I know I should eat right, but...

How many times have you started a thought this way, and then finished with some reason that prevented you from accomplishing just that? The reason may or may not have been valid, and it really does not matter, as the end result is the same. Eating well takes planning and work, just like everything else worth doing. We put our time towards all kinds of pursuits: work, family, school, relaxation. Why not put time into educating ourselves about appropriate diet and then following through? You will need to plan ahead and possibly take food along when you are on the go, but isn't your long-term health worth it? Say to yourself, "I am worth a healthy diet", and start today!

Why Do I Crave Carbs At 10 AM?

This is a common scenario, especially for those of us that work. Let me explain why this happens. Your body goes through an overnight fast (unless there was a midnight raid on the fridge). In the morning, you are in a hurry to get to work and maybe get the kids off to school, so you hand them a Pop Tart and orange juice and either grab one for yourself or get a much more healthy bagel (that was a joke). This "meal", full of highly processed simple carbohydrates, causes your blood sugar to sky-rocket. In response, your pancreas produces insulin to get things back under control. The insulin spike causes your blood sugar to plummet and voila, your body tells you that it needs fuel, and fast, due to the low sugar. It also tells you to eat carbs to correct the problem, which is why you proceed to the break room on the hunt for doughnuts, sticky buns, or another bagel. This continues throughout the day, week after week, and year after year, until you are overweight and begin to develop related health problems. Insulin resistance develops following this type of eating pattern as the body attempts to protect itself from the chronically elevated insulin level. Bringing things back into balance requires planning. Meals need to be balanced with regard to protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber. Eating low glycemic foods and plenty of fiber will decrease the blood sugar rise and mute the insulin response. Plan your meals like you plan other aspects of your life. You will look great and feel even better.

3 Ideas For This Weekend

Take time to increase your activity level! It's more effective than any pill for improving your mood, sleep, and energy level. If exercise came in a pill, everyone would want it. And yet, it is so easy to do. You do not need to participate in organized exercise to receive the benefits. Here are 3 ideas. One, take a WALK. Enjoy nature or the city, increase your heart rate, and work your leg muscles. They are the largest muscles in the body and if you work those, you will receive maximum cardiovascular benefit from the exercise. Two, PLAY. If you have kids or a dog, play with them. If you don't, play with a friend (frisbee, tennis, Wii, something that makes you move). If you are by yourself,join a club that is involved in a physical activity. Three, CLEAN house or wash your car. I wore my heart rate monitor when I mopped once, and it reported that I used 200 calories. You will have a cleaner house or car and have logged some exercise time. You do not have to participate in a formal exercise program to reap the benefits. So, WALK, PLAY, and, CLEAN today!