfor58@… writes:
I don’t either. Thank God for Deflect during the holidays. I try to
minimize the damage and I just go back to the diet when I get home. I have a
threshold where I can get away with some things but if I go too far I have hell
to
pay. Each of us is an individual with individual levels of health so we each
need to find out what we can tolerate. There is no one shoe fits all here.
March 18th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
In a message dated 9/29/2003 3:56:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
alysoun@… writes:
They’re all “too busy”.
March 19th, 2007 at 3:40 am
Tom:
Gee, thanks Tom.
I’ve got to say that I am awfully proud of myself as well!
Feeling good is a truly amazing feeling — feeling healthy, having your
body be a friend instead of an enemy is also very important. Once you feel
this way, can you ever really truly go back tothe old ways?
There is no alternative way of eating that will work for me — that in
itself is the most powerful motivator!!
Allison
March 19th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Very good post, Allison,
I am approaching my 5th year next month, (my, how time flies) and would never
got back to my old habits. Of course we all “cheat” now and then, but Dr. D.
mentioned some time ago, if you are not sick you can go with 85 to 90 % (if I
remember right) compliance and be fine. Myself, I do better than that and hardly
ever miss any of the avoids, ‘cept chocolate.Just had some, LOL.
Keep on keeping on,
Emmi
March 19th, 2007 at 11:48 am
I find it’s a good thing to pause once in a while and acknowledge the value
Blessings to all of you and Thomas thanks for always ending your notes with
this group provides. It’s such a perfect way to dialogue among fellow O’s
and stay encouraged and learning. Each of you has a little textual, but
special place in my heart. You have helped keep me nudged on this path of
health and it makes me sit back and smile on a night like this
“Love Thomas.”
Tom Wilson, 39
Type O, Non-Secretor
Arlington, TX