Though I’m thankful that the truth has finally made its way to the mainstream media, in my opinion it’s a bit too little too late. The effects of many of these harmful chemical cocktails saturating our environment, and drugs being sold irresponsibly, has been known for years by both scientists and laymen who read.
Back when bodybuilders and other active people were told in the 90′s not to store our water bottles in warm and/or sunny places, and to not nuke our fish and vegetables except in certain kinds of plastic or glass, we knew something was up. Multiple Learning and Discovery Channels’ specials later, we were already afraid to feed our babies from plastic bottles. For some of us, running and walking outside, and using public gyms meant we were still inhaling and rolling in goodness knows what, but back then we were mostly doing what we could.
For people like me who were sensitive to pesticides and hormonal birth control, not a whole lot could be done after the fact of exposure but to try to have a better future. So that’s what I did. It may be important to me as an activist, but as a human being trying to survive in this world, it didn’t and doesn’t matter to me whether or not thyroid damage or a psychological pattern caused the rapid weight gain. Remaining in charge of my health was what stopped it and rolled most of it back.
Being very aware of my body I had a ‘gutt feeling’ what had made me sick. So once I figured out what was wrong, I set about trying to find ways to minimize and if I could, reverse the damage.
Even though pesticides and nasty toxic chemicals are everywhere and in almost everything, this really isn’t something totally new. We’ve had bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of bugs, not to mention very natural toxins all around us since the beginning. So the idea is basically to choose the lesser of the evils.
If you can afford to, eat organic foods, and choose the milder options for anything else in your lifestyle. Use vinegar, not chlorine, to kill mold and other fungus in your home. Save the bleach specifically for bacteria. You might even want to alternate them every week or two.
Try to go with the least amount of processing. When you can, make as much as you can for yourself. Barter things you know how to make with others who know how to make things.
It’s harder in an urban environment where most households are dual income, but do what you can. See this site for ideas.
Then get out more. Seriously. When the weather permits, go out and do stuff. A little sun (not too much) will do you some good. So will some fresh air.
Boost your immune system the good old fashioned way, by getting hurt sometimes. Back before there were antibiotics, many tribes tattooed and scarified themselves, or did very painful rites of passage, that basically culled the weak, and shocked the immune system into overdrive. You don’t have to make yourself look like a crocodile, but a bit of skinned knee won’t kill you or your kids. Do some stuff that will bruise you and skin you a bit. Get bitten by some mosquitoes and the occasional spider. We have the technology now that you shouldn’t lose a foot from stubbing your toe, but that few minutes between the injury and the alcohol will tell your body that life isn’t supposed to be lived in a sterile bubble.
Use that efficient metabolism to your advantage. Since your hormones and organs are triggering you to be big anyway, why not be big in a healthy way? Why not have some killer abs under that conveniently soft pillow hanging on your torso? Guess what though? The stronger and more muscle you have, the better your body will burn and distribute fat. You might be less big in time, or figure out that being big isn’t so bad when you can lift your sofa. Your downstairs neighbors will thank you for it while you’re sweeping.
Have pets. Having animals around means that you will most certainly deal with plenty of dirt and parasites, and that your kids’ bodies will most likely learn the difference between lemon juice and strichnine. You’ll also get alot of love and hugs and have creatures who depend on you to be healthy and happy even when they’re no longer babies. Love and laughter helps you heal faster and feel better. Dogs definitely make you have to get out more.
These are just a few of the ways you can learn to adapt and survive in this screwed up, polluted world. It’s working well for me, and I hope it does for you too.
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