Organic Grapes photo courtesy sxc.hu

I can’t speak for other parts of the world, but America has really screwed up generations of girls, just like myself. While I am now a woman, the little girl inside of me is still there. I would dare to say that this is true of most women in this world.

I battled for years with the desire to be “skinny” and the search for the next diet, exercise, pill or liquid fast that would get me there, and suffice it to say that nothing worked. Nothing.

I’m not alone. Millions of women have the same problem as I, so it can’t simply be willpower, can it? Sure, willpower gets your butt in gear and on the move, but there is something more to it. And no, it’s not a wish to simply avoid my contributions to the problem, not at all.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, “in 2007-2008, the prevalence of obesity was 32.2% among adult men and 35.5% among adult women.”  This means that, combined, over 60% of adults are obese in America!  Yowza!

Recent obesity research has found that it doesn’t matter what “diet” you follow to reach your goal weight, what is required is that energy expenditure (i.e. exercise, movement, etc.) exceeds energy input (gulping down that Big Mac!)

Some of the common attributes of those who have maintained their weight loss are:

• Monitoring themselves by weighing in at least every week
• Exercising one hour every day (I don’t remember the intensity required)

That’s kind of depressing, isn’t it? Well, it is if you don’t choose to make a lifestyle change rather than going on and off a “diet.”  But if you decide to learn how to eat differently and become more active, it will seem as natural to you as your existing diet is now.

In a previous post I discussed what high fructose corn syrup does to your body. Not only does it “go straight to your hips,” it also leaves you nutrient starved. Your body is in a struggle for it’s life, and the only thing it knows to do when it’s starved for nutrients is to send a signal to your brain to “feed me!”  And as you can see, we do feed it! Eating a nutrient dense variety of foods then, by it’s very nature would allow you to consume fewer calories yet feel completely satisfied.

I love to eat. Period.  If you do as well, then we’ve got a choice to make. Either we do what’s required of us and make the changes, or we continue on the path we’re on and slowly make our way to a miserable ending that could have possibly been avoided.

After scouring throughout the known universe (tee-hee) and searching out my own conscience, I determined that I would follow the Eat to Live plan set out by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.  This is a vegetarian/vegan way of eating that speaks to me. I had no problem at all quitting the animal products. None. What is hard, however, is limiting the grains to one serving per day.  I love my bread! Another issue that I’ve got to get hold of is caffeine and salt. I love both of them, and Fuhrman’s plan requires letting both of them go. Ouch!

Dr. Fuhrman sets out a six week challenge that is intense, and states that you could lose up to 25 pounds in about six weeks time. I like that idea! LOL  After the challenge, the eating restrictions (and weight loss) are loosened up a bit, but still mostly vegetarian.  Not everyone can go completely vegetarian or vegan, but if you limit your meat consumption (after the six week challenge) you can still derive benefits from this plant based (nutrient dense) way of eating.

If you decide to follow this plan you can expect that the more lousy your existing diet, the more lousy you will fill for up to two weeks. If you do, then remember this is a good thing! That means your body is doing a good job ridding itself of the toxins within it’s cells.

You don’t have to go it alone, though. There are many online communities dedicated to this way of living. Some good ones are:

Peertrainer

and

Sparkpeople

If you are currently part of an online community, check with them, I’ll bet at least one person is either eating this way, or know where you can find more information about it!  As the French are fond of saying…”Bon appetit!”

Now,  for the uninformed, which I was until I perused said sites, there is a difference between a vegetarian and a vegan.  Who knew?  For years I thought that vegan was just “short” for vegetarian!

A vegetarian is someone who abstains from eating meat. A vegan takes that idea a step further and refuses to eat meat or any products from animals, including eggs, milk, cheese and even honey.

The vegan, or at least what I’ll call an “ethical” vegan, chooses not to contribute to the horrific (and they are) practices of meat producers. The unnatural way that the animals are treated on large industrial farms is a travesty. For example, chickens are kept from pursuing their natural urge to peck by having their beaks cut short, and cows are not allowed to roam freely as they have in times past.

It is believed that cow’s milk is intended for baby cows, not baby (or grown) humans!  I think it’s an interesting thought, and given the years of “training” I’ve received about the so called “virtues” of consuming milk, I have to wonder if the researchers who discount said “virtues” don’t have it right.  After all, the lovely posters that were plastered all over the school lunchroom were created by the USDA, which has a conflict of interest as far as I’m concerned. They are supposed to represent agricultural interests AND consumers?  What if the interest of the two are not the same?

Some people choose to become vegan because of their health. When they start eating a plant based diet, they start to realize how much better they feel, and the energy that they gain, not to mention the diseases that they avoid.

A large study, conducted on peoples living in China, has indicated that the more meat products in an individual’s diet, the more likely they are to contract chronic diseases.

If you have been feeling out of sorts lately, or you want to do everything within your power to avoid getting sick, then check out T. Colin Campbell’s book, The China Study, which tells all about this awesome research!

Girls, you can say what you want about the Miss America Pageant, but it is helping Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron with her educational opportunities. I don’t know how much $50,000.00 is going to put a dent in the high cost of higher education, but at least it will help!

While all of us can’t be Miss America, we can feel like her when we put our health at the top of our to do list. We get so busy, especially if we are moms, taking care of others in our lives. This is a great privilege, but it also takes a lot from us.

I know this is advice that we have all heard a million times, but it is more difficult to implement than it is to simply agree with.  But we have to get to the point where we actually believe it, deep down, rather than just intellectually.

We also have to have a plan. One of my favorite, much used sayings is “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This is so true, especially in my life. If I don’t have a plan, written down, I’ll spin my wheels all day long and accomplish little.

So with that thought in mind, the following ideas will help you get started on your “life improvement” plan.

1.  Start adding vegetables and fruits to each and every meal.  Eat them first, before you consume anything else.  By doing this, you will easily begin the process of eating a healthier diet.

2.  For each non-water beverage you consume, add a glass of water. If you hate the taste of water, add a lemon or lime to it, and you will gradually grow to crave it.

3.  Start a journal. You can speak into a recorder, blog online, or the old fashioned way, pen and paper. It doesn’t have to be every day, but be consistent. You will be surprised at what happens.

That’s it. Three simple things to get you started. You can add more if you like, but I prefer to keep it simple.