I remember many years go when I was a geography student at a College of Education, learning for the first time about how the introduction of certain pesticides, by destroying just one part of a food chain, could lead ultimately to the destruction of whole habitats. It was my first real understanding of a topic which we hear so much about in these days – the balance of nature.  Interference with our finely-tuned environment, so as try and solve some immediate problem, often has undesirable knock-on effects which lead to catastrophic irreversible outcomes.

Our bodies can also be likened to mini eco-systems with each part created to work in perfect synchronisation with all the other components. If one part ceases to function correctly it has a knock-on effect on all other parts and can result in a whole catalogue of health problems. In these days most of us understand how excessive weight can put us at risk of developing many diseases – diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, to name but a few. But weight gain in itself isn’t the root cause, because it, too, is a symptom of other things which are going wrong in our system.

Fit For Life Forever is a programme whereby we seek God’s help and understanding about these root causes which have upset our body’s natural balance.  He is the One who created us and it is from Him, as well as medical science, that we can receive wisdom which will help restore harmony and help us regulate our weight, if indeed that is an issue.

Just recently I have been doing a lot of research into certain medical conditions which, in varying degrees, seem to impact on weight gain, especially insulin resistance and (for women) the dynamics of menopause. For instance, one of the things I have read is this: ‘Your body’s hormonal balance is like a symphony. Insulin is one of the loudest and most important instruments. When its metabolism goes wrong, it throws off everything else.’  (Marcelle Pick) But at the root of insulin resistance there is often an over-exposure to refined carbohydrates not only white flour and white sugar, but the ‘hidden’ starches and added sugars we find in most processed convenience foods. Could it perhaps be, if we compare this with the analogy of the balance of nature referred to in my first paragraph, that by seeking to remedy an immediate problem – lack of time to prepare things ourselves – we have come up with a whole range of foods which, over time, have disturbed our personal eco-systems.  Research is also beginning to show direct links between insulin resistance and menopausal weight gain: insulin resistance disrupts fat metabolism. When the cells won’t absorb the extra glucose, the liver has to convert it into fat. Fat cells are loaded with glucose receptors, so this is a vicious cycle. Ironically, while the insulin-resistant woman is gaining weight, her cells are actually “starved” for glucose, so she feels exhausted and tends to eat carbohydrate-heavy foods in search of energy. This, of course, only exacerbates the problem! Then we can add to this mix the negative effects of stress and the adrenal fatigue which our body experiences as a result: When adrenal fatigue sets in many people experience symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, fuzzy thinking, depression, cravings and mood swings. Once the adrenals become depleted, it can lead to adrenal exhaustion and much more serious health concerns. 

All this is a real learning curve and I am finding the whole subject not only fascinating but far more complex than I had ever realised.  However, I am convinced that for the vast majority of us, such health problems are not inevitable and that by maintaining a healthy diet, exercise and allowing God to deal with our inner emotional issues which directly or indirectly cause us to overeat, we can overcome the challenges of living in this increasingly toxic world.