ANOTHER BIG D

Ever since I can remember I have suffered from SADS,(season activated disorder, or winter blues) during the cold months. Mine is not critical, but I do tend to get "down", sleep more, have less energy, gain weight, withdraw socially, all symptoms of the disorder.

What I want to do when it occurs is to just give in to it and go to bed or hang out around the house in my pjs. But that is exactly what I shouldn't do. So I have tried a number of ways to combat it. I plan, if possible, to take a winter trip to a warm, sunny place; I take extra Vitamin D, and have even tried antidepressants. Nothing has really worked effectively. When I get it, I have it and have to live with it.

Last month when I went to the doctor for my biannual check up, I mentioned the problem . My symptoms seem to have increased this year and started earlier than usual. She told me exactly what I did not want to hear: 1) Get outside more to get whatever light is available and 2) Exercise!!! Of course, both can be accomplished at the same time by taking a brisk walk.

I have accidentally happened upon a method that brings relief from it: the diet that I wrote about yesterday. So I will pass on what I am doing in the hope of helping others.

For breakfast I have fruit, any kind, and as much as I want. Since I rarely eat breakfast, this is new to me. Usually I eat an orange, but I have strawberries, bananas, grapes, cherries, and apples on hand if I would rather have that.

For lunch I have some sort of vegetable(s), often a huge salad filled with lots of things in it. I have always considered a salad as a side dish, so I have had to learn to make it large and have various combinations of ingredients.

At night I eat meat and vegetables, no bread or dessert. Afterwards I often eat some more fruit. If I get hungry between meals, I eat more fruit or a handful of nuts. One of the secrets for success has been to have a large variety of everything.

So what have been the results? The first week I lost 8 pounds, and over the last four days, two more have been shed. I know the loss will slow down and be more gradual, but here is the kicker: I feel great and I haven't even begun exercising yet!