Hello everyone! 2018 is finally here! A lot has happened in the last year and 2017 was definitely a rollercoaster in many aspects of my life. With the New Year’s resolutions lists being made, to the this years budget being planned, folks are welcoming the new year with open minds and fresh beginnings. On the top of many people’s list is losing weight and eating better. I think at one time or another, we have been determined to drop those extra holiday pounds and fit into our favorite jeans again, or just strive to get healthier by eating better. Cutting out fast food, eliminating sweets, cutting back on our regular can of soda with our afternoon lunch, alcohol consumption or perhaps giving up our favorite latte on the way to work in the morning, have been a few methods attempted by many. I for one, have tried them all. The outcome? Well, I triumphed in some areas a fell short in others.

My biggest weaknesses were (and still are) sugary sweets and flavored coffees (more sugar). We don’t eat a lot of fast food in our house, because I literally cook dinner every night, like most mothers and wives across the planet. Soda is a rarity and alcohol consumption is a social ice breaker and is an occasional enjoyment for our family. But, caramel vanilla lattes, peppermint mocha hot chocolate (so good!) , cinnamon crumble doughnuts or a batch of fresh baked cookies speaks volumes to the vulnerable mass of sugar lovers around the world. I love having a delicious hot cup of my favorite coffee, first thing in the morning, and occasionally in the evening (especially seasonal holiday edition flavors). Those empty calories and sugar grams are usually the ones we don’t even think twice about or suspect that enhance our waistlines. The sugar alone in those decadent creamers or flavored syrups, is over the recommended daily intake. There are numerous websites that can supply the information on these findings. I never realized my sugar intake, until I actually looked at all the labels of everything I was eating or drinking for a day. It was astonishing!

There are other factors that also play a part in those sneaky pounds, staying clumped to the back of our thighs or hiding underneath that oversized shirt. Daily caloric intake, carbohydrates, fats, and our daily activity (or exercise). I once was told by a co-worker that the thought of even going to the gym, gave them anxiety. It was a strange comment to make, at the time I thought, but made a little more sense after hearing their thoughts on it. Countless people trying to lose weight have self image issues. Going to a place to help you change and transform your body sounds great…well until you get there. Men and women with beautiful physiques strut around and perform their workout routines effortlessly, in tightly clad fitness “outfits”. (and yes they are outfits, for either gender) Just trying to get the correct exercise form down or feeling embarrassed when working with a personal trainer, because you can’t do 20 push ups, is not only nerve racking, but can be humiliating for some. When we don’t feel comfortable in the environment that we are in, it can be challenging to achieve our goals. Exercise is a very important step in helping us shed those unwanted pounds and maintain weight loss. Diet, however, is even more important. Just making a few key changes in what we eat, can make a significant change in our health.

This week’s topic, will be a 3 part blog on discussing different approaches to our dietary choices and what is right for the lifestyles we live. Whether you’re a busy mom, on the go student, retired or are just a workaholic, there are diet choices we can make that will benefit people from all backgrounds. Having the will power to “journei” down that path is the hardest part. I welcome you to submit any ideas or feedback on this topic as it is discussed over the next few weeks. If you would like to guest post on my blog, please send me an email at journeibeyond@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from ya!

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash