Tractor beams

Posted: 18 Jul 2012 03:00 AM PDT

Last week, I used the term tractor beam, as in "avoiding the tractor beam of the drive-thru" and my friend Marty asked me to expand on the theme.  She wrote:

Feel free to expand on these thoughts:

What are the “Tractor Beams" on in your life?
Does it pull you to the drive-thru?
Does it force you to stay on the couch instead of exercising?
Does it force you to…
Does it pull you…

First things first.  For those of you who don't know, the reference to tractor beams is from Star Wars (not a HUGE Star Wars fan but enough to use some of those pop culture references).  Gotta love Wikipedia as a source to clarify the term -- but here goes:

"We're caught in a tractor beam! It's pulling us in!"

―Han Solo^[src]

"A tractor beam was a projected force field used by spaceports, planetary bases, space stations and starships to effectively grasp and guide vessels to a safe designated landing. They could also be used to forcibly capture enemy ships."

There's much more information about tractor beams on the link -- if you have the same kind of brain I do, it's pretty funny reading if read with an eye to the whole drive-thru scenario.

Anyway, to answer Marty's question, for me, I see the drive thru as a pulling force -- it just sucks you in using your own inertia.  So -- when you see that sign for the drive-thru coming up, that's when the part of your brain locks on to the tractor beam.  Once you're engaged in the tractor beam, it takes a lot of extra energy to break away.

Now, that's all a fun and games way to look at fast food.  But there's some interesting brain imaging studies on how the brain responds to  high fat, high salt, high refined carb foods (and that, my friends, is exactly what fast food is DESIGNED to be).  Interestingly enough, the brain responds to those components in foods in the same way it responds to cocaine and other drugs.  When you first start eating them, a small amount stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain a great deal -- with routine eating, we need more and more of the foods to elicit the same amount of pleasurable experience.  And (although I don't think I've read this anywhere but it is consistent with what I see in my own and my clients' experiences), seeing the drive-thru is the trigger for the craving.  So you're actually already deciding to pull into the drive-thru before you're consciously aware of any thing going on.

Sneaky, huh?

And here's where creating levees comes into play.  If you don't (on principle) drive through the drive thru, the tractor beam loses its power over you.  You won't start the craving because the sign won't register as a stimulus to you.

So give it a try! I can almost guarantee if you boycott all drive-thru's for 30 (on principle), you will find the drive home much less fraught with temptation.

***and as I was rereading this post (trying desparately to proof it -- which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't ;) -- I noticed that I didn't address Marty's question about tractor beams, the couch, and exercise.  How about we talk about that tomorrow??

Just because it showed abnormalities, I've heard more than one doctor say that EKGs can be faulty, so they are probably wanting to be sure there is nothing seriously wrong that would cause a problem surgically, but you'd be wise to talk it over with your surgeon and not sure of your's and hubby's age, but I was 51 when I started the process and had to have a stress test as part of my pre-op. 

As for your guilt, only you can feed that part of yourself. . .  maybe try reminding yourself that you need to get and stay healthy and that hopefully, he will be joining you on this very same path, perhaps a little later, if they find some things that need addressing, but either way, your health is important and can, no matter what, be of value to helping your husband.

Best wishes, Laureen

 hubby and I had our EKG and Ultrasounds.

While my EKG came out normal, his showed abnormalities.  He has to go for stress test now.  Can this prevent him from getting the surgery?  He has worked so hard to get to his pre surgery weight and surpassed it by a few lbs.  I am already feeling a bit bad cause I have my global fee now and all I have to do is meet the surgeon and he isn't. 

How do I get over these feelings of guilty and stuff?  Part of me doesn't want the surgery because of his roadblock but then I would be miserable....  Big part of me wants the surgery but I would feel guilt for being able to have it...

Can anyone HELP me out???

 Lisa, I am sorry to hear about your illness. It sounds like you have been through the wringer with the Lyme disease. I love hearing the strong attitude about "breaking free" of it. Good for you - attitude really matters!

Let me toss in a thought - that if you contribute to a message board in ANY capacity, you may do so to help others....but at the core, doing so helps YOURSELF. 

We talked about this at Barix support last night. You might post your menus for the day, or your exercise plan....and no one replies. No one. That doesn't mean the post was not worthwhile. It put it out on the screen and into the universe for YOUR OWN ACCOUNTABILITY. It helps YOU keep track.

As for summer exercise, I got started a couple of years ago with water aerobics and loved it. I didn't do "granny style" classes, but discovered a few that really got the heart rate pumping. And NO issue going outside afteward risking freezing temps and damp hair, to be sure!

Hi Lisa,
I'm so sorry to hear that you developed Lyme Disease and are suffering so.  I'm blessed because my doctor has tested me several times when my symptoms warranted it.  Thankfully, I don't have it.

I did a regain as well.  It was during a two year alcoholic relapse.  I'm not back at goal yet, but I'm heading in the right direction.

As far as support groups go, while I haven't been there in a while, there are two Barix support groups each month in Langhorne.  They are open to anyone seeking support.  The only restriction is that nonBarix patients can't get any nutritional counseling while there.  They meet the third Wednesday and first Saturday of the month.  I have to get back there.  If I didn't have a slew of errands last night, I would have been there.  Barix is in Langhorne, off Woodbourne Road near Oxford Valley Mall.

Must scoot.

Hugs,
Trish