Ask DJ Lyons: Introducing Portion Control Kid
69Portion Control Inner Kid
Spiritual Guidance Diet #1: Introducing Portion Control Inner Kid
Introduction: To lose weight, meet and team up with an imaginary inner child named Portion Control Kid. Each day, he or she urges you to exercise at least thirty minutes, drink eight glasses of water, follow the 1600- to 1800-calorie Food Pyramid diet, and maintain a daily practice of reaching for Spiritual Guidance. Here is his or her story.
We all have different reasons for wishing to lose weight. We also each have a different rationale or excuse for why we have not yet successfully lost weight up to this point in our lives. Obviously, there is something standing in our way. What obstacle stands between you and your ability to regain slender? What do you think it could be?
Let’s imagine that inside each of us lives an inner child who is in need of healing. We will assign the name of PORTION CONTROL INNER KID or PORTION CONTROL KID to this inner child.
Walking down this imaginary path, let’s recall a day when things seemed to go wrong. Perhaps your boss or a co-worker treated you unkindly in some way. Perhaps your spouse or significant other snapped at you or did not give you the tender attention that you would have liked to receive. Perhaps your child or students or some family member or friend instilled a feeling inside of you of frustration or unworthiness or some other negative feeling. Perhaps you are so behind on your do list that you feel overwhelmed and inadequate. In other words, there is something or somebody that makes you feel unhappy in some way.
Many people, this author included, will stuff or ignore those negative emotions by resorting to consuming comfort food in large portions. In that case, we have allowed that imaginary inner child named Portion Control Kid to get out-of-control.
Portion Control Inner Kid
Take a few moments to look at the portrait of our Imaginary Portion Control Inner Kid. Notice that this inner child, in order to remain in balance, needs us to consume a healthy amount of grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, milk or milk products, meat and beans, and water per day. He or she also needs us to exercise at least thirty minutes per day. However, it is often not enough to strive to take these daily measures if we ignore our spiritual health. The missing piece in many diet programs is that daily connection time for spiritual guidance.
When we have “one of those days,” if we will make some time to connect with the God of our understanding, we will have a much better chance to tame that negative emotion to the point we once again feel centered and in control.
Most diet programs stipulate that for successful weight loss, each of us needs to exercise at least thirty minutes per day so that we can burn more calories than we eat. Many programs also suggest that it is best to drink at least eight cups of water per day.
School children are taught about the food pyramid. For example, a child of nine to twelve years of age is urged to not only be active and exercise, they are taught to eat an 1800-calorie diet that consists of six ounces of grains, two and a half cups of vegetables, one and a half cups of fruit, five teaspoons of oil, three cups of milk or milk products, and five ounces of foods from the meat and beans category.
Breast Cancer Symbol
In my case, I am a breast cancer survivor. In other words, I am “in remission” aka cancer-free. To share a few details of this journey, I was diagnosed with Stage 3A malignant breast cancer on January 7, 2010. I had eight chemo sessions from February 4th through July 1st. On August 11th, I had a double mastectomy. All the cancer was removed from my body due to the power of prayer, a positive attitude, a sense of humor, a great support system, and a great treatment plan given by great doctors. As a preventative measure, I went through 35 days of daily radiation that ended on November 5th. An additional preventative measure is to take a low-dosage chemo tablet for five years. Now that I am cancer-free, I wish to take active steps to make certain I stay healthy and whole for the rest of my life.
My oncologist feels it is wise to wait one year after radiation prior to getting reconstruction surgery. Since I don’t want fake breasts attached to fat, I wish to safely and permanently lose sixty pounds.
As part of my breast cancer treatment plan, I meet with a nutritionist. She suggests that I strive to follow the 1600-calorie diet. As you can see from the picture of Portion Control Kid, the main difference between the 1600-calorie diet and the 1800-calorie diet is that I should only eat five ounces of grain rather than six, two cups of vegetables rather than two and a half, and a little over four and a half teaspoons of oil rather than five. My nutritionist also urges me to eat six small meals a day rather than three to keep my metabolism in better balance.
