As each New Year begins one of the main topics of conversation always seems to be weight loss and exercise. We get flooded with information from TV, radio, fliers, books on how to lose weight, exercise, every year a new diet is added and new exercise gadgets that are designed to quickly and easily lose weight.
We have become a soceity that wants the quick and easy way for everything . Having everything fast has become an expectation. So if we can lose 10 pounds in 8 days or use a gadget for 3 minutes a day and lose 10 pounds why not? Sounds great doesn't it? Let's get real folks...there is no quick or easy way to get healthy..it takes commitment and a true desire to want to change your lifestyle. Sure you may lose 10 pounds in 8 days and feel good for a month or two but chances are within the next 6 months you are going to gain those 10 pounds back plus! For anyone who has done the quick diet thing you know what I'm talking about!
I don't want to criticize those diets or exercise gadgets because I do believe its important for people who feel they need to make a change that its better to start somewhere and do something rather than do nothing. Our society has an issue with obseity and there are many different reasons for that, the important thing is there is the realization that unhealthy lifestyles are dangerous with the greatest cost ..your life! I guess what I want people to remember is don't limit yourself and continue to educate yourself and learn all you can about healthy living.
How many times have you yourself started the year out going ding dong on a diet and exercise and by March it starts to dwindle...by May you start to go back to eating the old way because the sun is shining and barbeque season has started? Then the excuses start....we are all quilty of using every excuse under the sun why we couldn't exercise, or justifying those extra drinks, deserts etc...lol.
Several years ago due to my own health issues I realized I had no choice but to make a lifestyle change. There were no short cuts or quick diets I had to learn how to eat properly for my body. Is it easy , no it is not and there has been a great deal of trial and error because what might work for someone else doesn't work for me.
Each year as I learn more I adopt a more clean eating lifestyle and explore different types of exercise that I enjoy .
What does clean eating mean? Simply put it is eating food in its most natural state, so eating more fruits, vegetables and eliminating as much processed and refined , sugar and gluten type food from my diet is the goal. Being more aware of the types of food I consume and where they come from, especially items made from a long list of incredients that I can't pronounce I think twice about or at least limit.
Hey , I'm not saying I am the expert of healthy eating or exercise because I still enjoy cheating as much as the next person. However, I do have experience with being unhealthy and making that transition to finally adopting and making a lifestyle change that saw me lose 35 lbs and go from a person who couldn't jog to the end of the street to jogging 5km. Do I still have goals to achieve you betcha I do.
I love chocolate and there are some bad foods I still crave every now and then, and I quite often get bored with exercise and it is a challenge sometimes to keep it up , but I don't deprive myself of food I crave and I don't beat myself up when I don't exercise . I eat those foods in moderation and if I miss my exercise one day I make sure I do it the next.
Here's the deal...we all deserve to be healthy and if weight loss and being healthier is on your goal list this year ...remember the most effective ways involve educating yourself about food , your body type, and learning what is going to work for you, incorporating it into your lifestyle so that it works for you and is something you enjoy. Set yourself up for success right from the start..there are many good resources out there take advantage of them...ask questions!
Slick marketing , fancy gadgets, and fly by night diets don't create healthy lifestyles..they are short term solutions to a bigger issue...hard work, dedication, education, commitment and good support are the foundation to maintaining momentum throughout the year and your life!
Wishing you good healthy and happiness , I know I would like you to be around for a long time..life is for living!
xo
Reference sites:http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes.aspx
http://www.canada.com/life/Clean+eating+look+food/1639529/story.html
http://www.commonsensehealth.com/
http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/
http://www.canadianliving.com/health/nutrition/nutrition_on_a_budget_learn_how_to_save_money_on_healthy_food.php
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