Nothing feels as good as...

Every once in a while, I read an article that just gets my veins throbbing. And a blog post is usually close behind that experience...

Today on msn.ca, Philadelphia Life & Wellness Coach, Kelly Bliss, was featured in a story, telling you all to abandon your diets. "You can't have good self care if you hate yourself," Kelly espouses. She says that the problem is not the weight, and that the "war on obesity" is not the answer.

So are here my thoughts on the subject, now that I've calmed down...

First of all, I believe in self-love. Neither hate of others nor self-hate can be the precursor for personal growth, self-development, and positive outcomes.

But second of all, being overweight is not pretty, it's not healthy, it's not easy on you, and it doesn't make you feel good about yourself.

It is also not your fault. It is the fault of the food processing industry, and the fast-food establishments, restaurants and convenience stores of the world. They make fortunes when they appeal to a combination of the following five human weaknesses:

1. Time: No one has any time any more. Food manufacturers know that you will buy almost anything that is quick and easy, in your efforts to be more productive with your time.
2. Knowledge Part 1: No one can be an expert on every topic. I don't know how to fix a car. I don't know how to put in a new outlet for my home phone. I don't know how to sew my own clothing. Do you know enough about nutrition and it's effect on the body? How do you learn more? What you don't know is hurting you.
3. Knowledge Part 2: Very few of us know anything about what is going on in the food industry, nor do we realize what's in our food, what decisions the government and food manufacturers are making about our food supply, or who runs what... Is your trust mis-placed? (to learn more, go to http://www.thefutureoffood.com/ )
4. The Yumminess Factor: Everyone likes to eat things that taste good. Since you were born, you've been savouring food you like, and spitting out food you don't like. You might say that your palate runs you, or that you make all of your food decisions based on how things taste. If you knew where some of those yummy flavours were coming from, and what processed food is actually doing to you, you would think twice before allowing taste to exclusively dictate your choice of foods.
5. Frugality: We all want to get the most for our money. Would it surprise you to know that a restaurant's most economical way to get your attention is to increase their portion sizes? That's cheaper for them than hiring more staff, buying better quality ingredients, renovating, increasing their advertising, or moving to a better location. But do you need all that food?

So imagine yourself as a food manufacturer. Take these five areas, on which you have become expert, and manipulate them to your satisfaction.

You, my dear hungry person, are simply a pawn in the chess game of food manufacturers.

You have the choice to put foods on your plate that are fresh, alive, and whole. Or you can choose to place foods there that are packaged, seasoned, genetically modified, controlled, and chemically treated.

Therein lies the mystery of weight gain. Take back your power by manipulating those five areas in your own best interests.

As for exercise, of course the human body is meant to move. Move it often and freely; don't let yourself become sedentary. And don't let being overweight and self-conscious stop you from enjoying the activities of life. Start today to love yourself back to a healthy diet and the longevity you deserve.

And if you need a coach who has been there and done that, one who has completely changed her eating, her activity levels, and her physique, please write to billiesinclair@mybodywise.org.

I just know that you can Get Your Body Back...Billie