As I strived to follow her advice, I began to realize that the missing piece of the food pyramid is a spiritual guidance component. As a professional storyteller, I love the imagery of parables as a means to finding a visual way to describe what is going on inside of my body. Thus, I came up with the idea of the Portion Control Inner Kid as an analogy to incorporate this entire process. Hopefully, you will find this helpful as well.
It is my goal to spend some time each morning reaching for Spiritual Guidance in the form of prayer and meditation. Then I will quickly strategize my menu for the day that will incorporate the various categories of food in the proper portions. Consuming eight glasses of water each day is easy for me since I am a drink guzzler. Lastly, I will work out a way to include at least thirty minutes of exercise before I go to bed that night.
Should I find that some glitch happens that makes me feel tempted to let Portion Control Kid and I get out-of-control, I will make the time to feel and explore those negative emotions rather than giving in to being out-of-balance.
With this new series of articles, I will be sharing some of the spiritual insights I gain along with my efforts to regain my slender body of many years ago. I welcome you to travel this journey with me and share some insights of your own.
Resources & Helpful Websites:
Food Pyramid Toys & Games
 | PreK & up. The chart is divided into 6 colored sections for displaying the 95 nutrition cards (included) and an additional pocket to store cards when not in use. Nylon fabric with clear pockets. 40" x 41".
Amazon Price: $19.35 List Price: $24.99 |
 | Learning about good nutrition is fun with Food Group Bingo. Spin the spinner and try to find food from that group on your Bingo board. Be the first player to cover a complete line to win. Set includes four bingo cards, 36 markers, spinner and a guide.
Amazon Price: $3.00 List Price: $9.99 |
 | Your students will enjoy learning about nutrition with our #1 selling Food Guide Pyramid. You will effectively teach nutrition and good eating habits to children like never before. Powerful visual imagery reinforces the proper eating habits. Perfect for Head Start, Health Promotion, Adult Ed, Special Ed, Classrooms, Special programs and home use. Join the thousands that have seen their nutrition lessons enhanced with this set. Includes: 62 Pre-cut moveable pieces, 25" full color felt pyramid, Six basic food groups, FREE Lesson Guide & Class Material They are easy to use and are a great way to teach even the busiest children!
Amazon Price: $18.95 List Price: $21.95 |
 | Study the food pyramid with this flannel set that includes 41 pre-cut felt food pieces. Ages 3 yrs. +.
Amazon Price: $18.44 List Price: $21.95 |
 | Kids will eat up this active way to explore good nutrition and exercise. It includes 3 different games. This invites kids to match foods to food groups, be the first to finish an exercise challenge, or quiz themselves on nutrition facts and vocabulary. It includes photographs of foods and exercises to encourage and demonstrate healthy habits. This teaches a balanced diet with the most up-to-date food pyramid. It includes 48 double-sided food and exercise cards, 5' L x 4' H vinyl mat and activity guide. Amazon Price: $20.00 List Price: $36.99 |
 | Who's hungry? Mix and match to make a yummy meal. This 21-piece set is full of well-balanced, nutritious pretend food. All four food groups are individually boxed in sturdy wooden crates for storage, sorting, and stacking.
Amazon Price: $11.66 List Price: $19.99 |
 | Convenient, useful learning tools that decorate as they educate! Each chart measures 17" by 22" . Related lessons and activities are provided on the back of every chart.
Amazon Price: $1.87 List Price: $1.99 |
 | LER6503- Features: -Material: Nylon. -Encourages classification of 34 food magnets on the write-on / wipe-off magnetic board's food pyramid. -Promotes vocabulary development. -48 Double-sided, write - on / wipe - off, self - checking word and image cards. -2 Clear display or 13 labeled storage pockets. -Reflects the recent USDA My Pyramid food guidance system. -Includes real - life photography of food and exercise options to model healthy choices, 7 blank cards and activity guide. -Easel - style vinyl chart with hook - and - loop fasteners and carrying handle. -Folds flat for storage. -Suitable for grades K - 3. -Recommended for ages 5 - 8.
Amazon Price: $32.99 |
 | Teach kids healthy eating with 11" x 14" My Food Pyramid posters! Color with markers and match stickers to each food group. A fun take-home project perfect for the fridge.
