Apparently I have some shit on my mind....

Monday sucked!!! That's all. It just sucked! (Tuesday was great, but Monday can bite it!)

 It also reminded me why I am doing this. I have been fighting my thyroid, estrogen, and a host of other hormones this year that has made it difficult to keep with my goals and healthy life style. Let me rephrase that... and keep it real. I HAVE MADE IT DIFFICULT on my hormones to provide me with what I need to support my healthy life style. I know better. A year of lacksey-daisy fitness habits mixed with regular drinking and crap food have been my own doing. Any imbalances I had prior may have made things more difficult, but certainly not impossible and I caved way to easy. 

Chronic fatigue, chronic disease, chronic depression, cancer, alcoholism, liver disease, sugar addiction, and hormonal imbalances  all run rampid on both sides of my blood line.  The things I have watched my family go through have not only been astronomically devastating, but have been the fuel that feeds my fire to stop the insanity! This is also the reason for my insatiable hunger for learning, researching, blogging, and learning more. So much of what I have seen has been a result of lifestyle and not genetics. It feels like genetics when so many close family members on both sides have suffered so much through many of the same things. The first thing we want to do is blame our genetics and render ourselves doomed. Truth is, culturally,  generations before me were taught that fortified, processed foods were part of a healthy diet. Smoking was a healthy form of relaxation. Drinking was also a way to unwind and let go. Exercise was only something you did to look good in a bikini. And then began the diet and weight-loss industry (a whole other blog.. and it wouldn't take you long to find several of them in my blog site).  



I grew up like most. My diet was full of Top Romain, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Hamburger Helper, fast food, Chicken pot pies, cheesy lasagna (my fave!) and large meat and potato dinners. Ice cream was a staple in the freezer, and lunch boxes were always stocked with wonder bread sandwiches, Doritos,  Twinkies and Oreos. Both of my parents heavily smoked and both drank. If I'm being completely real with you, my son grew up in that same environment until his late teens when I began to change as a result of watching my family in thier later years. He also began to come into his own beliefs about food and nutrition as a teen and is now a vegetarian.  

So why am I sharing this? It all seems so personal, but really this is a national crisis. I'm not special. I'm not alone in the way I grew up. This was life for most, and in many ways still is today.  We may not glorify smoking, but Vaping has become the "healthier" version that I have literately watched parents influence thier adult kids to try. You can find a vape shop in almost every shopping center selling more flavors than Baskin Robins. Pot shops are now on almost every corner and considered a healthy way to unwind and socialize (and  I'm not speaking of medical marijuana),  liquor is now sold in Walmart and every grocery store in my state.  The (processed) food industry  in hugely booming. (Be prepared for the longest ranting, run-on sentence ever.....) And the weight loss industry is quite possibly the most lucrative in our nation, with pyramid multi-level marketing

sales using social media and in-home parties to fuel our nations toxic relationship with food and further destroy our children's'  self worth and body images with the constant pressures of having to look like an "after" picture they see on a meal replacement post claiming to be healthier than real, whole foods.... ( Yes! My blood boils when I think about the weight loss industry).

Back to me personally. I said in a resent blog that I wasn't going to beat myself up for this past year, yet I find myself increasing frustrated  for knowing better and letting myself go down the rabbit hole anyway. But, yes. I am human and know better or not, I did. It's all part of my journey and it's these times when I'm knocked off my high-horse and humbled, that I remember what I felt like before I ever began this journey of a healthier lifestyle. 

Sometimes it can be overwhelming with information overload and the wide spectrum of "diets" that claim to be the real "paleolithic" way to eat, or the ones that remove entire food groups for everyone (allergies or not). With so much misinformation, and a completely dysfunctional relationship with food in our  nation, my personal challenge has been to resist the hang-ups with body image and looking a certain way, and instead concentrate on what will make me healthy vibrant, strong and give me the best quality of life, well into my senior years. My one word mantra is sustainable. If it's not sustainable for a life time, I don't do it. 

Anyway, let's chat. What motivates you? What are your hurtles? Do you struggle with body image vs. good health? Are they separate? What does sustainable health mean to you ? What changes would you like to see for the next generation? .... Your kids? 

