Heading into the weekend

     I blogged this week about "Fat Free" and realized that the same logic will basically apply to "sugar free" and "natural" etc. etc. Basically, your choices should be reflective of your personal goals, health issues and "weaknesses".  The more you weigh carefully the positive and negative aspects of your choices, the better choices you will make.  The thing that always jumps out at me is that we are such creatures of habit. We love what we know and are used to. With a little bit of effort though, we can change what we are used to.  Our tastes adapt. We have the power to make that happen.  Even with our children.  I use far less (nearly no) butter than my mother did. When I make brown rice for my kids, they actually LIKE olive oil better than butter because it is what they are used to.  I stopped eating mayo a few years ago and the taste actually repels me now.

    Our generation is living longer than any other.  We are also the most obese.  Our portion sizes have ballooned to ridiculous and we have manufactured food  that doesn't exist in nature.  We have the choice as to what will be our "norm".  

   Next time you grocery shop, try to stay in the produce, meat and fish and fresh food areas. Frozen veggies are great but try to make that the only frozen thing you buy.  It is in the  grocery store that we shape the health of our diets and for what our children's "taste" and "norms" will be.  That is a powerful thing. Let's use that power in a positive way.

    It is freezing in NYC.  As I spoke of a few blogs ago, this is the time of year we are less motivated to get out there are train.  If you can just make yourself do a little bit, the payoffs in your energy level and mood will make it easier to do a little more tomorrow.  Remember that it is lifestyle we are after.  Making small and CONSISTENT decisions to better ourselves is the secret. Hang in there and reach out for support and support the people in your life.