Amazon Price: $19.99 |
Food Pyramid Books
 | Did you know that your nerve impulses are 1,000 times SLOWER than your computer? Or that it's normal to fart - as often as 20 times a day? Get the buzz on health and the human body with this fun and fascinating series.
Amazon Price: $3.75 List Price: $6.95 |
 | This book gives a first introduction to the food pyramid. Simple comparisons are used to explore this tool, and suggestions for healthy eating are offered.
Amazon Price: $5.99 |
 | Introducing young readers to healthy eating and living using the USDA Food Pyramid as a guideline, this timely book explains how to use the new chart while encouraging well-rounded perspectives on nutrition and exercise. Kids will learn how empowering it can be to think about what they eat! --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Amazon Price: $15.99 |
 | Kindergarten-Grade 3-This picture book about healthy eating begins at the beginning: food is necessary for one's well-being and it tastes good, too. Six categories of nutrients are introduced: carbohydrates, protein, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals. Digestion is described, as is the Food Guide Pyramid. Five recipes are given at the end. The large, square format invites readers in, beginning with a bright watercolor scene of a hungry family: the dog is howling, the baby is crying in her high chair, the cranky boy is bringing in the bread, and the mother and father are doing what they can to get everyone fed. This double-page spread says much more than the four lines of descriptive text. Every bit of information is illustrated with a large or small picture, sometimes accompanied by labels or dialogue balloons. Pictures of healthy food are everywhere, prepared by and eaten with great enjoyment by a variety of people. There's an amazing amount of information packed into this inviting, clear, and valuable book. Carolyn Jenks, First Parish Unitarian Church, Portland, ME Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Amazon Price: $4.50 List Price: $17.99 |
 | Putting the food pyramid to work sounds simple enough, but frequent changes in nutrition recommendations make it important to stay well informed and up-to-date. This revised second edition of Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy reveals: the latest information on the six food groups and how to incorporate them into a healthy diet how to make smart choices about sweets, fats, and dairy products how to shop smart at the grocery store and more.
Amazon Price: $1.78 List Price: $14.95 |
Breast Cancer Resources
 | Although countless books and pamphlets have been written for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, little exists for women who have finished their treatment. While many outsiders assume that the end of treatment brings only relief, women who have had breast cancer know that the post-treatment chapter in the breast cancer experience is one of the most difficult. Schnipper, a breast cancer survivor and an oncology social worker, helps prepare women for life after breast cancer by imparting information and advice in an intimate and direct manner. She covers all aspects of the experience, including physical recovery, coping with family members who expect everything to go back to normal immediately, fertility and fear of recurrence. The idea of transformation underlies the book, and she devotes a moving chapter to the different ways some women have gained or regained a sense of spirituality. As Schnipper writes, "Our lives have been changed in many ways and we have tried to be understanding and flexible about our possibilities.... Our hearts and souls, however, need time to catch up." In this volume, readers will find a guide that might help them better understand their infinitely complex circumstances and find hope.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Amazon Price: $5.35 List Price: $16.00 |
 | This expanded second edition includes updated information reflecting advances in breast cancer treatment made in the past decade. Weiss, a physician specializing in breast cancer and founder of Breastcancer.org, and her mother, a writer and breast cancer survivor, have included new chapters on mind-fog, bone health, intimacy and sex, as well as the latest on hormone therapies, drugs and other treatments, and diagnostic technology. The text also covers topics that seem more suited to those who have been recently diagnosed or are still undergoing treatment (i.e., choosing a physician, hair loss, breast reconstruction and traveling the maze of scans and tests). Some survivors may prefer to race to the later chapters, which focus on life style choices, environmental concerns and genetic factors, homing in and preventing and managing recurrence. The authors explain that while several of the most influential risk factors (family history, being a woman and getting older) can't be controlled, women have the power to modify such other risks as weight gain (a hazard for recurrence as well as lymphedema), exercise, diet, smoking and use of alcohol. Women at any stage of the breast cancer journey, including those grappling with emotional issues surrounding the chance of recurrence, will benefit from the Weisses' up-to-date and uplifting outlook. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Amazon Price: $10.69 List Price: $20.00 |
 | This is a remarkable book that's chock full of interesting things you may not know. It's aimed at the 2 million-plus women now living in the United States who've been treated for breast cancer, but I was fascinated with it and I'm not in that number. It contains clear explanations, real-life stories, straightforward diagrams, lists of resources and descriptions of surgery and implant options. It's the first Harvard doctor-approved workout book designed specifically for breast cancer survivors and the first to address each type of surgery and treatment with separate, appropriate exercise prescriptions. In fact, the book contains almost 100 pages of recommended exercises, all designed to help combat the heavy toll taken on a woman's body by breast cancer treatments. It's a collaboration between Master Reebok trainers Joy Prouty and Josie Gardiner, health writer Francesca Coltrera and Dr. Carolyn Kaelin, the founding director of the Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Coltrera did the lion's share of writing and her style is pleasantly conversational and accessible, especially considering the dense medical information that's imparted. True story: I found myself engrosssed while reading about the lymphatic system. It's fascinating! Who knew?