 The advantage we have today is we are trying to get back on the right track.We have mass amounts of information available at our finger tips to research and decide what is right for us.  Slowly our government's food pyramid and food labeling  laws are changing. We see more demand for organic and non-GMO. Local produce, farmer's markets, and urban farming are on the rise. These are all positives and gives hope to our future generations to take it and run!

A candid look at my Why - Hormones and Stuff

As a fitness professional, it's important  to note, I have not always been healthy. Far from it. I  am a product of the baby boomer's era. Born in the 70's, it was a time when women took more to the work force and helped with a second income. Food companies accommodated this trend with quick and easy meals that could be easily assembled after an 8 hour work day for the woman who wanted to have it all. Over the years, this became the most lucrative industry in our country.  Boxed macaroni and cheese, Spaghetti O's , hamburger helper.... 

 Our food pyramid taught us  that we should be eating mostly bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. Six-eleven servings to be exact. Commercials showed us that a healthy breakfast was a bowl of cereal, white toast with butter and fruit preserves, and a glass of fruit juice.

This is how I ate well into my late 30's. I know many baby boomers who still eat this way and believe that this is a healthy diet. Many people of this era (and myself until about 10 years ago) still believe that as long as they limit the obvious sugars (ie: cake, cookies, ice cream, candy, pastries,  puddings, and other dessert foods) they are limiting thier sugar and staying healthy and away from junk food. So, I enjoyed my Honey Bunches of Oats cereal (12g sugar) , toast w/ jam (13.5 g sugar) and a glass of orange juice (22g sugar). That's a whopping 47.5g of sugar to start my day. Snacks, lunches, and dinners weren't much better, plus I loved an occasional candy bar or ice cream treat! Who doesn't? 

With the above eating habits in my 30's, I felt like shit.  Tired, depressed, no energy or drive to do anything fun, I would get a bad headache and feel emotional and moody around 3 or 4:00  almost every afternoon. I looked older than I was. I was over weight. I grunted when I got up off the couch or rolled out of bed like an old lady expending all her energy on that small task. 





In my late 30's I began to educate myself and do better. By 40, I was in the best shape and felt AMAZING!!

I have maintained this status over the years and have been really proud of myself. This last year, my habits have changed. I went out to eat on an average of 3-5 times a week (Fri/Sat dinner, and maybe a Sunday breakfast or lunch), I increased my alcohol intake from social drinking to enjoying wine with dinner after a stressful day at work in addition to weekend social events. I haven't lifted consistently for over a year. I still consume lots of fruits and veggies and have maintained my healthy eating habits on my regular meals when I don't go out, but WOW!! THE DIFFERENCE I FEEL is scary and a path I don't want to return to. With my hormones out of wack this year, I am constantly fighting myself for energy and motivation to do what I know is right. 

I still "look" healthy today. I little cushion between my skin and muscles, but over-all, I'm still here in my healthy body. But what I feel lurking in my future if I don't take the reins now and make those healthy choices,  scares the shit out of me! My bloodline shows me where I can be in my older years with genetics and lifestyle if I don't choose wisely, continue to learn and give my body what it needs to be sustainably  healthy. That is one  reason you will never see me taking weight loss product (Advocare, Shakeology, magic wraps, pills, or potions) As I deal with hormonal imbalances and inflammation, I know exactly where I could be if I don't "choose" my path wisely now. Real, mostly unprocessed, whole foods (not meal replacements). Adequate water, sleep and exercise. Supplementation given from my holistic doctor that fits my personal needs (learned through blood tests), not one size fits all, fitness industry supplements you can buy from a health club or MLM distributor.  I am a huge advocate of researching and learning through books, podcasts, and long talks with my doctor. As a result I have a ton of knowledge which makes it extra hard to continue to feed myself excuses as to why I feel the way I do.

So, that is my why. My path may not be the path for you, but my hope to inspire you to find your path, learn, and grow. In doing this publicly and being honest and candid with you, this will hold me publicly accountable to myself as well .

This is me this year.  While I still have a good base line for a healthy lifestyle, I remember what it was like not knowing anything. It's NEVER too late to learn, feel better and improve our health and quality of life. Equally true, there is never a stopping point. To stop learning and growing, is to stop living. No matter the excuse, there is ALWAYS a choice..... until there isn't...

A Fitness Instructor's rant - Is group fitness getting lost in weight loss greed?

