Absolutely. If I had realized years ago what I was putting into my body (Pepsi, candy, cookies, cakes, pasta by the bowlful), I hope I would have changed my habits. I was hooked on Pepsi. I weighed 205 pounds before I got through. Now I'm diabetic with renal failure, had to have open heart surgery, etc., etc. I'm making changes but I still need to do more (like--ugghh--exercise). I don't want to end up sitting in a nursing home, drool running down my chin, eyes glazed over and yelling out curses on those who walk by. Beam me up, Scotty, before that happens.
Boy, does this sound familiar. Diet Pepsi (among the other goodies) were the culprit with my wife. After reading up on aspertame, she stopped cold turkey. That ALONE resulted in a weight loss of twenty to twenty-five pounds. (That southern sweet tea didn't help, either.) When we returned to the People's Republic of New England, she was 'diagnosed' with Type II diabetes. Fortunately, we were both aware of the alternative options, so my wife pushed for a referral to a nutritionist. Good move. The doctor just wanted to throw all the traditional medications at her symptoms. (What else is new?) The nutritionist drafted a menu for her (basically eliminating white bread, sugars of any kind, and restricting carbohydrates.) In THREE months; she dropped ANOTHER thirty pounds, and got all her blood sugar levels down to the normal range. She went to the doctor, who AGAIN recommended several medications WITHOUT even consulting the chart to look at what she had accomplished!!! She insisted he review her NEW weight and glucose levels. After expressing his astonishment, he 'concluded' that she could do WITHOUT medication. KMA, pharmaceutical cartel...you'll have to get by without OUR money. Re: exercise...just try to go for a short twenty-minute walk in the evening. VERY good for you. :-)