Writing Diagnostic

Jane Watson
Professor Leslie Jewkes
English 201
5 Sep 2012

Writing Diagnostic

I made the fairly recent commitment to eliminate all processed and junk food from my diet. I'd always had this unhealthy addiction to food, whether it be by thinking about it constantly, or starving myself, or eating too much. Gathered with a love for my body, I finally arrived to the conclusion that I should begin doing it right. 

Granted, it wasn't the most difficult transition for me as I'd been an active individual the last six years and had never joined the alcohol or cigarette club. My vice was the same as it is for most people I assume, the love for soda and sugar. Soda and sugar are arguably as bad for you as other types of drugs, and I'd always known it but never took the necessary steps to eradicate my use of it. I would drink a soda, love it but feel horrible for doing it. Caught in this vicious cycle, it was always in my mind that I needed to quit, especially for my love of running. 

Fueled by my desire to be a faster runner and to be friendlier to my insides, I decided the first thing I would do is cut back on my soda. We'll rewind to June, when I usually drank two to three cans (12 oz) a day. I had a serious love for the stuff, and when I returned from a long and exhaustive run I went right for a cold one. I figured it would be too difficult to just quit, so I told myself I'd have just a few every week. Once day one passed me by and I had no soda, it felt like I'd overcome a huge obstacle-just getting through a single day without the sweet and satisfying drink to get me by. So, I decided to do it again, still telling myself I was allowed to drink some if I needed to. Well, two weeks went by and I didn't have a single can or drop. In fact, I still had a full twelve pack in my refrigerator, which was a five second walk away. I think I was able to go cold turkey because I told myself I wasn't going cold turkey. The taste of victory after each day was enough to make it easier and easier as time went on. 

In the meantime, I had also quit fast food. Honestly, that part was a lot easier than the soda, as I didn't really like fast food to begin with. I still had to make the choice to quit, as my husband and I would go to Sonic maybe twice or three times a month, or maybe Jack in the Box one a month. I threw that out no problem. I drive by fast food now and get sick to my stomach. 

So, June and July passed by and I had successfully rid myself of soda and any other sugary beverages and all fast food. As a person who was addicted to sugar and crap, or so I thought, I quite easily gave up processed food. I used to buy frozen pizza or burritos and never thought twice about eating fruits or vegetables. One day shortly after I stopped drinking soda, I took my husband to the grocery store and loaded the cart with cucumbers, salad, avocados, bananas, oranges, apples, pears and my favorite-grapes. Now, if history was to repeat itself, this new little diet fad I was doing would burn itself out after about six or seven days. I don't know what was different about this time, but I've been buying fruits and vegetables regularly for two and a half months now and I have yet to look behind me. I don't buy anything processed. No white breads. No ground beef. I've never had so much fiber, protein and vitamins in my life. 

I changed my diet because I wanted to be healthier and to see if it would affect my running skills. I injured my leg, so sadly, I haven't been able to test my progress at all. Though I inadvertently dropped six pounds (which after a changed diet of three months isn't that much weight) and for every pound you drop, you're twelve seconds faster per mile. I've always known that but now can actually put that knowledge to the test. That is, as soon as my leg starts playing with me again. 

I hope this diet change is going to be a permanent part of my life. I really think it will be. I usually stick to the things I love. Like most changes I've made that stuck, I did them with little forethought. My love for running, as an example, began not with a resolution or a premeditated plan. I was told by my boyfriend at the time, while I was eating out of a big bag of M&M's, that I would get fat if I kept eating so much candy. While it was true I ate tons of candy, I resented his comment. After all, I'd always been a candy eater and had never gained weight. Regardless, the very next day I decided I would go running to prove to him I would not get fat. It's been six years ago since that day, and I have since run three marathons, three half marathons and countless 10K's and 5K's. It's anybody's guess why I am just now incorporating the diet aspect of running into my hobby.