Why am I blogging tonight?

Recently 4 weight loss companies (Sensa Products, L’Occitane, HCG Diet Direct and LeanSpa) were charged with fraud by the Federal Trade Commission.The New York Times reported, "On Tuesday, the commission charged four companies with deceptively marketing weight-loss products, asserting they made “unfounded promises” that consumers could shed pounds simply by using their food additives, skin creams and other dietary supplements." ( Read full article here!! ) 

If you have followed my blogs or me  on facebook , you know I am a passionate advocate for learning about "real" foods and living a healthy life style. I am also relentlessly fed up with the weight loss industry and all the lies they feed us to profit off of our emotions. We are so emotional about how we look, we will buy into anything that will promise us success! And they all promise success, Right?

As a fitness instructor, it is my job to keep up with my credits for my re-certification each year.  Being just a few credits shy of applying for my re-cert, I decided to take an on-line course to finish up. In reading my material on nutrition and supplements, I learned that weight loss products, supplements, and shakes sold as supplements and often used as meal replacements are NOT regulated by the FDA. According to the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) , "Shockingly, dietary supplement safety is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, not the FDA or any other government agency."  Although some companies can claim to adhere to regulations and guidelines for the manufacturing of supplements, that simply means they are following the guide lines for production, and has little to no affect to the content of the product.  

In another online credit course through AFAA, I am reminded that it is advised I refrain from selling or advocating the use of weight loss products, meal replacements, and/or supplements..... Which brings me to one of many reasons I am writing this blog.

WHY ARE WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENTS BEING SOLD IN GROUP FITNESS??!  

When I developed my passion for group fitness, instructors were  my gateway to fitness and the inspiration for learning. Most classes were created from the passion and creativity of the instructor who brought the fun and excitement into movement. In addition, they fostered a family of fitness fanatics and gave the example of a fit lifestyle. I WAS HOOKED!! Step, kickbox, heavy bag boxing, weight lifting, yoga..... I loved it all! And, I loved that the only motive for teaching was passion and fun!  No sales!  No pressure! No fees! (unlike the trainers) Just passion and fun! 

Now a days (am I that old?) most classes are purchased through a company, learned by the instructor, and taught in the gyms. It has proven to be quite successful and I'm not knocking that (I have a blast in many of those classes). But what gets my panties in a bunch is when I see weight loss products being sold on the aerobic floor (or through instructors).

              "The Healthiest meal of the Day"

         ?!?!Really?!?!  

Just what are we teaching our class goers?! You have to work hard in the gym, but not the kitchen?? Just come take our classes and then fill up on pills and shakes to get healthy?? NO!! 

 Let me be clear when I tell you (present company included) most instructors ARE NOT QUALIFIED to  sell you supplements. All we know about the product is what you know through the company's website (remember, it is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, not the FDA to ensure safety and effectiveness of product). If we are selling this to you, it is not because we are educated to do so or because we know it works any better than real food - we're not and we don't. It is because the company we bought our choreography from sold us this to sell to you for the sole purpose of bringing in more revenue to their company. ($$$$$). PERIOD. 

Why does this get my panties in a bunch? Because, like many of you, I looked to my fitness instructors as a role model of, "healthy". Back in the day when I was overweight and looking to get healthy, if approached by my instructor, I may have purchased their product as my solution. Why? Because I didn't know what 'healthy' was. All I knew was they looked healthy and I wanted that for myself. 

I hate seeing my stomping ground being turned into another venue for weight loss supplement profit (10 more burpees then..... buy my shake to lose weight and feel great)

Stay true. Never stop learning. And remember, good health and a healthy weight come from healthy living and real, whole, foods. 

It may be a new year, but if you truly want a new you that will last well into, and beyond 2015, it will take what all of those magic promises don't want you to know (and it's not money). It will take  time, effort, and a great deal of learning. 
Always True,
~Kelly

Real Talk.

The worst conversation you could possible loop me into, is the one where you tell me why you can't be healthy. 

"I can't afford a gym"
"I have no time to exercise"
"It costs too much to eat healthy"
"I don't like drinking  water"
"I have too much to do to get good sleep"
"My joints ache"
"I have ________, so I can't exercise."
"I don't like the taste of healthy food" 
"My family won't eat that." ..........