Amazon Price: $7.47 List Price: $18.95 |
 | Silver, an editor at U.S. News & World Report, speaks encouragingly in this heartfelt, useful guide for men whose wives or girlfriends have been diagnosed with breast cancer, as was his wife, Marsha, in 2001. Silver, who consulted with surgeons and oncologists for this book, first helps readers deal with the diagnosis, addressing men's stereotypical reactions (usually saying little, followed by overbearing urges to fix the problem), then advising them how to behave (ask questions and, more importantly, listen). He nicely interweaves comments from men and women who have gone through breast cancer diagnosis, setting them off with pull quotes and how-to sidebars such as "Husbanding Her Energies" and "Caring for the Caregiver." His advice is simple and sound: rather than saying "Cheer up, honey, the doctor said things aren't that bad," Silver recommends, "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" He discusses the surprisingly numerous cases in which men have left their spouses, discusses the importance of wives having an "appointment pal" and advises on explaining cancer to children. Silver also smartly examines the various treatments and suggests ways for readers to find sexual intimacy after mastectomy. This guide is an invaluable complement to Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book and John Link's The Breast Cancer Survival Manual.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Amazon Price: $4.50 List Price: $15.95 |
 | A book as uplifting as the disease it discusses is tragic, Uplift is an inspiring collection of voices of breast cancer survivors. Barbara Delinsky, author of The Woman Next Door and other novels, and herself a survivor of breast cancer, presents inspirational snippets from more than 300 women sharing breast cancer tips and experiences. Reading this book is like listening to the friendly hubbub of a crowd of women all offering advice and comments. They share practical tips about comfortable clothing after mastectomy, treatments for radiation burns, nausea remedies, wigs, advice for friends, and more. They share stories of supportive husbands, boyfriends, and family members who continue to love them. "I will love you till the day I die, whether you have one breast or none," says one husband. "Breasts don't laugh, smile, share brilliance, or give kindness," says another man. Every experience is positive and supportive, but not gushy. The humor chapter will make you laugh aloud. Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $15.00 |
 | In a valuable guide for women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. John Link helps sort through the confusion and the fear, by explaining such things as how to get a second opinion and how to understand a pathology report.
Particularly valuable is Link's step-by-step description of how breast cancer is characterized, or staged, according to tumor size, hormone receptors, and other factors--and how that affects prognosis. As a breast cancer specialist at Long Beach and Orange Coast Memorial hospitals in Southern California, Link knows the medical jargon and what it means. Although his writing style is at times a bit jargony and difficult to read, a breast cancer patient will willingly read and reread every word. The book also includes useful chapters on diet, exercise, herbs, and vitamins; managing the side effects of treatment; healing's mind-body connection; and organizing medical records and keeping a personal journal or log.
