Sweater Weather!

That's right guys and gals...go ahead and break 'em out.  Temperatures are dropping as spirits lift.  I, for one, think we ALL look marvelous in more clothing.  Now is the time when peeps are needing a little something extra to warm their bods.  Guess what this can lead to?  You guessed it, CREEPIN'.  I don't mean peeping tom action, I mean getting more relaxed and finding larger pants and XL sweaters to cover some questionable foodie decisions.

We all know, for warmer temps we need to shed the layers otherwise we'll pass out in the heat.  But as the temps fall and the frost appears, we get to hide...er wrap ourselves in yummy warmness.  I'm not suggesting you freeze your savvy booties in midriffs in November.

I will, however, insist you stay fit and savvy through the next few months.  Otherwise, you'll likely regain control of your senses and find yourself hoofin' it with the others on Jan. 2, 2013...at the gym.  There is NO need to beat yourself up (and down) at the beginning of the new year.

Start your resolutions NOW and stay strong.  There is no reason to let yourself go simply because you're celebrating.  Ask any fit and savvy person what the secret to their success is and I'll bet you'll hear "90/10" as the answer.  90% of the time they are eating sensibly and 10% they eat what they want.  This is the key to long term weight management.  Let yourself off the hook some of the time, but not all the time.

I have found it INCREDIBLY beneficial to follow these rules:

1- If you don't have the time, don't do the crime.  If I know I can't make it to the gym for a few days, I will make sure I watch it.
2- Fail to plan, plan to fail.  I know I'm going to the fam's for dinner and they usually don't have savvy options.  I make sure to eat before I arrive. I can achieve this by means of a protein packed green smoothie.  This can help me avoid making unsavvy decisions.
3- Give up the processed non-food, food.  Eat 'treats' I have personally made and KNOW what they contain.
4- Enjoy your "90/10".  I like what I eat.  The '90' is creative and tasty.  The '10' is savored.  Savvy eating is not depriving at all.  One has to get used to the way certain foods taste that contain less fat, salt, sugar, etc.  But it's all good.

This Fall leading into the Holiday season will not change my eating patterns.  I just have to stay savvy and eat in keeping with my goals.  I have worked so hard to get back into my skinny jeans and I'm not going back.  I love my sweaters and I can't wait to stay strong this season.

When did husky become the norm?

http://www.mtv.com/shows/i_used_to_be_fat/series.jhtml

There's a show on MTV called "I used to be Fat".  The show is clearly aimed at overweight teens.  Brilliant idea since childhood obesity is on the rise at a staggering level.  Google the word 'childhood' and the first link that pops up links you to 'childhood obesity'!  This truly breaks my heart.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has the ugly truth.  "Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States - triple the rate from just one generation ago."  Is it because kids are too busy on Facebook and not running around outside?  Is it really McDonald's fault?  I mean what the hek is going on?

Even Mrs. Obama is aiming her efforts at this frightening trend.  We're not just talking about kids who are going up a size.  Most of these young people are looking at very bleak futures riddled with disease, aches and pains they would not face if it were not for the fact that they're overweight.

How many times have you seen families with kids and it's obvious their apples didn't fall from the tree?

It's not hard to tell they're all drinking  the same Kool-Aid.  I think, in cases like these, the duty falls on the parents to support and encourage their youngsters.  Not all families are created alike and some family members are super thin, eat whatever they want and don't gain weight.  They may have children who will forever struggle to look like them, but no matter which diet they try or exercise regime they flirt with...it's just not in the cards for them to be naturally thin.  However, if you as a parent have struggled with your weight and you see your child with the same build and same struggles....do something FOR THEIR SAKE!!!

In the episode of "I used to be fat", Josh's entire family was naturally thin and he was not.  He admitted that he did not want to diet because he enjoyed eating the same foods as the rest of his family.  Dieting, to him, was too hard and he'd rather 'feel good' and eat the double cheeseburger with his brothers.  Who can blame him?

But he found himself, at age 18, weighing in at 318 pounds.  He made losing the weight a priority and he succeeded.  Guess what one of the keys to his success was, MAKING SAVVY FOOD CHOICES!  Additionally he also made exercise a part of his daily life.  His parents were 110% behind him and were beyond thrilled their son exceeded everyone's expectations.

It's not rocket science and you don't need a master's degree to understand that every thing you eat will have some type of effect on your body.  That's why it's crucial, non-negotiable to make savvy choices about what you put into your mouth.  If you have children, there's no excuse in the world that will let you off the hook when it comes to helping your children make savvy choices, either.  We need to do something.  We need to look ourselves square in the eye and realize we have the power to reverse this trend.