You can feed me, or yourself any line you want, but the truth is, You Choose. You Choose. You choose. Every day, you choose. 

Age will wear down your joints and body over time, but how you treat your body over all, through out your life, will greatly determine your later years. 

We all have challenges. We all have things in our lives that make it hard, really hard, to exercise, eat well, get plenty of sleep, and all the other things that contribute to good health. We choose everyday, how healthy we want to be. Even amongst the aliments, illnesses, disease, aches and pains, hectic schedules, lack of money, and everything else that can possible get in our way,  we choose to work around it, triumph over it , or become victim of it. WE CHOOSE.

And if we understood that how we choose to live our lives will greatly affect how many  chronic illnesses we acquire, maybe then, we would choose differently, instead of believing that those are things we just randomly fall victim to. 

We choose. 

ShredFit Fitness Vlog: Do Take Supplements??

I get this question all the time. Nope, but here is what I do to make sure I get everything I need.

ShredFit Fitness Vlog: PMS - Do you ever just not give a shit??

Getting real! Most of the time I love being/getting/staying healthy!! But sometimes PMS makes me just not give a shit.... You?

ShredFit Vlog: Are you getting heathy with a Partner?

Vlog: Q-How can I lose weight?? 7/3/13

I get this question a lot. If you find a fitness pro who has a short answer for this, walk away...they probably have something to sell you.... 



Great reference as well:
Elliot Hulse - Strength Camp vid: Why Junk Food Makes You Strong

Finding Your Own Way Among All The Controversy...

• High Fat vs. Low Carbs
• Cardio vs. Weights
• Vegetarian vs. Vegan                   
•  Yoga vs. Pilates 
•  Steady State Cardio vs. HIIT
• Low Weigh/High Reps vs. High Weigh Low Reps
• Zumba vs Boxing
• Supplements vs. Natural Foods

• Organic vs. Non-organic  

Let me just start by saying, politics and religion have nothing on diet and exercise. When we find what works for us, that becomes as sacred as our spiritual beliefs. Many Cross Fitters, Paleo dieters, bodybuilders, clean-eaters,yogis, and Zumba-Lights will fight to death to defend their craft and why you should do this instead of that.


Today, I was reminded of this as I realized I had once again climbed on my horse and ranted about the diet industry.  Now, I will never stop advocating against the diet industry.....My own journey lead me to my own truths that I will fight for,  but that did get me thinking....

Who am I (or anyone else) to tell you how to go about finding your path to a healthy life style? With so much conflicting science out there on the best way to workout, or the best way to eat, the best advice one can give is to learn, experiment, and learn more. What works for one, may not hold true for another. 

It is so important to remember to be a defensive learner.  Question what you read or hear. Experiment with what works for you.  Be pro-active in your own journey. Don't just blindly do what the "experts" say, or what worked for your friend.... Find what brings you the most health and success. 

And, give respect to what others have found to be their truth. .... Stepping off my own high horse...for now.
                            **grin**
 All that I can offer is what I have learned to be true for me. 



 

A Fitness Professional and a Sales Person Walk into a Health Club...

The other day,  as I walked out of my health club I saw an "It Works" wraps and supplements table stationed inside the front door....

Why do I get a surge of emotion and anger every time I see the diet industry superimpose themselves on the health industry?

Because they have some how been sold as one in the same!

But here is the difference...

The (true) health industry sells:
education
whole, fresh foods
local farmers
active life styles
clean eating
exercise
balance
yoga
organic
GMO awarness
farmers markets
food co-ops


The diet industry sells:
low fat
low calorie
low carb
light
fat free
zero calorie
fat burners
carb blockers
appetite suppressant
supplements (ofcourse to suppliment what we should be eating, but are not because after all, we're trying to lose weight!! Hello??)
cellulite creams
magic potions
wonder drugs
miracle  cures
shapers
slimmers
toners
calorie burners
detoxers
shakes
sprinkles
powders
patches
wraps................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
the list is endless!

Nature has provided us with all we need. We create more out of greed!

Greed.

That's what it is. We have given our personal greed power over helping people to be healthy. :(

We see it all the time, right? Celebrities and celeb  trainers putting their name on a diet pill box...Lest not forget Dr. Phil with his "apple shape" or  "pear shape" diet pills.... Can we just take a moment to step away from those trying to make/take money, and reach for some common sense?? .....

