FITNESS PET-PEEVES!

I am happy to report that my holiday house guests are now gone!  While we had a fantastic time together, like the famous Ben Franklin quote says, "guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days!"  LOL!  (Forgive me boys ;-)  During their visit we had some great conversations, one of which was about healthy eating.  My friends are in amazing shape.  We're talking young, radiant, and beautiful!  I'd be only too happy to be in the shape they are in, yet like so many fit people I've come to know, they are guilty of some of my biggest pet peeves!

I am an advocate for natural foods.  I believe in eating as many whole foods as I can get my hands on.  When I do buy packaged foods, I am an avid label reader searching for products with the fewest total ingredients, and eliminating items that have artificial sweeteners, corn by-products, and hydrogenated oils.  I buy as many organic foods as I can, and tend to gravitate toward smaller, independent, brands more so than the conglomerate food companies.  I buy produce at my local farmer's market and remain adamant about finding sustainable fish, grass-fed beef, and free-range chicken.  Yes, it gets expensive...but it's pay now or pay later!  You will not find a single product in my house that contains High Fructose Corn Syrup.  In fact, if someone is requesting a soda, it is likely I am handing them a bottle of Coca-Cola from Mexico that is made with cane sugar.  If you can not tell, I am passionate about eating natural food and feel very strongly that the synthetic, corn based, over-processed, diets of most Americans is contributing to the high instance of Obesity, Diabetes, Cancer, and other health related problems we see in this nation.  It has become a bit of a platform for me.  People need to get smarter about what they are putting into their bodies- worrying less about looks and more about nutrition.  Get educated on the matter and start shopping with more of a discerning eye, because if you think our government is protecting us and keeping us healthy- think again!

I used to work at a gym and I think one of the most irritating things I would witness was individuals who would kill themselves working out for two hours, then ten minutes later be sucking down a "health" drink that contained more artificial ingredients than a piece of plastic.  How is that good health?!?  I call these folks the "superficial health nuts," because it always seemed like they were willing to put anything into their bodies as long as it promised a slimmer you!  They'd sell their souls for flatter abs never once being concerned with whether or not they are actually feeding their bodies the nutrition needed to have energy, make repairs, and stave off disease.  I never could figure out why someone that buff was so intimidated by the 15 calories that might be found in a teaspoon of real sugar?  After all, the number one side affect of working out is the ability to metabolize calories!   These folks are eliminating from their diet things like fresh fruit and carrots for fear of sugar conversion, and replacing it with packets of Equal, butter substitutes that resemble tubs of yellow Cool Whip, and meal replacement snacks that have a shelf-life of five years!  Putting all health concerns aside, who the h*ll in their right mind wants to live this way!?!  You can't have an egg with a yolk in it?!  You're throwing away the lecithin and healthy omega-3 fats!  You can't have a grain of rice or some orange juice when you spend two hours at the gym every day?!?  Gimme a break!

Here's my philosophy, eat as many vitamin-rich whole fruits and vegetables as you can get your hands on, limit processed and starchy foods, and don't sweat things like carrots or orange juice because I guarantee that's the least of your worries!  Everybody wants to look good, but at the end of the day we eat for a reason- to nourish and replenish.  Ask yourself if you are putting better fuel in your car, or your body?  Do you have your priorities right when it comes to your health and fitness plan?  I ask myself these questions every day.  I am committed to making the necessary changes.  I know my friends left pledging to do the same.  I'm so fired up about it that you get two quotes today!

-As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists.  -Joan Gussow


-Did you ever stop to taste a carrot?  Not just eat it, but taste it?  You can't taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie.  -Astrid Alauda