Having lost over two stone by following the Dukan diet, I’m thinking that Dr Pierre Dukan’s should put me on commission because of the number of people giving his method a try! Go for it guys – just stick to the guidelines to stay healthy.
However, it’s interesting that some of the outspoken people who (sometimes rather insensitively) tell you that you ‘need to loose weight’ are the same ones who say ‘Are you ill? You are looking too thin!’. (It’s a good job I didn’t do it for them).
What’s more, it’s often the same people who point out that you are losing their hair or going grey – as if the fact had somehow escaped your attention.
Yet, these dear folk would probably be the first to be offended, if you were to make a personal comment about their personal appearance.
Being in the public eye, I guess I learn not to be an overly sensitive flower … but what about those who are? It’s no wonder that some people end up with eating disorders, or become depressed or insecure, because they don’t feel comfortable in their own skin.
I’m the first person to have a joke and to tease my friends, but we need to really know those we are having fun with and to be very sure they know when we are being serious, or not. We also need to be conscious of when harmless banter can drift into insensitive or hurtful jibes.
Of course keeping healthy is important, but we can get screwed up about appearance. There’s a verse in the bible, ‘… The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ (1 Samuel 16:7)
Perhaps I should be more concerned about I’m like on the inside, rather than outside. What’s more, I believe I need to nurture the same concern for others.
Why not graciously challenge careless and ugly criticisms today, and compliment and affirm the inner beauty we see in others today?
Tony
PS. Should you meet Dr Dukan, please tell him where to forward my commission!