Move
Eat whole, good,  REAL foods
Sleep
Relax
Breath
Drink water






 

 

My views on calorie counting

I've been reading a lot of fitness blogs lately on calorie counting. Most seem to be against it. Here is my take.
 
Counting calories has been a very important part of my journey. I counted and kept a food journal for years as I learned about food and their place in my diet. When I first started counting, I counted calories on my ice cream, Big Mac Combos, fish sticks, mac-n-cheese, soups, sandwiches and cereals....oh, and the occasional banana that would some how sneak into my diet.

After growing consistently frustrated with being unable to get my numbers where the "experts" said they should be, I began my love affair with diet foods. Low fat, light, low calorie, diet, and lean, became all the buzz words and rules I followed. My kitchen was the poster child of a dieter. Single serving (100 calorie) bags of cookies and chips, low fat cereals, and light canned chili and soups graced my cupboards. Fat free yogurts, diet sodas, Lean Cuisines, and low fat ice creams filled my refrigerator and freezer. I was counting calories like a queen! And I lost weight. I had mastered my numbers!.....

And then I plateaued. So frustrated with never being able to quite hit my weight loss goals, I changed the goal to being healthy. I figured if I was truly healthy, My body would naturally find it's healthy weight.  I began scrutinizing everything I ate. I read books (The Eat Clean Diet) I read labels, I read blogs and discovered "real food".

I continued calorie counting through it all. I wanted to learn. I still strongly believed in the numbers. Discovering real food, I achieved my goal. I was healthy and my weight was too. I continued to count. I would step away from counting for a while, and if I got off track I would resume counting until I was stable again. This was a process I had to go through to get where I am now.

One day, I just stopped counting. Life got busy and I began focusing more on clean eating (which in itself is time consuming). There was not time for both. That is when I realized I was in tune with my body. I began watching my patterns. I took note that if I got off track for too long, I'd gain weight and fall into old habits. I took note when that happened, it took about 3 weeks to take that weight off and get back to my comfort zone of healthy living. ( Comfort zone meaning no longer struggling to not pick up the cookie)

I can't remember the last time I counted.
 It feels great to be in this space.

Would I recommend calorie counting to others? YES! I would tell them to use it as a learning tool. Don't stop progressing until you no longer need to count. And even then, keep learning. It was a great tool for me to get this far.

What I learned:  

Calories = energy and energy is GOOD!!  
A calorie is not just a calorie
There is food and there is junk Food is good. Junk is junk.
Junk is enjoyable but not appropriate fuel. Use it as such in moderation
If it says diet, low fat, fat free, low calorie, or light, it is likely junk in disguise
FAT IS GOOD!! EAT FAT!! (see: The girl who loves fat) 

So yes! Count. But don't stop there. LEARN. =] Because the person who tells you it's one easy step is a moron...It's a life time of baby steps.

THE GIRL WHO LOVES FAT!!

I’m a girl who LOVES fat! Let me tell you why….

First who doesn’t love breaking the rules?!?! If you tell me I can’t have it, chances are I will find a way! It’s been my mission since adolescence!! And fat is the diet industry's #1 no no!!  

Here are some of my faves!

  Eggs: I eat them religiously every morning!! Even the yolk! I have an egg scramble with 1 whole and 3 whites. My scramble gives me 17.1 grams of protein, 8 essential amino acids, 5 grams healthy fats!! So why do I eat just one whole with 3 whites, you ask…..

Avocado: My favorite fat!! I eat ¼ avocado in my egg scramble every morning!! Avocados have 18 essential amino acids, necessary for the body to form a complete protein. Unlike the protein in steak (love steak!), which is difficult for most people to digest, avocado protein is readily absorbed by the body because avocados also contain fiber. At 7.25 grams of good fats (per ¼ avocado) they help boost HDL (good cholesterol), protect against heart disease, and provide and excellent source of energy as well as keep you fuller, longer!

Many people now take supplements (and ya’ll know how I feel about supplements) in order to consume more omega-3 fatty acids to lower their risk of heart disease. Avocados are rich in omega-3, delivering 160 milligrams per cup of alpha-linolenic acid.

