Since I wrote last February, I am hovering around 2 pounds lighter than I was then. It seems this year the word is “hovering”. I’m not going up drastically or going down fast, but it is a gradual trend downward, hovering on the next pound or two lower for awhile, then going down another pound or two. At least it is a general downward trend.

I am exercising; and with the isolation order in effect when I can’t get to the gym, I am actually exercising more. I do two exercise videos a day (total of about 40-60 minutes) and walk about an hour, getting in about 8,000 to 8,500 steps a day. I take one day off a week to give my body some rest.

I am feeling led to write more about the diet and exercise experience to help others reach their goals. The well-known motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, often said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” There is nothing more rewarding than to see others reach the potential that God has set for them and to know you had a part in helping them get there.

“Think about yourself and your thoughts stay there.
Think about others and your thoughts can go everywhere.” (Marilynn Lester)

I want to set my thoughts on other people and see how I can help them, see life through their eyes, but bring them around to an outlook that will bring life, health and happiness.

So, I guess the place to start is with diet since that is a necessity in everyone’s life. We have to have food to exist. And God knew that when He said when He created the world, that to “everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” (Genesis 1:30) Later He gave the animals also as food. The problem with the food today is all the chemicals that have gone into it and all the processing that has taken any beneficial nutrients out.

I don’t believe in cutting out anything that is a natural food but avoid processed meat and refined flour and sugar. This would include all my favorites like pies, cakes, cookies, and basically most desserts. (There are healthy alternatives which are tastier and better for you. More about that later.)

Include all fruits and vegetables in proper proportions. The Food and Drug Administration has put out a healthy “plate” to illustrate the right proportions. Half the plate should be fruits and vegetables, a quarter of the plate is healthy protein, and a quarter of the plate whole grains or starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn and peas. Then, you also need to have add your dairy and healthy fats. It’s as simple as that.

Portion control will make the difference, but more about that in my next blog. Right now, focus on cutting out refined sugar and flour and processed meat and you will be off to a good start.