Yeah, but is it really working?

Recently I was on a ferry to visit my home town. I parked my car on the vehicle deck and trekked upstairs to empty my bladder before settling back in on the car deck to read my book.

In the last few years they have been upgrading the facilities for modernity and efficiency. One of the changes they have made is automating the toilets.

I'm assuming they are meant to flush when one stands up after one is done one's business, thus decreasing water usage, and theoretically saving the planet, one flush at a time (this is said HIGHLY tongue in cheek.)

Let me tell you about what I actually experienced.

I opened the door to the stall and was warmly welcomed by the first flush.

Well, hello to you too. Shall we?

I sit down. It flushed again.

I leaned forward to rip the toilet paper. The third flush.

It had been quite the 45 seconds.

When I was finally all wrapped up, I stood up for the grand finale flush.

Nothing.

I waited.

Nothing.

I waved my arms.

Nothing.

I lifted my leg to push the button with my foot (I'm all about challenging the immune system but I do have my limits).

Still nothing.

I pushed the button with my foot.

The grand finale "automatic" flush was quite anti-climactic.

So in theory, I suppose the toilets are a great idea.

But are they working?

They are certainly flushing. But are they working to meet the original intent?

My experience demonstrates a resounding no.

Don't worry I'm getting to my point, I promise.

Part of my job as a naturopathic doctor is to challenge my patients' understanding of what "healthy" means.

Here is a classic example.

"I eat pretty healthy. But I have no energy. I'm so hungry by 10 am, and so I snack. And I can't seem to lose this weight."

Lets break that down. What are you having for breakfast?

"Cereal and skim milk. Like I say, it's healthy."

Is it? Who told you that? Was it a popular food company and did they tell you that in one of their commercials?

The truth is the cereal and the skim milk convert immediately to sugar as soon as they are ingested. Sugar spikes. Insulin spikes. Sugar drops. You drop.

Eating healthy is a broad and relative term.

The question we need to be consistently asking ourselves is, "Is it working, and more importantly, is it working for me?"

In this example, the breakfast isn't working. Adding green veggies, healthy fats, and some protein would be a better strategy for their goals and health concerns.

I always giggle at this example. I used to work at a health food store. People would come in all the time and say, "I want a new one of those... you know... it came in the white bottle... it was for memory..."

So that's' working for you then?

The truth is we often take for granted that what we're doing is right and beneficial. We've been doing it for so long, that it can't be wrong, right?

Just because it's automatic, doesn't mean it's effective. We need to come back to that question:

Is it working for YOU?

You seriously have to ask yourself this question if you're hoping to get results in anything. I challenge you to look honestly at your habits. Question everything. Figure out and FLUSH what's not working. Because honestly, if you keep doing what you're doing you'll keep getting what you're getting.

And you wouldn't be here if you're happy with what you're getting, am I right?

Sometimes you need help figuring out what's not working and what could work. That's where I come in. I can slap on my detective hat and dig up the factors that may be contributing to what you're going through. I don't think your toilet has to flush three times at the wrong times. I'm pretty sure there's a single-flush solution out there.

Here's to your flushin', workin', jivin' Health and thrivin' Life!

Dr. Tonia