My approach to getting healthy

I'm a full time mom who is changing her attitudes towards healthy living. Working from the inside out, I am identifying destructive behaviors, analyzing them, and changing them. I started out weighing around 289 lbs and am working my weigh to 159 or lower. Much of my success is owed to the inspiring blogs in my side bar. I am a Unitarian Universalist aspiring to gain more compassion for and understanding of the world around us.   Here is my philosophy on healthy living:


Eat less, move more is the simple answer.

Weigh often, daily if you like. Knowledge is power. Be aware of the trends.

Read labels. I avoid trans fats to prevent cholesterol and I avoid artificial colors because of headaches and behavior issues.

I read, read, read blogs, books, magazines to learn more.

I try to recognize and deal with emotional issues attached to food.

After much practice, I generally follow Geneen Roth's guidelines for a healthy relationship with food:

•Eat when you are hungry
•Eat sitting down in a calm environment. This does not include the car.
•Eat without distractions. Distractions include radio, television, newspapers, books, intense or anxiety-producing conversations or music.
•Eat what your body wants.
•Eat until you are satisfied.
•Eat (with the intention of being) in full view of others.
•Eat with enjoyment, gusto and pleasure.

Exercise intentionally every day for at least 20 minutes.
 - Power walking, Wii Fit, Walk It Out (Wii), swimming . . . Move!!
 I've als participated in the 200 squats and 200 situps challenges - there are links to them on my "online tools" page if you're interested in joining me. I stopped due to an injury and intend to get back to it some day soon. I am also looking to do some 5K walks and recently downloaded C25K for my iPod.