Look at it, it even looks like a drug. Like those illicit drugs that you were taught to stay away from because they could kill you. How come no one ever warned us to stay away from SUGAR, the worst of them all!! Would you believe that it is more addictive than cocaine?

Today I want to talk about the importance of caring for your health, for this physical body that your spirit inhabits. I used to think that the formula for losing weight was simply calories in, calories out. I heard it so much that it is a mantra. After watching Fed Up I now know it is not that simple. With over 80% of the American population overweight or obese, there is something that is going on with our food supply. But as I acquire knowledge I know that it is time to make some changes and take control of my health and I hope you will do the same. While I am no health expert, and don’t profess to be, I know that our consumption of food is killing us. Affecting our health in ways we cannot even imagine. Let me share my story.

Reading The Body Book

As I crossed the threshold of 40, my body changed. What I needed to eat, changed. I became more sensitive to sulfates and dyes. My skin is easily irritated by many products, as is my digestive system. Foods I used to eat without a thought, now cause me gas and indigestion, like bread. I have to exercise much harder to even lose a pound. Autoimmune disorders and back issues plague my life. And let’s not discuss how my hormones are wrecking havoc with my system. If you aren’t there yet, just keep living and you too will have this joyful experience. I also struggle to keep other illness at bay as well. So I wanted answers. I have been to many doctors, a different one for each disturbance and have been prescribed many pills as is the American medical system way. I am not a pill popper, so I have rejected almost all of them except when I am in pain. I have tried conventional diets, with limited to little success. That’s when I really started looking at what I ate. It seemed so easy to change, and anyone who knows me, knows how hard I try to eat healthy, but my weight has crept up anyway. My voracious reading has led me to The Body Book by Cameron Diaz (body chemistry), The 10-Day Detox Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman (diet) and Screaming to be Heard by Dr. Elizabeth Lee Vliet (hormones). I was also introduced to the Paleo way of eating by my sister and I love it! I am really trying to follow it and eliminate as much sugar from my diet as possible. It’s hard though because sugar is in everything. But since reducing my sugar consumption, I have lost 5 pounds over the past 2 weeks. Doesn’t seem like much, but to me it was a small victory. I am telling you so you will keep me accountable as I embark on this journey and this new relationship with sugar. Please say a prayer for me while you are at it. 🙂

So let’s talk about 5 things I did and things you can do too, starting today, to begin your own healthy transformation: 

1. You have to arm yourself with knowledge. Find out the facts about what foods you should be eating. Certain foods affect you differently. For me I know that bread bloats me, even whole wheat bread. I don’t have a gluten intolerance allergy, but wheat just affects me negatively and I love bread! Maybe for you it is dairy or the extra sugar in all of the diet drinks, low fat and fat free foods you think you should be eating. Figure out what makes you feel good by doing a detox and then slowly adding back in certain foods.

2. Cook your own food. Minimize eating out as much as you can. You have no control over what is put in your food when you eat out. There is so much hidden sugar and salt in restaurant and fast foods. They don’t tell you that they makes their sauces creamy with high fat cream or sugar. How do you think they make it taste so good?

3. Engage in mindful eating, knowing why you are eating. Eat for hunger and fuel and not just because you are bored or distracted. Pay attention to when you eat. Are you eating every 3-4 hours or starving yourself all day and then eating a large meal. Your digestive system has to work much larger to break down a large meal so don’t overwork it. Don’t mindlessly eat in front of the TV or at your desk at work. I am guilty of this. I am going to try to eat at a table and have a conversation with a friend just like in the old days before TV, Internet, or Smart phones. What a novel idea!

4. Be mindful of portion size. This is hard, especially given that we have been raised to eat large portion sizes in America. Super size this and super size that. Use a saucer or smaller plate so you can control your portions better and don’t heap it full but put what the plate will comfortably hold. This graphic will help you remember. 

5. Do a cleanse before you start. Rid your body of the wastes that may be trapped in your digestive track. It is as awful as it sounds. Doing a gentle cleanse will make you feel so much better and you will notice changes in your weight right away. It will also rid your body of toxins before you start eating healthy. Stay away from crack, I mean sugar, as much as possible.

So consider this…

Fed Up Movie

Even if you are at your ideal weight, how do you feel? If you are feeling great, then I am so happy you do and you should continue what you are doing. But if not, consider making some changes. Also if you have a son, daughter, family member or friend who you know who may be struggling with weight, maybe this can help them. Look at the incidences of cancer in our lives, auto immune disorders, and a whole host of illnesses that can be attributed to dietary issues that we can control. Take a look at what you have in your pantry and make some changes. Commit to eating as healthy as you can most of the week. I know it is hard, because I am doing it myself, but it could save your life and it will make you feel so great. I love you and I hope that you will watch Fed Up and learn all you can about what you need to do to make some changes today. Take care of you and the only body you will ever have!

Tell someone you love about this post and get them to watch the movie and join the #FedUpRevolution!