Ending on an encouraging note, Link writes, "You should know that most women today are cured of breast cancer. They undergo treatment, become survivors, and go on with their lives. But having breast cancer is certainly a wake-up call to many and may be for you. Life now has added uncertainty." This step-by-step manual helps you navigate the uncertainty and become a survivor, both physically and psychologically. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Amazon Price: $5.68 List Price: $16.00 |
 | This addition to the popular Chicken Soup series should help anyone diagnosed with or undergoing treatment for breast cancer, as well as their close friends and family members. Divided into categories such as love, healing, challenge and courage, the wide-ranging first-person accounts set a positive but realistic tone. Donna St. Jean Conti describes how a saleswoman, seeing Conti's scar from a mastectomy, whispered that she had found a lump in her breast and asked her for advice on what to do. Beverly Vote writes about the difficult problem of holding on to her sense of herself as a woman after undergoing a mastectomy and of how her husband's devotion helped her. In the face of her beloved sister Meemee's diagnosis, Barbara Curtis dealt with her fears by cooking and freezing healing foods for Meemee during her treatment (Curtis shares a recipe for Chemo Popsicles to fight nausea). Jennie Nash details how difficult it was to handle the worry about who would raise her children if she died. The editors touch all bases by including a useful account of a male breast cancer survivor. B&w drawings. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Amazon Price: $6.33 List Price: $14.95 |
 | It's hard to believe that a breast cancer guide can be fun, but breast cancer survivor Cohen and oncologist Gelfand have produced a book that combines medical information with the kind of warm, funny, rueful sharing a woman gets from a good talk with her girlfriends. The authors understand that surviving an illness as emotionally and physically traumatic as breast cancer requires help not only with big issues but also with apparently trivial ones. In between solid and well-summarized discussions on diagnostic, treatment and reconstruction options, they share a plethora of tips on the smaller but still difficult problems faced by disease victims, such as finding the right post-chemo headgear (silk slides off a bald skull, so cotton is better). They prepare readers for everything from insensitive remarks (when Cohen told one acquaintance she was starting chemotherapy that day, he replied, "So I guess you're not available for lunch") and hormonal swings to insurance problems. The tone is upbeat but realistic, sympathetic but never patronizing; "Rules of the Road" sections directed to friends and family give them advice on how to offer useful support. This wise, balanced book is a welcome addition to a woman's medical care library, offering not just warm, intelligent hand-holding for breast cancer victims but also useful insights for anyone with a friend or family member suffering from this frightening disease. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Amazon Price: $4.50 List Price: $14.00 |
Diet, Exercise, & Spiritual Guidance Links:
- Ask DJ Lyons: Introducing Portion Control Kid
Introduction: To lose weight, meet and team up with an imaginary inner child named Portion Control Kid. Each day, he or she urges you to exercise at least thirty minutes, drink eight glasses of water, follow... - Ask DJ Lyons: See myself as Jesus would see me
Introduction: Christ Jesus was able to heal a man with a withered hand because he saw the man as he truly was a man with two healthy hands. Similarly, we need to strive to see ourselves as Jesus would see... - Ask DJ Lyons: Getting down to brass tacks
Introduction: Along with Food Portion Kid, discover some strategies to burn 100 calories the easy way, learn about which foods fit each stripe of the Food Pyramid, find out a tip for drinking your eight... - Ask DJ Lyons: A Healthy way to start your day with Healthful Breakfast Muffins
Introduction: Are you striving to find tasty ways to follow the food pyramid eating plan and nurture your body with a nourishing breakfast option? After studying several muffin recipes that utilized the use of... - Ask DJ Lyons: Celebrate each sign of success along your path
Introduction: As you approach the end of 2010 and welcome the beginning days of 2011, lets pause a moment to celebrate any success stories you have to share about this weight loss journey you and I are... - Ask DJ Lyons: Can you turn healthy food into comfort food?
Introduction: Should you feel motivated or driven to consume comfort food, perhaps you can at least control what foods or drinks you select. Here are several suggestions for ways you can turn healthy food into... - Ask DJ Lyons: The Rapunzel Diet Adventure
Introduction: Many people might imagine that to follow a plan that involves weight loss plus fitness efforts would be no fun; therefore, we might turn into a character that could be aptly named No-Fun-zel.... - Ask DJ Lyons: Align yourself with your end goal
Introduction: One method to more easily reach your weight loss goal is to fully align yourself with the part of you who already weighs that magic number. The more you align yourself with that being, the more... - Ask DJ Lyons: Grain options from the Food Pyramid
Allow me to introduce you to the imaginery Portion Control Inner Kid. As a professional storyteller, I love stories and parables. I also love analogies. They help me get a grasp on tough topics like nutrition,...