 Ah Nuts!! Raw pecans go in every bowl of my daily oatmeal I consume! Raw almonds, walnuts, or almond butter, get paired with my fruit, and sunflower or pumpkin seeds top my salads! I’m nuts about nuts!! I am always amazed at how 10-12 little raw almonds can keep me satisfied till my next meal!! Nuts in general have many health benefits and properties making it a known super food!! They provide good fats that have the ability to lower your LDL cholesterol levels and lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases or stroke. Moreover, many nuts provide a great source of vitamin E, each ounce providing about 7.4 mg or the equivalent 50 percent of the daily value.

 Fish: Salmon is my favorite!! I try to eat it at least once to twice a week! Great for your hair and skin, as well as a brilliant source of easy to digest proteins, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamins E and D. Salmon is also known to improve moods, cognitive function, and memory. 

 Oils: Olive, avocado, coconut, or nut and seed oils all contain a wide variety of health benefits! According to Tosca Reno (my hero), not only do clean oils protect against high cholesterol and heart disease, but they also help reduce inflammation and infection, plus they slow aging process! Who doesn’t like that?!

This is just to list a few; there are many more foods I use to avoid due to fat content.

Fats were the missing pieces to my weight loss puzzle. I truly believe that adding good fats into my daily diet is what not only helped with weight loss, but also helped me keep it off all of these years! Back in the 90’s when I tried to maintain 20 grams of fat, I was always hungry, causing me to binge and develop a love hate relationship with food and myself.  With healthy fats, I’m not hungry, I don’t obsess with numbers, I don’t resent my body because of what I can’t have…. I eat fat.
For more details on my struggle and journey with fat, check out my first post on fat:  "But They Told Me Fat Was Bad!" 

BUT ‘THEY’ TOLD ME FAT WAS BAD!!

Each decade has its own diet fad that leaves it’s footprint on our beliefs and relationships with food.  Low fat, low carbs, low calories, all fruit, no fruit, no sugar, Atkins, South Beach, and now the sacred Paleo.....

I remember back in the mid 90’s watching Oprah and being introduced to Bob Green! Watching Oprah’s transformation was inspiring and I was ready to jump on board!! She had a Spring Challenge show that inspired me to begin my journey. I knew very little about weight loss. I knew I needed to exercise, and watch my calories, but what were the rules to being successful? I was on board and ready to be educated…..or so I though.

As with any eager dieter, I was ready to hear, what I was ready to hear! Hard facts…. The formula…. Give me the cheat sheet please! And they did…at least that’s what I heard .

The magic formula was in the numbers! 1200 calories and 20 grams of fat! WaLa!! There it was! I could do this. Just count!

Fat!!

Fat was the dirty little secret that kept us all fat in the 90’s!

Eat fat = Get fat!

Eat non-fat or fat free = get skinny

Cool! Simple, concise rules to follow!

 Even though the 90’s have long passed, “Fat is bad!” still echoes in our rule books. Even in the 90’s I questioned this authoritative rule (even though I followed it religiously).  Really? Fat is bad? I can see the fat in ice cream, cookies, or mac-n-cheese, but even nuts, avocado, salmon, and healthy oils?? Yup!! Eat very sparingly, they told me….. Logic told me that was quacky advice since these foods were put here by nature to sustain us. But, what did I know? They  were the experts! 

Oh the trust we put in others while ignoring our own common sense and wisdom!..... 

Image vs. Happiness

Have you seen the new show Chicago Fire?  Even coming out of a fire covered in soot, these people are beyond McDreamy gorgeous, right?!  Perfect bodies, great hair, beautiful smiles,  type A personalities, with that "it" factor that just draws you in. Images.... Are they real? Well in this case, of course not! 

But what about in the real world? Your friends, co-workers, or other people you know?  Do you ever find yourself comparing their lives to yours? Do you find them to be, better looking, smarter, having a better job or more money? Maybe they have more friends, do super cool things every weekend, or just seem to have it all together.

The number one thing that makes us feel unhappy or inadequate is the image we hold of others.  Even with people we know, we tend to glamorize their lives, never really looking at the whole picture. Social media has perpetuated these images, making life all around us seem better than our own.

What does this have to do with being fit or healthy? Everything!! 

