Letting Weight be the Defining Factor for Life

“Even good things can become negative when we let them define us.” – Shaun Alexander

The last several weeks have taken me through a green smoothie experience that shows in my body and in my attitude. Dropping nine pounds in 4 weeks without counting calories or pushing an exercise regimen would count as good in the eyes of most anyone. My issue comes when I begin to let the food drive the bus.

One of the best things I learned from the Green Smoothie Queens is that it is NOT about recipes or following a plan. It has to be about making better choices for life.

Tips for Making Better Life and Food Choices

1. Be honest – I discovered that I had more energy and felt better when I was sticking to almost all raw foods. The occasional meal out with family or friends made very little impact on that feeling. It was only after the detox was over and I fell back into the pattern of eating pizza, ice cream and cereal that my body started to drag. For the first time in over a month I experienced a migraine headache. The next morning I had to present the facts – with the green smoothie detox offerings I enjoyed my meals AND felt better. Outside of that eating style my body was quickly out of whack.

2. Be creative – I enjoy pizza and ice cream and potato chips. On the service there may be nothing wrong with those foods, but underneath my body has to deal with the preservatives and additives. I told my family that I was ready to jump into compromise AND to get them to help. We are going to use some of the recipes from the green smoothie detox and tweak them to fit our family. Instead of traditional spaghetti sauce, I will use the raw spaghetti sauce for lasagna and spaghetti (made with whole wheat pastas). The side dishes for dinners will incorporate the veggie dishes inspired by smoothies and other raw recipes. I even have plans to design a great pizza that the whole family can enjoy.

3. Be prepared – choosing better may not be the fastest path or the easiest path. It may require more prep work or more shopping or even growing your own garden. I have discovered that those investments are worth it if I know that my head and my body will continue to thank me tomorrow.

The food will NOT define me. Green smoothies, raw foods, fruits and vegetables are not my life. I am healthy. I am happy. I am choosing better for me and for my family for life – not for a diet.

Share a time when you struggled with good things become negative because they took over. What did you do to make a change and to choose better?