New Year's Resolutions and Weight Control

As my family and I watched the ball drop on Times Square, I was shocked at the number of weight loss commercials! I guess since I am promoting those behaviors all year long, I forget about the New Year's rush to set health and weight loss goals. 

In general I am not a big fan of resolutions as they seem to be promises to ourselves that are too hard to keep. That being said, seeing all of those commercials made me reflect on my own family's eating habits over the holiday break and it made me want to make some New Year's resolutions of my own.

In the classes that I teach, we are delighted when families check in after the holidays and their weight stayed the same. That is success! But in order to maintain that progress, we need to talk about what to do now that the holidays are over - and these are things I did in my own house.

I cleaned out my refrigerator and cupboards. I could not believe how many red lights had found their way into our house! It felt so good to pull out the trash can and just dump it.

I sat down with my calendar and made an exercise plan. 
I had been particularly inactive over the holidays and needed to get moving. Next, I did it with my kids and made sure we all had an activity planned for everyday.

I made a grocery list (with my kids) and went shopping.
I stocked up on fruits and vegetables and purchased a lot of chicken and flank steak that I marinated and froze for future use. I also planned the following week of meals.

I would like to say that I do this every week (as I suggest to the families I work with) but it is hard! Regardless, it was a great way to start the New Year and get the family on track for a healthy 2013!

Happy New Year.

Marketing: A Soda by Any Other Name is Still a Soda!

Marketing is fascinating. It amazes me how companies can get consumers to purchase their products based on misleading information that specifically appeals to the target audience's beliefs and concerns.

I will never forget when the "water infused with vitamins" came on the market. It was advertised hat it would give me more energy with natural vitamins and minerals. I thought "wow, that is so cool". It appealed to my health conscious self that was also a tired mom of 3. I picked it up, turned it over, only to find out it had as many calories and sugar as a sports drink and soda. This was probably 8 years ago. This "water" is still on the market and educated, health conscious people still buy this product for what it appears to be. When I work with families and we learn how to read labels, I always pull this drink out and kids and parents are always shocked.

This post was prompted by some kids I heard talking at school last week. A student had a "sparkling juice" (let's call it a Buzzee) in her lunch and came running, with her friend, in to the office saying her "Buzzee had been stolen!" "What is a Buzzee?" a teacher asked. At exactly the same time one child said soda and the other said juice.

I was in my office and I laughed to myself but I did not get involved though I wanted to yell "It is a SODA! They are trying to trick you and your parents!" But I didn't.

Since companies don't care about our health, it is up to us to educate ourselves and learn how to read and understand labels. I want people to know what they are eating and drinking. Fine, pack your child a Buzzee, but please don't pretend it is a healthy choice - it is a SODA!
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