If we can't appreciate and value where we are in our own lives, we can't appreciate the learning process and journey our lives have to offer. After all, the reason we buy into all the "diet industry" has to offer is because we cannot accept where we are in our own lives now. We crave the instant gratification of having that dream body . We look at others who have that body and wish we were more like them. 

True happiness doesn't work that way though.  Even if  the Good Witch of the North herself came with her  magic wand and granted us the body or life we wanted, the same dysfunctions of our old life would still be standing in our way of true happiness.  It is looking with-in and learning to accept and love ourselves that will create that inner peace of not needing to be like anyone else but you. And when we can truly be grateful for our own life without longing for someone elses, true health and happiness will come our way.

So when you look in the mirror and you see all of you own imperfections, look with love. Whether you see them in others or not, we all have them. We are all imperfect creatures.  Our imperfections make us human, and give us common ground. While our imperfections or dysfunctions may be different, they give us our wisdom, humbleness, and uniqueness, and set the stage for all we are to learn and pass on in life. 

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same." 

~Marianne Williamson

It Works!! No really! This one is different, I promise!...

Back in my day it was Slim Fast and Metabolife. These things are still out there out on the shelves. I live just down the street from a Metabolife distributor. Along with many "diets", these were the two weight loss products I clung to.  

Slim Fast offered a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner. I was starving my body, and when I could take it no more, I'd binge, gaining any loss back, plus more!

Metabolife was my next desperate attempt to lose weight. With the promise of "all natural vitamins and herbs" to raise my metabolism and help me lose weight. I didn't lose anything but my self respect, money, and my belief that I would ever be able to  be healthy or "normal". On top of that, they made me moody, jittery, and at times confused and turned around. They completely wigged me out!

What was my turning point? I'd have to say a big one was when Dr. Phil began selling diet pills. He had  a pill for "pear shaped" ladies, and a pill for "apple shapes". Wait!!! What???! Those 2 boxes with Dr. Phil's name on it jumped off the shelf and hit me over the head with an IDIOT stick!! Were we really that stupid!??  Um, Yes!! Talk about an epiphany!! That was the day I stopped watching Dr. Phil and stopped giving my money to the diet industry.

I changed my focus from weight loss to getting healthy . No products! No pills! No shakes! No meal replacement bars! No diet foods! No short cuts! No decisions made out of desperation! Instead, it had to be conducive to good health. Real nutrition, from real foods. Water. Adequate sleep. Activity. Exercise, Flexibility. Strength. Yoga. Taking care of myself for the first time ever. And, are you ready for this??....It's a new, unheard of concept that the diet industry doesn't make you commit to.....TIME! Yes! You read that right. Time. Time to change habits and behaviors. Time to learn what healthy really is. Time to incorporate these new healthy concepts into sustainable, everyday life. Time to fail and learn so you can succeed. Time to see real results, from real efforts. Time.

But, now we have our beloved and trusted, 'tell it like it is', Jillian Michaels (today's Dr. Phil of weight loss) out there selling a whole line of pills, cleansers, and diet products. We buy them, because we love and trust Jillian! And why not? She came into our homes every week for years, inspiring and showing us that we too can lose hundreds of pounds in just a matter of months.

We also have the brilliant money making scam of , 'It Works' diet pills, All natural shakes, and magic wraps, you can use and sell at parties like Tupperware in your own home. LOSE INCHES FAST! And, I hear it works.....while you are using it. But who can afford to give away their money and health for a life time? I mean, really, when you stop using them, the inches come back. Some would (and do) argue that 'this' product is different. This one feeds you healthy shakes and preaches healthy living. Well, of course it does! Any good distributor is going to create a strong belief system for their product. It's called great marketing!! After all, what weight loss product is going to tell you they just want your money.

 It's no secret I have a BIG beef with the diet and weight loss industry. They prey on the desperation and emotions of over weight and unhealthy consumers. The biggest goal here is to keep us sick, over weight, unhealthy, and unhappy with ourselves so they can continue to rape our pocket books with the next, bright promise of tomorrow. And there will be a "next" to fall back on when the one you are currently using fails you. And it will have even bigger promises of health and weight loss. 

At some point, we have to ask ourselves, who is driving this bus? Am I in control of my health, or am I leaving that job to the experts scam artists? 

Food for thought......