Jan 23 2009
A Letter to My Teenage, Non-Diabetic Self
Dear Me,
There are a number of things I could write to you as you enter your 18th year that would be of great use to you by the time you hit your 37th. I could tell you which stocks to buy and when to sell them, but by doing so you’d likely negate the effect in the highly variable world of finance. I could tell you which relationships not to screw up and which not to get into, but each has taught you/me a lesson, and I wouldn’t be the person I am without it. What I will tell you about is how to avoid something that you’re doing to yourself.
Right now, you’re setting yourself up for Type 2 diabetes. No, you won’t be on insulin. Yes, it will still suck rocks.
If you wish to avoid this, start by drinking water. Straight. Without any caffiene, high fructose corn syrup or caramel coloring. At least one measure for every measure of that fizzy battery acid you push down your gullet. Start now and continue for the rest of your life.
Accept that two large orders of french fries do not constitute a meal. Yes, you can afford it now. No, you can’t afford it later.
For that matter, don’t rely on Burger King or McDonald’s too much for your food. When you get to be me, they will no longer taste good and in truth, probably don’t now.
Drink water. Yes I know I already said this one.
You like walking. Do that more. Everywhere. Never live somewhere you can’t walk to what you need. It will pay off, I promise.
Sleep regularly. Take off your clothes and brush your teeth beforehand.
Have you gotten a glass of water yet?
When you finally get around to taking martial arts, stretch before each session. It will keep you from injuring yourself and dropping the class. This will help you maintain the best health you will be in possibly ever.
Water helps with the stretching.
Do not fear salads. You will like them. Dressing is okay, but don’t overdo it. You will, but try to pull the amount back so that it doesn’t look like flakey soup in ranch broth.
With the salads, have water.
It does not make you more of a man or even more of yourself to kill a 2 Liter of soda in a sitting. Excess is excess, not a reward.
Follow these rules and maybe you won’t have to write this letter, which I realize will cause a time space paradox and such the universe into a singularity, but at least you won’t have diabetes.
So do this for yourself. Do it for your future self. And buy Google when it’s cheap oh god I can’t stop myself….
Sincerely,
Yourself
