Reading your food diary

Hi. How did you do on your food diary? I waited a bit longer, just in case you needed more time!

Take a look at your diary and circle all the sugary foods you took in. Like cake, pies, cookies, candy, pizza, you get the idea.

Ask yourself, "Did I have a fruit before I ate any of these?" Our body asks for sugar, yet in times of stress, we often give it the wrong kind of sugar.

So, eat a fruit before you have that other stuff.

Try it this week.

Keep up the good work!

Linda :)

The dreaded FOOD DIARY!

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I despise (a.) counting calories and (b.) doing a food diary. If I have to do one or the other, I would rather do (b.) because it gives me way more information about my EATING HABITS. And isn't that what we are trying to illuminate, here?

Doing a food diary will keep you honest, accountable and your head out of the clouds. Period. If you don't write down that extra piece of pie or candy, you are already shooting yourself in the foot.

For the next 7 days, starting today, write down everything you eat: From BREAKFAST, to a SNACK, to LUNCH, to another SNACK, to DINNER, and maybe just a little, SNACK an hour or two before bedtime. Write down EVERYTHING, no matter what it is. The more honest you are, the more you are going to get out of doing this exercise.

Don't worry if you mess up; I'm not reading it personally. Check my blog in a week, and I will tell you how to read your food diary.

See you in a week! :)
Linda

Hello, Friends and Families!

Happy Labor Day!

Today marks the beginning of our 4-month adventure together. You can enjoy the harvest of fall and the celebrations of the holiday season--all while eating healthier and starting a fitness routine that sticks!

And we have a friend who can help us do just that...

Meet Rat Ravenous. He loves to eat, yet he's determined to skateboard his way to health by exercising and eating right. Here's how he does it:

He remembers the first three letters from his name (R-A-T) when he starts to feel bad, sad or just really, really icky about not eating right or not moving his body.

Then, he remembers what each letter stands for (in his mind): Reaction, Action and Traction. Because this helps him remember what to do, no matter where he is, he can always ask himself these questions:

REACTION: How did I react when I ate too much or made poor food choices?

(Why: This helps RAT identify feelings he's been ignoring and stuffing down with food.)

ACTION: What action can I do to make it better?

(Why: RAT need to do something with these feelings, or he'll stuff them down again.)

TRACTION: Where am I skating to success, and where am I still falling off my skateboard?

(Why: RAT needs to pat himself on the back once and awhile, so he can start feeling better about himself and his good choices. But he also knows it is important to figure out what ELSE he needs to do, so he can balance himself better and not keep falling off his skateboard!)

Rat Ravenous knows that his RAT formula is a quick way to evaluate his situation, so he can follow through with his plan of action!

Want to give it a try? Next time you find yourself eating too much, too fast, and even too mindlessly, (where did your brain go?) use RAT's formula.

Next time, RAT will tell you a secret that keeps him balanced...