In general, I believe that any change from one's normal routine is a bit scary and takes courage. There is a proverb that states this "reluctance" very succinctly: "People don't change until the pain of changing becomes less than the pain of staying in the current situation." Perhaps unhealthy looking people we see in the super markets, loading their carts with "junk" are not in sufficient pain to be willing to assume the responsibility of doing something about it?
I think you're exactly right, Kari.
I know in my case, I put up with the D for a long time - maybe 10 years (if I remember right, so did you). It was only when it became intolerable that I finally decided I would do whatever it took, including severe diet restriction, to get better. And there are still some diet restrictions I'm not quite willing to undertake; I keep watching this board thinking, "I don't think I could ever get to the point of eating ONLY chicken soup with rice, as some here do."
There does seem to be another piece to it, though, and that's whether you actually believe it will work. I think there are many people out there who don't think it's possible that diet restriction could ultimately resolve the problem. And there are people like me, who at some point have tried some form of elimination diet for a week or two and thought, "It didn't work for me." We have to become convinced that the diet restrictions are going to work, or no amount of pain is going to cause us to make the necessary changes.
Thanks for the thoughts! :)
Deanna